The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 171

A cold, stifling energy seemed to radiate from him, closing in on Nathalie and making it hard for her to breathe.

Her chest tightened. She frowned. “How do you know about this?”

“Nathalie, don’t tell me you’ve only known him for a few days and already think he’s special.” Lance’s voice was icier than ever.

Nathalie’s expression froze. “Then why did you fire him out of nowhere? What did he do wrong?”

“He was getting too close to you. Isn’t that enough?” Lance fixed his gaze on her. “I already told you, I don’t want to see other men hanging around you, Nathalie. But you insist on protecting his job. You have no idea how much that bothers me.”

Anger simmered in her chest, almost impossible to hide. Joyful laughter filled the room, but in her ears it was drowned out by his cold words.

Nathalie had to take a few calming breaths, trying to get control of her temper, hands clenched tight. “You’re unbelievable. You run around helping Felice all the time, but I can’t even have a male friend?”

Her lips formed a half-smile, all sarcasm. She met his eyes, colder and more distant than before. “He only got pulled into this mess because of me. The least I can do is help him out. But what about you? You take care of them, buy things at auctions for them, help negotiate deals... Lance, you’re the worst.”

They looked close, standing together like any picture-perfect couple. Only they knew how far apart they really were inside.

Lance didn’t seem to hear any of it. He kept her hand in his, refusing to let go. His face smoothed over into that usual cool, distant mask.

“She’s my sister-in-law, Jasper’s mom. Of course I’d help her. That guy Gavin has nothing to do with you, and you’ve barely known him. You shouldn’t let him get so close.” His attitude was harsh and absolutely controlling.

Nathalie was fed up, barely keeping it together.

Right then, the music cut off.

Olivia’s voice rang out from the stage, light and cheerful as she grabbed the mic: “Welcome, everyone, to tonight’s banquet. It’s such an honor to be here with all of you. I hope you have a fantastic night. Now, please join me in welcoming Freddy, the new president of The Charles Group, to come up and say a few words. Let’s give him a big hand.”

Applause erupted as a man in a black suit, tall and slender, walked onto the stage.

He let out a low grunt, looking down at her with an annoyed frown. “Nathalie, what are you, a dog?”

She kept her voice down, “Let me go. I’m hungry. I want something to eat.”

Lance didn’t even hesitate. “I’ll go with you.”

Just like that, he steered her toward the buffet.

Was he really so afraid she’d go looking for Felice? So protective, it was almost suffocating.

Nathalie let out a silent, bitter laugh. The chill she felt wasn’t just in the air around them, but seeping into her, spreading inside.

“What do you want to eat?” Lance’s voice was relaxed, not even glancing at her face.