The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 229

Natalie wasn’t sure how to comfort her, but she tried. “Liking him isn’t wrong. Him not liking you isn’t wrong either. But don’t ever think his feelings mean you’re not good enough.”

“What he likes is his business. Who you are is yours. Don’t measure yourself by someone else’s standards.” Natalie said.

Rosie looked at Natalie, tears falling quietly down her cheeks.

“If you like him, just go tell him. Whether he says yes or no, that’s up to him. Whether you speak up, that’s up to you Once you’ve said it, no matter what happens, you’ll know you did your best, and you won’t have any regrets. Natalie said.

Rosie was drawn into Natalie’s gentle, steady gaze. She sniffled. “But… I’m scared.”

Her voice was so soft, like she was afraid someone might overhear.

‘I’m scared that if I tell him and he rejects me, I won’t even have the right to admire him from a distance anymore. Rosie ¡aid.

And I’m so fat. He’d never go for a girl as overweight as me…” Rosie added.

As she spoke, she thought to herself, “The girl he likes must be really wonderful… probably so much better than me. That hought made her tears fall again.

At least now, I can still hand him water, talk to him, and cheer him on during his games,” Rosie said.

But if I tell him and he turns me down, I won’t even be able to do those things anymore.”

Natalie looked at her, guessing what Rosie was thinking. She reached out and gently brushed Rosie’s soft earlobe with her ingertips.

Don’t doubt yourself. You’re really good, really gentle, and you absolutely deserve to be loved,” Natalie said.

The way things are between you two right now. If you don’t say anything, nothing will change. If you do, nothing will change either. Unless you decide to stop.”

Rosie stared at her, tears still clinging to her lashes, but no more fell.

Natalie’s words were like a comb, gently untangling the mess in Rosie’s mind, strand by strand.

Take some more time to think about it,” Natalie said.

With those words, she quietly stepped out of the room.

Natalie went downstairs, grabbed two milkshakes from the fridge, and walked outside.

Henry was already waiting out from Lewis wasn’t there today, so Henry was just hanging out by the black Maybac himself.

When the gate swung open, Henry stood up straight

It was mid–October in Harbor City, and autumn had settled in the mornings and evenings were noticably cooler

Today, Henry had swapped his usual suit for a deep gray cashmere coat, the collar turned up pust a bit Underneath he wear

black turtleneck, paired with matching gray pants and dark brown derby shoes

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Chapter 229-

Hike his usual stiff, formal look, this outfit made him seem much more relaxed.

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The morning breeze had tousled his hair, a few strands falling across his forehead, but he didn’t bother to fix it, just let them stay as they were.

When Henry saw Natalie come out, he pulled his hands from his coat pockets, walked a couple steps toward her, then paused, waiting for her to approach.

Natalie walked over and handed him the milkshake she was holding.

The cup was beaded with condensation, obviously just pulled from the fridge.

Henry looked down at the milkshake and took it from her.

For me?” he asked.

Natalie had already pulled her hand back, slipping it into the pocket of her hoodie.

Yeah” she replied.

Henry glanced down at the milkshake. It was green grape flavor.

He smiled, clearly pleased with it. Then he turned to open the passenger door for Natalie, before walking around the car to ake the driver’s seat.

Once they were both in the car and buckled up, Henry handed Natalie a brown paper bag from the seat beside him.

Did you have breakfast yet? I baked some whole wheat toast this morning,” he said.

Natalie took a sip of her milkshake, screwed the cap back on, and accepted the bag. She opened it and peeked inside.

The toast was sliced evenly, the edges golden and crisp. The scent of wheat mixed with buttery sweetness drifted out from he bag.

he took out a slice and took a bite. The outside was crunchy, the inside soft and fluffy, and it was the perfect temperature. ot too hot, not too cold. It felt like he’d pulled it out of the oven right when she was heading out.

is the car slowly pulled away, Natalie ate two slices and then stopped.

and

eeing her lean back in her seat and close her eyes, Henry reached over and put on some gentle music

After more than two hours, they arrived in Upade Town. Henry pulled over to the side of the road aiki turned to look at

Natalie.

Natalie was leaning back in her seat, her profile split by the light and shadow streaming in through the window

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the sycamore leaves, casting tiny golden spots across her sku

Her lashes were long and slightly curled, throwing a fan–shaped shadow under her eyes. Her nose was straight, her lips beautifully shaped. When she was asleep, the faint distance that usually lingered at the corners of her mouth was gone. replaced by an unconscious softness.

Her long, straight hair fell over her shoulders, a few strands caught by the breeze and sticking to her cheek

Henry turned his head, completely entranced by her, so absorbed that his breath unconsciously slowed.

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Chapter 229 —

the engine was of and the world outside was rushed, only the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant calls of

birds broke the silence.

A breeze slipped in through the crack in the window, carrying the scent of osmanthus blossoms and damp earth

A tiny white petal spun lazily in with the wind, drifting down to settle in Natalie’s hair

The petal was small and white, quietly nestled among her dark, silky strands.

Henry’s gaze moved from her face to the little petal, and he reached out to brush it out of her hair.

But just as his hand was halfway up, Natalie’s lashes fluttered and she slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were still a bit hazy, like she’d just wandered back from some far–off dream. Seeing Henry’s face so close, she didn‘ linch just blinked, shut her eyes for a moment, then opened them again after a few seconds.

Are we there?” she asked.

Her voice was rough and sleepy, and she glanced at his hand in front of her, looking a bit puzzled.

Henry nodded, then reached out, gently picked the petal from her hair, and held it up in front of her.

‘We’re here. Which way do we go now?” he asked.

Since Maxwell wasn’t in Upade Town right now, Henry figured they weren’t heading to his place, but he had no clue where hey were supposed to go instead.

Natalie glanced ahead. “Just go straight to the end, then turn left…”

Henry nodded and drove in the direction she said.

Less than five minutes later, they pulled up in front of a small courtyard. The front gate was open, and inside, someone was stretched out on a lounge chair, a thin blanket draped over him, eyes closed, basking in the sunlight.

Natalie walked in quietly, not disturbing him. Larkin was in the yard, tending to the herbs. When he heard them, he stood

1. up.

He gave them a slight nod, then calmly sat back down and continued simmering the medicine

Henry gave a slight nod in greeting, scanning the yard before his gaze landed on the person lounging in the chair up ahend

‘Mr. Miller is actually hiding out here?‘ Henry thought, unable to hide his surprise.

He lifted his eyes, noticing Mr. Miller’s unusually thin frame and face, then glanced at Larkin, and the tact that Natalie visited every week…

Henry frowned, starting to put the pieces together.

Natalie walked over to the lounge chair, crouched down, and gently touched Jacob Miller’s forehead. Then she placed her fingers on his wrist, closed her eyes, and quietly felt for his pulse for a moment.

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