Natalie Jennings felt a "buzz" in her head, as though it exploded!
It was actually Hayden Sheffield!
"Leo Lowe!" Peter Lowe snapped, "Why can't you keep your damn mouth shut!"
"Dad, she said she'd cripple me, I… I was scared…"
"Pathetic!"
Terrence Sheffield spoke up: "So you've been working with my big brother all along. Fine, then why bother trying to rope me in?"
"Third Young Master, don't listen to this ungrateful son's nonsense…"
Natalie Jennings' mind was a mess; deep down, she still didn't want to believe Hayden Sheffield did this.
After all, when she'd questioned him, he'd answered so decisively, washing his hands of it.
If he had wanted to harm her, why would he have saved her at the hospital?
Wasn't that a total contradiction?
"Terrence Sheffield," Natalie Jennings forced herself to stay calm, "are you just trying to shift the blame onto your brother?"
Terrence scoffed, "You really think I could frame him? Sterling Group is firmly in his grasp, he's untouchable. If he wants to ruin a company, it's effortless! I don't even have real power, I can't stir up any big waves!"
Every word was true.
Hayden Sheffield could change someone's fate with a single casual remark!
Natalie Jennings could barely stand; her body swayed unsteadily.
The man who destroyed her family—was him.
But the one who saved her, when she was cornered in the hospital—was also him.
The enemy is Hayden Sheffield… How was she supposed to take revenge, to bring him down?
And why does he refuse to admit it?
Does he really get a sense of achievement toying with her in the palm of his hand?
Natalie Jennings' body trembled as if plunged into an ice cave, shivering under the sunlight like a lost soul.
"Ma'am," the bodyguard advised, "President Sheffield's working right now. Maybe it's best not to bother him."
Natalie Jennings snapped back to reality, realizing she'd arrived at Sterling Group.
Did she really want to confront him? And what good would it do?
For the first time, Natalie Jennings realized how insignificant she was in front of Hayden Sheffield!
She clenched her fists so tightly her nails cut into the flesh, but she didn't even feel pain.
"Oh, Mrs. Sheffield," a mocking voice called out. Zoe Vance strode over, full of arrogance. "Why so pale? Where's all that bravado you showed at the marriage office?"
Natalie Jennings shot her a cold glare.
"Staring at me? Did I say something wrong? Just because you married Hayden, you think you're a phoenix now?"
"Get out of my way!"
Zoe Vance folded her arms, regarding her. "I'm just being nice, reminding you. Sooner or later, he'll kick you to the curb."
With that, Zoe Vance strutted inside Sterling Group, pleased with herself.
Natalie Jennings surged forward, grabbing Zoe Vance's shoulder in a vice and yanking hard.
She had training, she knew how to fight; Zoe Vance was no match and before she could even scream, Natalie had her by the throat!
Natalie's grip was merciless, her other hand raised high, quick and ruthless as it struck down!
A loud, crisp slap rang out—Zoe Vance got a solid hit across the face.
"Ah! Natalie Jennings! How dare you hit me!"
"So what if I hit you? I hit you because you deserve it!" Natalie bit out word by word. "Zoe Vance, listen up. One: Here's the 'bravado' you wanted—I'll let you see it for yourself!"
"Two: I'm still Mrs. Sheffield. Before Hayden Sheffield tosses me aside, I could destroy you first!"
"Three: Watch your damn mouth!"
Zoe Vance, frightened by her demeanor, stammered, "You, you…"
"Don't want another slap? Then apologize and get the hell out of my sight!"
"I'm not making things up! Natalie Jennings, Hayden Sheffield will never love you. He's just using you—you're nothing but a stand-in!"
Natalie glared at her. "What do you know?"
"It's the world's worst-kept secret!" Zoe Vance spat out. "You're the only one in the dark!"
Natalie suddenly remembered overhearing him on the phone at the Sheffield family estate—and the way he looked when he was sick.
Could it all be about the same woman?
That woman left him, and Natalie was just occupying her place—a mere stand-in…
While Natalie was distracted, Zoe Vance broke free and dashed off, putting as much distance between them as she could. "You crazy woman, I can't wait to see you fall! I have the Vance family at my back—I'm not afraid of anything! You have nothing!"
"Ma'am," the bodyguard approached, "do you still want to see President Sheffield?"
She slowly turned around. "Let's go home."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And another thing," Natalie Jennings added, "don't tell Hayden Sheffield about what happened today."
Sterling Group, top floor. CEO's office.
Hayden Sheffield stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, holding a cup of coffee. "What do you want now?"
"Got you something nice." Silas Spencer said. "Catch."
He tossed it over; Hayden Sheffield caught it easily. "A sachet?"
"Yep, filled with calming herbs. Smell it—doesn't it reek just like the scent your mysterious, spoiled little darling gave you?"
Hayden Sheffield brought it to his nose and inhaled. "It's not the same."
Silas' face fell. "No way, these are the highest-grade calming ingredients. Your dear wife couldn't possibly make something better than mine."
"Hers is more… unique."
"Come on, great President Sheffield, describe how unique it is?" Silas bristled, feeling insulted. "I'm a top-tier doctor. She's, at best, an amateur!"
Hayden Sheffield arched an eyebrow. "If I could describe it, what would I need you for?"
"Fine, you win. Either give me her sachet to study or take me to meet her."
"Silas," Hayden's eyes lowered, shrouded in sorrow, "Natalie Jennings's sachet… it smells like her."
"Her? Who? Do you mean…"
Silas bit off the rest of his words, pursing his lips, not daring to utter anything more.
He knew who "her" was.
Hayden Sheffield's taboo—Eva!
Natalie Jennings actually blended Eva's scent! It was unbelievable!
After all, Hayden Sheffield's illness had started because of Eva!
She died in that fire—after that night, Hayden Sheffield became a completely different man!
"I… I'll think of something else." Silas ruffled his hair. "Just make do with this for now. I'm leaving."
He hurried off, and at the door nearly collided with William, who was just coming in.
Hayden Sheffield sat on the sofa, his fingertips brushing the embroidery on the sachet, his face once more cold and sharp. "What is it?"
"President Sheffield," William said, "Ma'am just came to the company but didn't see you."
"What did she want with those ten bodyguards?"
William explained everything in detail.
Hayden Sheffield's thin lips pressed into a line. "The Jennings family?"
He'd heard that name again.
...…
Night. Master bedroom.
Water sounded from the bathroom. Hayden Sheffield was taking a shower.
She stared at the fruit knife in her hand.
Hayden Sheffield was so powerful. She had no way to take revenge—unless she used her only advantage as the woman beside his pillow, waited until he let down his guard, and made her move!