The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 94

She threw off the covers and turned her back to him.

The lights went out, and neither said another word.

When she woke up the next morning, Natalie stared at the broad line of his back. "It's the last day. If Seven still hasn't agreed to your terms, you promised me a chance."

Hassan was buttoning his crisp white shirt, his voice thick with the low, husky rasp of sleep. "What are you in such a rush for?"

Natalie didn't argue. She just got out of bed.

When she arrived at the lab, Professor Adler pulled her aside.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, surprised.

The professor looked stressed. "You remember Mr. Walsh who came by last time?"

Natalie paused. "Yes."

"He's scheduled to inspect the lab again today. It's going to be a disaster if he runs into you."

She stiffened. "Another inspection?"

The man was clearly gunning for her.

"If you aren't here, he's definitely going to find a reason to penalize us. That's why I'm so stressed. I don't know what to do. He's obviously targeting you, otherwise, why would he be doing these random audits so often?"

But dealing with the inspector wasn't as critical as saving her grandmother.

Once back in the breakroom, Natalie messaged Azure Valley Corporation, setting up a lunch meeting to discuss a potential collaboration. She needed to give Hassan a real sense of urgency.

As for the inspector the professor mentioned, she had to find a way to dodge him.

The breakroom door swung open. Marvin walked in, looking at her. "The professor just told me. What's your plan?"

Natalie looked down. "I need to find a way to avoid him."

"How did you get rid of him last time?"

"Hassan handled it."

"Wait, does that mean Hassan knows who you really are?"

Sure enough, not long after Marvin made the call, the professor announced that the inspector had abruptly canceled his visit.

At noon, Natalie successfully met with the project manager from Azure Valley Corporation. They had a productive discussion, but she deliberately held off on signing any contracts. Her only goal was to let the news of the meeting filter back to Hassan and apply some pressure.

By that afternoon, the inbox for her "Seven" persona was flooded with messages from the Carlson Group, offering concessions and perks that no other company would dare put on the table.

She ignored every single one.

Meanwhile, Marvin's phone kept blowing up. Friends kept calling, trying to find out who his mysterious new girlfriend was.

He expertly dodged every question.

Looking a bit sheepish, he glanced at Natalie. "After I asked for that favor, everyone assumed I'm seeing someone."

"It's fine. I don't mind."

Natalie knew Hassan would inevitably hear the rumors about Marvin too, but he would never associate Marvin's "girlfriend" with her.

After all, her relationship with Marvin had historically been just as toxic as her dynamic with Jacob.