The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 396

Natalie glanced at her phone and noticed Nancy still hadn't texted to say she was home safe, so she sent another message.

Joelle truly had a silver tongue. She kept Cecily laughing continuously while flawlessly catering to everyone else at the table.

She even went out of her way to be considerate of Natalie.

If Natalie's water glass was slightly low, Joelle would instantly ask a waiter to refill it. If she noticed Natalie favored a certain dish, she would order a second plate the moment it started looking empty.

To any outsider, Joelle was simply a kind, accommodating person who treated everyone equally—neither sucking up to the elders nor looking down on her peers. She was utterly flawless.

But with Nancy not replying for so long, Natalie was growing genuinely anxious.

"Grandma, Aunt Rhea, please enjoy your meal. Something came up, so I need to leave early." She had just stood up.

Joelle quickly interjected, "Leaving so soon? I was just about to suggest we all head out for a round of golf to walk off the meal."

"No, thank you." Natalie looked down, grabbing her coat and slipping it on.

The moment she did, Hassan also stood up from his seat. "Grandma, I'll be leaving as well."

Cecily's face instantly went cold. "What game are you two playing today? Leaving before the guest of honor? Is this how you behave?"

But Hassan had already grabbed Natalie's wrist, wrapping his large hand securely around her delicate bone structure.

His tone was flat. "Natalie's grandmother is scheduled for surgery very soon. We want to spend some extra time with her."

Using family devotion as an excuse left Cecily with absolutely no room to argue.

Joelle couldn't force them to stay either. It wasn't exactly polite to stop someone from visiting a sick relative.

"Well... it just so happens I should pay my respects too." Joelle stood up smoothly. "You know, Hassan, my own grandmother also passed away from an illness."

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