The Promise of Happiness (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183
By the time Natalie emerged from Samuel’s study, her lips had become a mess after Samuel was done with her. She couldn’t help but gently nurse her lips with her nimble fingers.
What on earth does his business trip have to do with me? Did he really have to use this method of punishing me just because I didn’t respond or perform as expected?
Just as Natalie was cursing and swearing at Samuel internally, she bumped into Celia in the corridor. Neither woman took the initiative to speak or greet one another. However, Celia’s sharp eyes remained fixed on Natalie’s lips, which had gone swollen from Samuel’s forceful kissing. Although Celia’s gaze was still haughty beyond measure as per before, it wasn’t provocative in any way. She completely ignored Natalie and brushed past her as if she weren’t there.
Natalie wasn’t surprised by Celia’s behavior. She knew that Celia was the next generation scion of the Jean family. Aside from her incredible talent in the field of medicine, Celia also possessed a high IQ and emotional intelligence. Over the past few days, Natalie was sure that Celia must have observed the interactions between Samuel and herself and surmised the nature of their relationship. As it was obvious that Samuel was the one who was relentlessly chasing after Natalie, there were no grounds whatsoever for Celia to be jealous of her. Naturally, her provocative behavior would then also come to an end.
Natalie had zero interest in such petty squabbles between women. She was only focused on her life with the three children moving forward. The emotional scars she previously suffered from the loss of her twins had always been a heart wrenching pain she endured. However, Natalie felt that her pain alleviated to some degree now that she had Franklin and Sophia by her side.
The next day, just before Samuel was about to leave for his business trip, he pulled Franklin and Sophia to the side and instructed, “Make sure to be obedient and listen to Natalie while I’m gone. If she tells me that either of you has been naughty, I won’t let you go over to her house anymore next time.”
Franklin and Sophia exchanged brief looks before they replied in unison, “We’ll be obedient, Daddy.”
Samuel nodded in acknowledgment.
Just then, Franklin added, “I’ll miss you, Daddy!”
Sophia leaned forward and hugged Samuel’s leg tightly as she softly said, “I’ll m-miss you too, Daddy…”
Samuel’s eyes suddenly turned to rest on Natalie, and he asked, “What about you?”
“Me?” asked Natalie as she pointed to herself in surprise before she continued, “What do I have to say?”
Suddenly, Sophia said, “Daddy is waiting for you to s-say you’ll miss him.”
Samuel’s pursed lips curled playfully as he directed his mysterious gaze to rest questioningly on Natalie. Likewise, Franklin and Sophia turned to look expectantly at Natalie as well. Even Billy, who had been silently waiting by the side the entire time, turned to see what Natalie would do next.
Faced with the weight of everyone’s gazes, Natalie had no choice but to give in. She felt the heat rush to her face as she blushed and stammered, “I’ll m-miss you too, Samuel…”
Having heard what he had been waiting for, Samuel couldn’t help but smile as he replied, “All right. Remember what you’ve just said.”
Once Samuel and Billy had taken their leave, Natalie made her way back to her apartment with Franklin and Sophia. Since the two children were familiar with Xavian, it didn’t take long for the three of them to start playing together under Natalie’s watchful eyes. As she took in this scene, her eyes misted over as she couldn’t help but imagine just how perfect her life would be if Sophia and Franklin were her very own children.
When the call finally got through, Natalie asked, “Do you have any updates on the matter I asked you to look into, Yandel?”
Yandel replied, “Yes! Someone from the Watsons family was scheming against you. It’s someone called Mandy, their third daughter-in-law.”
I still remember our previous entanglement, but to think that Mandy would actually hire someone for murder?
“But…” Yandel hesitated.
“What’s the matter?” asked Natalie impatiently as she continued to probe, “It’s not like you to beat around the bush like this, Yandel. What’s wrong?”
“Mandy has been taken away from the Watsons residence by Samuel’s men. Her current whereabouts are unknown.”
Her whereabouts are unknown? What on earth does that mean? Is she dead or alive?
“You’ll have to account for Old Mr. Watsons if you wish to deal with Mandy, Boss. After all, she’s the legitimate daughter-in-law of the Watsons family and is under their protection. That said, Samuel is different. He’s not bound by such constraints.” I’m sure that Old Mr. Watsons would have nothing to say if Samuel was the one to demand Mandy’s head,” cautioned Yandel before he continued hesitantly, “How about this? Since you’re in a prime position to seek Samuel’s help, why don’t you take advantage of this and have Samuel investigate your granddad’s death in your stead?”