The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 26

Faust gave Quinn another assessing look, showing absolutely no reaction when Quinn politely greeted him, simply offering a curt nod before turning back to Natalie. "You should be focusing your energy on Hassan. What's the point of messing around with these little hobbies?"

With that, he turned and walked away with Dr. Weston. He had never thought much of Natalie to begin with.

Quinn was utterly dumbfounded. "Does he... always talk to you like that? His attitude is terrible. I mean, even if he's an elder, he shouldn't act like he's so entitled to speak to you that way."

She shook her head. "It's fine, just ignore him. Let's eat."

She hadn't taken Faust's words to heart at all. Her mind was entirely focused on her grandmother's situation.

Dr. Weston would surely agree to do the surgery as a favor to Faust.

By the end of the meal, Natalie could tell Quinn clearly didn't want to part ways. She thought about it, then gently said, "Quinn, thank you for inviting me to join the company, but I need to be completely honest with you. I..."

"I know. You have no intention of taking things further with me." He smiled warmly. "Don't worry about it. I just like you! But rest assured, I'm absolutely not the type of guy who misreads one business lunch as you being into me. I get it! So you really don't have to worry."

Natalie was about to nod when she heard a cold scoff from behind. She turned and saw Faust and Dr. Weston walking out after finishing their meal.

They had likely overheard Quinn's little speech.

Natalie felt a brief spike of panic regarding the surgery, but quickly regained her composure. Her relationship with Quinn was completely professional; she had nothing to feel guilty about.

"Dad, I'll be going now," she said with a nod, then glanced at the surgeon. "Dr. Weston."

The doctor exchanged pleasantries. "Yes, it's been a while. Are you and Hassan doing well?"

Natalie lowered her eyelashes, keeping her expression perfectly natural. "We're doing great."

Faust gave a dismissive nod. "Start putting some real effort into having a child."

Natalie's heart skipped a beat. It was one thing for Cecily to constantly nag her, but why was Faust suddenly taking an interest in her marital life with Hassan?

She managed a polite smile. "We will. Have a good day."

Quinn had originally wanted to offer her a ride, but afraid Faust might misinterpret it, he deliberately went in the opposite direction.

Natalie had anticipated this the moment she ran into Faust at lunch. She nodded. "I understand. I'm on my way."

When she arrived, she saw little Mia Sheridan and another young boy crouching under the locust tree in the courtyard, watching an anthill.

The little boy was Adrian Sutton.

Remembering that this was the very child who had answered Hassan's phone when her grandfather was dying...

She clenched her fists tightly.

Cecily and her husband were sitting on the lounge chairs nearby, both beaming with joy.

Cecily, in particular, looked incredibly fond of Adrian. "How can there be such a well-behaved child? He's so precious. I wish he were Hassan's."

Natalie's footsteps faltered, her throat suddenly dry. She walked over and called out, "Grandma Cecily."