The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 148

The silence on the line stretched on agonizingly.

It lasted so long that the harsh sunlight piercing through the glass made Natalie's eyes sting.

Finally, his answer came. "Fine."

The coffee sloshed over the rim of the mug, scalding the space between Natalie's thumb and index finger.

Gardenia hung up the phone and looked at her. "He agreed. Your turn."

Natalie set her mug down, a faint, mocking smile touching her lips. "I don't need it."

Gardenia's face dropped. "What does that mean?"

"It means I don't need Hassan's help."

She pulled out her phone. "The issue is already resolved."

Trending across the internet were articles and statements officially clearing the Wishbound Dance Troupe's name.

Natalie had anticipated that partnering with Quinn would bring relentless scrutiny. She had been meticulous in their operations, preparing for the exact kind of baseless smear campaigns designed to crush them through public opinion.

If she hadn't instructed Quinn to rigorously document their communications and secure concrete evidence in advance, they would have been doomed. By the time the authorities cleared them, the internet mob would have moved on, uncaring of the truth, and their careers would be permanently destroyed.

Gardenia stared blankly at Natalie's screen. As she slowly looked up, a chilling realization settled in her gut: Natalie was nothing like the fragile, easily manipulated socialite she had assumed her to be.

"Thanks for the coffee," Natalie said, taking one last sip before walking out.

Kara and Pearce were waiting in the lobby. Seeing her, they immediately stood up. "Did you give Gardenia what she wanted?"

"Go inside and ask her yourself," Natalie retorted coldly, brushing past them.

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