Caught Him Cheating My Life Restarted (Natalie) novel Chapter 42

"You're telling me not to overthink it? Fine. Then what about the fake painting? What are you going to do about that?"

Marie was determined to nail Natalie to the wall, to make sure Hanley knew his mother was a thief!

"There's no proof the painting was switched, let alone any evidence that Natalie was the one who did it!"

Darren's tone was firm. Natalie looked at him. For the first time in a conflict between her and Marie, he had chosen to speak up for her.

Was it because she had secured the deal with the Fairchild Conglomerate?

Marie couldn't believe it. Darren was actually siding with Natalie. In the past, he would have criticized Natalie even if Marie had complained that the laundry wasn't clean enough or the food was too salty.

But today, over something this significant, he was defending Natalie.

"Darren, what are you trying to say? Are you saying I'm too stupid to tell a fake from a real painting, and that I deserved to be humiliated today?"

"No one is perfect. Even the most renowned experts in the art world have made mistakes. You don't need to dwell on it. What matters is that we sealed the deal with the Fairchild Conglomerate. The Cross Group is poised to reach new heights. Our objective was achieved, isn't that enough?"

Natalie let out a soft laugh. "Since you've achieved your goal, as a reward, how about you give me a cut of the assets as a bonus when we divorce?"

Natalie's words made Darren's expression grow even darker.

Her smile became more sardonic. Trying to please both sides and cheat at the same time—he was going to throw his back out if he wasn't careful.

"Natalie, that's enough!"

Darren shot her a warning look.

Victoria fumed, "Darren, if she wants a divorce, then give her one! She makes it sound like the Cross family is desperate to keep her. I only acknowledge Marie as our daughter-in-law. Someone like her, from the countryside, only brings shame to the Cross family!"

"The Cross family doesn't seem that afraid of shame!"

"Weren't they?"

Darren's gaze was intense, confident.

Natalie gave a hollow laugh. "Darren, you've helped me understand just how ridiculous unrequited feelings are. No wonder you never saw me all these years."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Enough pointless talk. I'll see you at the courthouse tomorrow morning at nine."

With that, Natalie turned and left, not even glancing back at Darren's dark, furious expression.

"Good riddance! It'll be quieter around here without her!"