The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 63

Following the Research and Technology Expo, Natalie's Multi-functional Micro Health-monitoring & Combat Robot attracted the attention of numerous investors. The entire team was ecstatic, and Professor Adler hosted a celebratory dinner specifically for her.

Having learned her lesson after getting drunk and ending up at Sycamore Quays last time, Natalie didn't touch a single drop of alcohol.

During the dinner, Professor Adler asked about her plans for the robot.

Natalie had already thought this through. She would prioritize companies with the infrastructure to mass-produce it, a complete supply chain, and those willing to guarantee they wouldn't transfer core patents or demand majority control.

Although many had extended olive branches, finding a company that met her strict criteria—partnering without a complete buyout—was incredibly rare.

Marvin Ford had helped her narrow the list down to three: Carlson Group, Azure Valley Corporation, and Apex Heritage Inc.

Naturally, Natalie wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Carlsons. They were the first to be crossed off.

After the dinner, she headed to the hospital to visit her grandparents.

Once her grandmother had learned the truth, Natalie had arranged for both of her grandparents to share the same hospital room.

Pushing the door open, she saw her aunt Tilda Steele inside.

Tilda looked pale, with deep, exhausted dark circles under her eyes. She worked at the Carlson Group, earning a high salary, but the workload was grueling, and she was constantly working overtime.

"You're here," Tilda said. Her tone was cold, but it was leagues better than her uncle's open disgust.

At the very least, she had never said anything truly vile to Natalie.

"Aunt Tilda," Natalie greeted softly, walking over.

Tilda didn't move. She just stared at her. "How much were the medical bills in total? I'll pay you back."

Natalie paused, a sour ache blooming in her chest.

Her aunt had always been like this. While Uncle Lyndon despised her but constantly tried to bleed her dry for money, Aunt Tilda acted terrified of being associated with her, always desperate to sever any ties.

"Aunt Tilda, Grandma and Grandpa are my family too. I should be the one paying. You work so hard..."

She didn't get to finish her sentence. Tilda suddenly snapped. "If you really think I work hard, then stay away from my family!"

Natalie was entirely taken aback by the outburst.

"Aunt Tilda, what did I do wrong? Why are you always trying to push me away?" she asked, her voice dropping.

She didn't dare stick around to hear the answer. She just ran.

Walking down the street, Natalie suddenly remembered her grandmother's old house.

She needed to buy it back as soon as possible.

It was a holiday, and it was nighttime.

Chances were, someone was home.

She rang the doorbell.

Sure enough, a few moments later, someone came to answer the door.

A familiar wave of women's perfume drifted through the air—the exact same scent she so frequently caught on Hassan's clothes.

When she clearly saw the face of the woman opening the door, her entire body went rigid.

"Natalie? What are you doing here?" Gardenia asked, looking genuinely surprised.