The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 275

Hassan's grip tightened, the veins standing out sharply against the back of his hand.

For some reason, hearing Cyrus earnestly explain himself only fueled his rage, leaving a sickeningly bitter taste in his mouth.

"If you have so much free time on your hands, you should focus more on your work," he said coldly.

Cyrus lowered his head in submission. "I understand. I will."

Natalie fired back instantly. "Hassan, he's off the clock. Why are you dictating what he does? Since when does a boss micromanage an employee's free time? Off-hours are meant for relaxing. If you're so obsessed with work, why don't you just stay in your office for the rest of your life?"

"Do you really need to defend him this fiercely?" Hassan snarled, his grip on her wrist turning punishing.

Natalie tried desperately to shake off his hold. "Let me go."

Instead of letting go, Hassan smoothly bent down, swept Natalie entirely off her feet, and began marching back toward the main house.

Natalie let out a shocked yelp. The sudden loss of gravity forced her to instinctively throw her arms around his neck. It took her a full two seconds to realize that Hassan was practically manhandling her right in front of Cyrus.

"So you voluntarily stayed behind to do exactly what with him, Natalie? Is this your twisted way of punishing me? Trying to spite me? First it was Quinn, then Jude, and now Cyrus."

"You are actually psychotic!" Natalie shouted. "There is absolutely nothing going on between me and Cyrus. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look right now?"

"If there's really nothing going on, then why do you care how I look?" he retorted.

Natalie took a deep, shuddering breath. "You are... completely beyond saving. What, are you finally done calling Gardenia 'baby' on the phone?"

Hassan stopped dead in his tracks and stared her down. "When did I ever call anyone 'baby'? Did you actually hear that come out of my mouth?"

Natalie let out a harsh scoff. "Stop playing dumb. Gardenia was literally saying it out loud. Unless you actively allowed it, what kind of employee or 'friend' would use such an inappropriately intimate pet name? What? Since when did she become your surrogate mother?"

"Natalie." The man's brow darkened instantly as he locked his piercing gaze onto her.

Her breath caught in her throat. The sudden memory of Hassan's mother's tragic death, and his refusal to let go of her hand, flashed through her mind.

A painful lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed back whatever she was about to say next.

The man tightened his hold on her and resumed walking. "I never called her that."

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