Chapter 230 No One Answered
Natalie’s POV:
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I didn’t know if it was my imagination, but his voice seemed to tremble, like he was scared to talk to me for too long.
Aaron said, “That’s right. I… I have to help Mr. Sanchez with some guests now. Got to go. Ms. Anderson, please don’t worry. I’m sure Mr. Sanchez will contact you very soon.”
“Aaron…” I wanted to press further, but he had already hung up quickly.
Looking at the call record on my phone-less than a minute long-my confusion reached its peak.
Was I just being insecure?
I had just arrived at the Scott Group when I saw a message in my team’s group
chat.
Someone had forwarded a gossip news link and tagged me, “Natalie, is this Mr. Sanchez? But isn’t that the woman from the engagement party next to him?”
Another replied, “Her name’s Victoria. I saw the news last time. It said she was a former host, and worked in entertainment but left. Now she’s some kind of charity livestreamer. But I thought she and Mr. Sanchez were done?”
The group chat was buzzing, and everyone was worried about me, constantly asking if that was Leonardo. If Leonardo and Victoria still had something going on, what should I do?
I was already unsettled about Leonardo. I barely read the messages. Seeing his name, I immediately clicked the link.
Within seconds, five intimate-looking photos filled the screen. I recognized Leonardo instantly.
The person in the photos was him and Victoria. There was a shot of them getting into the same car. Another of them was standing close to a hotel entrance at night. And one from the mountains, where they seemed to be holding hands or leaning in.
The photos were grainy, clearly taken from a distance like paparazzi shots. But they were clear enough to show Victoria was very familiar with the man. You couldn’t say the idea of a close relationship was completely unfounded.
My fingers trembled slightly as I scanned the news headline again. “Victoria’s New Charity
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Chapter 230 No One Answered
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Project Takes Her to Mountains with Mysterious Alpha. Old Flames Rekindled? His Stunning Profile Sparks Fan Frenzy!”
The internet had long speculated about the ex who made Victoria quit the industry. Now, this gossip piece naturally sparked a frenzy about Leonardo. He rarely appeared internationally. The Sanchez Group kept an extremely low profile. Even when he did appear, it was at top-tier international events, rarely splashed across tabloids.
Intimate photos of Victoria with a man were very rare, and of course, highly suggestive. Plus, Leonardo was exceptionally handsome. Even in blurry photos, his tall frame and that fleeting glimpse of his striking features were enough to eclipse any top male celebrity.
The world loved a perfect couple. Someone like Leonardo, who could stun people with just a side profile, drove netizens wild. Some people criticized Victoria for being lovesick, for giving up on her career so soon after restarting it. But more people thought it was understandable if the man was Leonardo. Plenty were even sending blessings, hoping the man would see Victoria’s worth and cherish her.
A dull roar filled
my
head.
It wasn’t the news or the comments that bothered me. Leonardo was on this trip with Victoria. Why had he never mentioned it to me?
And Aaron’s reaction just now… Did it mean…
Lily’s POV:
When I saw the message in the group chat, my heart sank. Someone had forwarded the gossip photos of Leonardo and Victoria and tagged Natalie.
I immediately tagged the person who posted it first and typed, “That’s not Mr. Sanchez. Don’t spread rumors and bother Natalie. Delete it now!”
I typed frantically, tagging her three times. She panicked, quickly deleting the message and sending several apologies.
We were a group of young women. We acted on impulse and were very direct. But we all genuinely cared about Natalie. After the engagement party, while we were all happy for her, given what she went through with Landon, the more perfect a man seemed, the more cautious we felt. Especially since Victoria had toasted them at the engagement party,
We all wanted Natalie to be happy. We didn’t want to see her get hurt again.
To be honest, Natalie had also warned herself at the start that the marriage alliance was just business. She shouldn’t let her heart get involved.
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Chapter 230 No One Answered
:
53
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She just never expected she wouldn’t be able to control her feelings. Faced with Leonardo’s sincerity and gentleness, she couldn’t help but respond with her own.
Natalie’s POV:
I returned to my office, my mind in turmoil.
I looked at my chat with Leonardo again and called his number one more time. No surprise, no one answered.
My chest felt tight and heavy. I sat at my desk but had no energy. My mind was flooded with images of Victoria and Leonardo.
Just then, the phone rang, pulling me back. I answered, said a few words, and hurried off to a meeting.
The Scott Group was about to launch a new drug, a project ten years in development and three years in testing. It was the team’s life’s work. In the coming days, inspectors would come to approve the final product, and international investors would arrive to sign contracts.
As the CEO of the Scott Group, I had to personally handle the reception and finalize the deals. The testing phase was critical, and it involved company secrets and drug safety.
During the meeting, I tried hard to focus, but my mind kept wandering.
I remembered when we parted. Leonardo held my hand and stressed we’d talk three times a day. He promised to come back as soon as possible. He told me to wait for him calmly.
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