Natalie gritted her teeth. She knew it was Maria.
"And then what? After you had Hamilton expel my daughter, what else do you have planned for us?"
Maria's eyes narrowed. "Next, I'm going to ruin your reputation and have you blacklisted again."
"Anything else?"
"I'm going to run you and your daughter out of Orenth!"
"So, you're actually terrified right now."
Maria scoffed. "You think I'm terrified? Of you?"
Natalie grabbed Maria by the collar, pulling her closer. "Have you forgotten what you did all those years ago?"
At her words, Maria's expression faltered.
"I didn't do anything."
"What if I tell Hamilton?"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Why wouldn't I? Aren't you the one backing me into a corner?"
"…"
Maria was genuinely afraid Natalie would tell the truth, but after a moment's thought, she relaxed slightly. "Hamilton would never believe you!"
"He doesn't have to believe me. A single seed of doubt is all it takes to ruin you."
"Get out! Get out of here right now!" Maria said, her voice laced with panic.
Natalie sneered. "As I recall, you and Hamilton aren't married yet. That doesn't make you the lady of the house, does it?"
"Natalie!"
Just then, Hamilton came downstairs. He tensed up when he saw Natalie, but quickly masked his anxiety with a deliberately cold expression.
"Hmph. So you've finally figured out who you need to beg."
He sat down on the sofa as he spoke, placing his tablet and phone on the coffee table just as Natalie stormed over.
"Someone mentioned that your daughter looks almost identical to me as a child. Take a look. Do you see it?"
Natalie's heart sank.
But Maria was even more frantic. She rushed over, saying, "Who could be that blind? They look nothing alike!"
"If you cooperate, I'll let your daughter back into school, regardless of the results. How about it?"
Natalie frowned. If she refused, it would only make him more suspicious.
"Fine," she said, feigning nonchalance. "As long as you're not afraid of being humiliated."
Her easy agreement, however, seemed to displease Hamilton.
If Kristin were really his daughter, she would have fought him tooth and nail. The fact that she agreed so readily suggested otherwise.
Could he have been overthinking it?
"We'll do it tomorrow," Hamilton declared.
Natalie nodded. "Alright. I'll work around your schedule."
At that moment, Maria was far more panicked than either of them. Seeing Natalie agree, she assumed it was a ploy to get back into Hamilton's life with their daughter. If Natalie and Kristin returned, there would be no place for her and her own child.
"Hamilton, since a test was already done, maybe we shouldn't do another. I'm just worried you won't be able to handle it," Maria said, feigning concern for him.
Hamilton didn't even look at her. "This is between me and Natalie. It has nothing to do with you."
Maria opened her mouth to argue, but then thought better of it. If she pushed any harder, Hamilton might not listen and could even become suspicious of her. She had no choice but to stay quiet.

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