The Ash Queen's Return: Reclaiming Her Crown novel Chapter 10

Hailey approached Natalie slowly, strutting gracefully in her high heels.

She was wearing a bright red dress with a very low, V-shaped neckline and had put on heavy makeup. She swirled the glass of red wine in her hand, a mocking smile on her face.

When she spoke, she deliberately raised her voice, prompting the surrounding guests to glance over.

"You're certainly a pro at seducing men, Nellie. You know it's best to start by winning over their children. It's a pity that Mr. Hurrell looks down on people like you."

Hailey finally found an opportunity to make a dig at Natalie.

How dare this damned bitch scheme against Audrey? As a result, Natalie was now the one who had leverage against them, leaving Hailey infuriated.

Natalie glanced coldly at her. "What's it to you? Are you also interested in Mr. Hurrell?"

"You… You're still as sharp-tongued as ever, Nellie."

Hailey then leaned closer to her and asked in a low voice, "However… Do you think you'll be able to worm your way into the Hurrell family by approaching that bastard child?"

Natalie narrowed her eyes and reflexively clenched her fists.

Hailey continued, "I advise you to spare yourself the effort. That bastard child's health is getting worse and worse. She probably doesn't have long to live. Mr. Hurrell has been—"

Hailey was interrupted by a loud slap to her face.

Natalia had put her full strength behind the slap, causing Hailey to stagger back a few steps and spill red wine all over herself.

"Natalie Lunsford! Have you gone insane?" Hailey screamed, cupping her face.

"If I ever hear you say something bad about Star again, I'll show you what true insanity is," Natalie declared slowly and clearly, her expression frighteningly cold.

The surrounding guests, attracted by the sudden commotion, cast them astonished looks.

Hailey's meticulously maintained social image crumbled in an instant. She kept her hand to her face, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Security! Drive this madwoman out immediately!" she yelled hysterically.

Natalie glared frostily at her. "Remember, Hailey—I'm not someone you can afford to mess with."

With that, she turned and left.

Natalie cursed inwardly. Luck hadn't been on her side today, and she hadn't been able to approach Estella. It looked like she had no choice but to find another opportunity to do so.

In the end, she could only leave in a huff.

Meanwhile, Horatio had taken Estella home. Since he had angered her, she sulked and went back to her room immediately upon coming home.

He frowned helplessly.

What exactly about Natalie made Estella so attracted to her? Was it just because she was pretty?

There had been many pretty women around him over the years, yet Estella had never behaved so affectionately with them.

Natalie's methods were clearly extraordinary!

Horatio stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and tapped his slender fingers gently against a pane.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of a muffled thump from upstairs.

He paled and rushed up the stairs, taking them two to three at a time.

"What is it?" Horatio asked gently.

Estella's eyes seemed to shine as she replied, "Take me to see that pretty lady… I want to play with her. She's really amazing and smells nice. I really like her."

Horatio frowned heavily, alarm bells going off in his head.

Estella's obsession with Natalie wasn't normal.

He measured his words carefully. "Star, that lady—"

Estella suddenly became agitated, her face turning red. "I just want that pretty lady! She… She…"

Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly started coughing violently, and her face instantly paled.

Horatio was greatly frightened. "Star! Doctors! Come in quickly!"

Doctors rushed into the room and hurriedly injected Estella with a sedative.

As Horatio watched his daughter gradually calm down under the influence of the sedative, his heart clenched even tighter.

The attending doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead and reported, "Ms. Hurrell's agitation will only aggravate her condition, Mr. Hurrell. It'd be for the best if… you could fulfill her requests as best as possible."

The doctors soon administered Estella her medicine, after which she fell asleep.

Horatio frowned even harder as he gazed at her angelic face.

He immediately dialed Bennett's number and asked, "Have you looked into the background of that woman named Natalie Lunsford?"