The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157 A Site Visit

Chapter 157 A Site Visit

‘Evan?

‘Evan Hale?’

Natalie looked at him. ‘Commander Luca, is he the patriarch of the Hale family?’

Luca continued, “My eldest grandson is now under your command. Just make sure you train him hard, push him to his limits, as long as he doesn’t drop dead!”

Madison: ‘Alright, alright, Grandpa. Whatever you say.’

Natalie knew exactly who he meant and nodded. “Madison’s doing great in every way. I’ll make sure to keep him on his toes

Liam, standing off to the side, was totally lost. He raised his hand to cut in.

“Wait, hold on! What are you guys even talking about? What mother? What reunion banquet?

“Natalie, did you find your family?”

Natalie looked at Liam and licked her lips. “Yeah, you were super busy a few days ago, so I didn’t tell you.”

Kuge

Liam’s jaw dropped. “Busy? Come on, your stuff is always the most important thing to me! Finding your family is a huge deal, and you didn’t even tell me?”

Natalie took a deep breath. ‘Should’ve known he’d freak out. Better change the subject fast, she thought. “Commander Luca, shouldn’t you be heading out? Let me walk you out! Liam, I’ll catch up with you in a bit!”

Liam watched Natalie walk away, scratching his head. He knew she just didn’t want to trouble him with another trip, but he was still pissed. ‘Just as long as no one else finds out!’ he thought.

‘If even one other person finds out, I’m seriously gonna raise hell!’ he fumed to himself.

At the entrance of the training camp, a small military bus was parked there.

Natalie glanced at Henry Pierce standing next to her. “Why aren’t you getting on the bus?”

Henry Pierce grinned at her. “You’re finally talking to me!”

Natalie frowned, thinking, ‘Huh?

‘Fine, suit yourself.”‘

She shot him a glare and turned to walk back inside.

Henry didn’t get annoyed. In fact, his grin just got bigger. ‘I’ve never seen her show such a range of expressions before!’ he thought.

He turned and tagged along behind her, heading back inside as well.

Natalie had only taken a few steps when she heard footsteps behind her. She stopped and turned to look at Henry Pierce. “Why are you following me?” she asked.

Henry Pierce kept his hands in his pockets, taking his time. “Not following you, just heading back to my office. The investment stuff still needs to be finalized.”

Natalie just kept walking without saying anything.

Henry watched her walk away, a smile tugging at his lips.

When they reached a corner, Henry quickened his steps and grabbed her wrist.

Natalie frowned and tried to pull free, but Henry was already prepared for her reaction. His grip was strong, not letting go. Knew she’d try to shake me off, he thought.

He smirked and reached into his pocket with his other hand. “Relax, I’m not up to anything. No need to be so defensive.” With that, he pulled out a band-aid from his pocket, held it between his fingers, and tore the wrapper open with his teeth, his dark eyes locked on Natalie.

He’d noticed her hand back on the training ground, so he grabbed a band-aid from the first aid kit hanging on the wall. He crumpled the wrapper in his palm, then carefully pressed the band-aid over the scratch on the back of her right hand.

His fingers moved gently, making sure not to h Successfully unlocked!d from one end to the other, making sure every

corner stuck.

Natalie kept her expression icy, not showing a hint of emotion.

Chapter 157 A Site Visit

She lowered her eyes, watching as his fingers pressed the band-aid onto the back of her hand, methodically smoothing t

down.

Her gaze was as cold as a frozen lake, completely still, not a single ripple.

She stayed silent, just standing there and letting him finish, waiting until he was done.

Henry let go, checked out his little masterpiece, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

“All set. Don’t let it get wet,” he said.

Natalie stared at the band-aid on the back of her hand for a second.

Then, with zero hesitation, she lifted her other hand, pinched the edge of the band-aid, and tore it off in one clean move.

Henry’s smile froze on his face.

Natalie looked up at him and pressed the band-aid she’d just ripped off right onto Henry’s arm, not too hard, not too soft.

The band-aid stuck to his dark brown suit sleeve, all crooked, like a patch slapped on at random.

She looked at him, her face as blank as before, not a hint of emotion.

“No need. It’ll heal in no time,” she said.

With that, she turned and walked off, leaving Henry Pierce standing there, staring after her, totally stunned.

He didn’t look down at the band-aid stuck to his sleeve until Natalie’s figure disappeared, and then he just chuckled. Henry peeled the band-aid off his sleeve. It picked up some fuzz from his suit, then slapped it onto the back of his own

hand.

He stuck it right over the spot where Natalie had that scratch, pressed down the edges, and shoved his hand in his pocket.

The next day.

At exactly four in the morning, the assembly whistle blew on the dot.

Natalie was standing right in the middle of the field, dressed in a military green short-sleeve shirt, black tactical pants, and black combat boots. Her long hair was pulled up into a high ponytail as she waited for everyone.

In just three minutes, everyone had assembled.

Natalie frowned when she spotted an unexpected face in the lineup.

Her gaze locked onto him. “You, step out,” she ordered.

Henry knew she meant him and stepped forward out of the line.

He was dressed in the same dark green training uniform as everyone else.

His hair wasn’t slicked back like usual, some strands hung over his forehead, ruffled a bit by the early wind.

He stood at the front of the formation, three steps away from Natalie, his back perfectly straight and his fingers pressed tightly against his pant seams.

Natalie narrowed her eyes at him.

The morning sun peeked over the eastern ridge, lighting up her face and making her expression crystal clear.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Her voice wasn’t loud, but every word landed like a nail driven into wood, sharp and impossible to ignore.

Henry looked at her, his voice low and powerful, full of confidence.

“Chief Instructor, the investment details require an on-site inspection. Liam has given his approval,” he replied.

Natalie walked right up to him and stopped.

They were so close, barely an arm’s length apart. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, and he looked down at her Their eyes locked, hers icy cold, his as steady as a mountain.

“Investment details require an on-site inspection?” Natalie echoed, her tone razor-sharp and laced with frost.

She lifted her gaze just a bit, every word slicing through the air, her voice carrying a chill that could freeze you on the spot. “Liam approved it?” Natalie repeated, her tone flat.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze drifting from Henry Pierce’s face to Noah, who was standing at the edge of the field. Noah met her eyes, shrugged, then quietly turned away, pretending to watch the clouds over the ridge.

Chapter 157 A Site Visit

Natalie looked back at Henry Pierce.

Her gaze was ice-cold, and Henry Pierce could tell she was already plotting how to get rid of him.

“Henry Pierce.” Natalie said.

“Present!” Henry responded.

His answer was crisp and forceful, hands pressed tight to his pant seams, back ramrod straight, eyes locked straight ahead, chin tucked in.

Natalie glanced at him, and it was obvious to her why he was sticking around.

“Do you even know how things work around here?” she asked.

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