The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

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Natalie was thoroughly satisfied, thinking, ‘No wonder this place is such a legend in Harbor City. The food really is that good.”‘

By the time the last course was finished, she had cleaned every plate in front of her.

Henry took a sip of water, “I didn’t expect you to have such an appetite, Miss Moore.”

Natalie dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “I’ve always eaten like this.”

A faint smile touched Henry’s lips. “Now that you’re back in town, there are plenty of good restaurants in Harbor City. If you’d like, I’d be happy to take you to a few.”

Blondie rolled his eyes. ‘Here he goes again.”

Natalie didn’t answer him directly. “Thank you. Maybe next time.”

Blondie patted his stomach and got to his feet. “Thanks for dinner, Mr. Pierce. It’s getting late, Talia. We should get going.”

Henry’s brow twitched. ‘He never knows when to shut up?‘ But with Natalie there, he kept his temper in check and only

shot Blondie a cool, warning look.

Blondie felt a chill at that glance, but with Natalie beside him, he still lifted his chin and glared right back.

Natalie seemed not to notice the tension between them. She picked up her napkin, wiped her fingers slowly, and rose to

her feet. “Let’s go.” Her tone stayed even, without the slightest hint of emotion.

Once they were outside, Blondie instinctively moved to open the passenger door for Natalie.

Henry stood where he was and watched the yellow car disappear into the distance, his eyes narrowing. Then he took out his phone and made a call. “Look into Blondie for me.”

Lewis, still laid up in the hospital, answered at once. “Yes, Mr. Pierce.”

When Natalie got home, Ryan and Ethan were bickering over something she couldn’t even figure out, and it looked like they were about to throw hands.

Ethan, clearly annoyed, pushed Ryan’s head away with one hand, still holding a book in the other. “No deal.”

Ryan refused to back down. “Ethan, come on. Just let me borrow it for a few days, please? I’ll be your slave.”

“No way. Not a chance. This isn’t up for discussion,” Ethan’s tone was final.

Ryan gritted his teeth. “Alright, Ethan. If you won’t give it to me, I’m gonna take it myself.”

The moment the words left his mouth, his eyes locked on the book in Ethan’s hand, and he clearly looked ready to snatch.

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Chapter 43

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Ethan frowned, held the book up high with one hand, and gave Ryan a hard shove with the other, sending him sprawling

onto the couch.

“What are you two doing?” Natalie asked, hands in her pockets as she leaned casually against the door, watching them with a hint of amusement.

Both of them turned to look at her, only now realizing she’d come home. They’d been so caught up in their argument that they hadn’t even noticed her arrival.

Ethan quickly tucked the book away, his usual calm, gentle expression settling back into place, though the faint pink at the tips of his ears gave him away.

Ryan, on the other hand, sprang up from the couch, still looking annoyed, but when he saw Natalie, he plastered on a forced grin. “Hey, you’re back?”

Natalie responded with a quiet “Mm–hmm“, walked into the living room, and took a seat on the couch. “What are you two fighting over?”

“It’s nothing. Just a book.” Ethan tried to play it cool.

“It’s not just a book.” Ryan jumped up, practically bouncing with excitement. “That’s the first volume of my favorite novel in hard copy. It just got delivered today. And Ethan’s copy has the author’s printed signature. It’s a limited edition.”

His voice was dripping with envy and frustration. “I couldn’t even snag one. There were barely any online. Ethan just got insanely lucky or something. And he won’t even let me take a peek.”

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