Chapter 475
Natalie tossed the invitation card onto the nightstand before lying down on the bed. She inhaled deeply and said, “Nothing.”
Evidently, she was lost in her own world of thoughts.
Upon seeing the invitation card on the nightstand, Brandon took it and read it. His recent work schedule had been fairly full.
Many invitations had been sent to him and Natalie to attend this charity event, but he had always declined.
“Would you want to attend this fundraising dinner?”
Brandon raised an eyebrow and looked at the invitation before uttering calmly, “I do have two meetings on Saturday. But if you’d like to attend this charity dinner, t can always postpone my meetings until next week and accompany you.”
Natalie was hesitant.
“I don’t feel like it. However, when I contacted Laney just now, it looked like Mrs. Harding wanted her to attend the party. l’m just concerned about Laney because I sense that something bad might happen.”
She turned and addressed Brandon, “As you are aware, Laney has never encountered such a scenario before. laney will unquestionably be in a bad position if people purposefully cause her trouble.”
Brandon listened to Natalie attentively as he looked her in the eye.
“Mrs. Harding went in Laney’s room when we were on the phone, and I overheard their conversation. At the upcoming charity event, I have a feeling Mrs. Harding would like to humiliate Laney. Remember, I’ve been there before.”
Natalie clenched her teeth in contemplation.
This was the type of conduct that she strongly disapproved of.
Brandon held the irate Natalie in his arms and murmured in her ear while leaning against her, “Mrs. Harding and I met a few times while Garrett and I were both in high school. Back then, Garrett was known for his disobedience in school. His teachers were continually requesting his parents’ presence at school. Mrs. Harding always acted with grace and tenderness, like the most loving mother in the world, whenever she visited. lt was only later that I learned that his mother was quite possessive.”
This factored into Garrett’s rebellious character. This was a major reason why Garrett resisted taking over the Harding Group a few years ago.
“Garrett’s leaving makes sense. Now it is very evident that Laney is sad within the Harding household.”
Natalie let out a sigh.
For some reason, Brandon had never been curious about the family affairs of others. He wouldn’t have mentioned the Hardings at all if it weren’t for Natalie.
“Garrett now has taken over the Harding Group for Laney’s sake, but Mrs. Harding continues to wield control over them, and that will cause Garrett to leave once more.”
Brandon shook his head.
Just a matter of time, he figured, and Garrett would be gone again! Natalie gave Brandon a startled look.
“Your familiarity with Mrs. Harding begs the question: how did you get to know her so well? Have you interacted with her before?”
Brandon smiled lightly.
“Garrett’s constant whining about his family issues gave it away. Actually, he is still kind of lucky. While Mrs. Harding’s need to be in charge might be annoying at times, at least she has always been there in Garrett’s life.”
When Brandon was younger, he believed it would be a good thing if his mother kept nagging him.
At the time, he thought that Garrett was oblivious to his good luck.
Natalie’s heart skipped a beat, and what Brandon said made her feel sorry for him.
Natalie could see through Brandon. She saw the sadness under his normal composure.
As a kid, Brandon should have yearned for the love of his family.
Brandon envied the affection that Garrett received, despite Mrs. Harding’s strong desire for control.
Natalie lowered her head and smiled.
“What’s wrong with you?” she said, pretending to be bossy.
She stood up and brushed Brandon’s w*t hair out of his face.
“You need to dry your hair before you go to bed,” she added.
“If you catch a cold tomorrow, no one will look after you.”
Brandon was surprised; he’d never seen Natalie act bossy before.
“Won’t you stay and look after me?” he asked, amused.
Taking the hair dryer out of the drawer, Natalie smiled.
“Come here,” she said impassively, “and I’ll dry your hair.”
Brandon walked over to Natalie, still slightly confused.
“Why are you being so bossy all of a sudden?” he asked.
He tried to remember whether he’d said something to upset her.
“If I make you unhappy, you have to tell me,” he urged.
Natalie pursed her lips.
The hair dryer was a little noisy, and it drowned out her chuckle.
When Brandon’s hair was completely dry, Natalie switched off the dryer.
“Didn’t you secretly envy Garrett?” she asked softly.
“Well,” she continued, “I’ll let you experience a woman with a passion for dominance.”
Brandon smiled, moved.
Natalie could tell that he was in a good mood. She rolled her eyes, wr*pped her arms around his neck and snuggled into his arms.
“Brandon, I may be on a business trip in a few days.”
Brandon remained unbothered.
“Who are you going with?” he asked brightly.
“It’s Mr. Wesley,” Natalie replied.
“He’s taking me to the Iridescent Show. The show is only held once every five years, and I happened to be able to attend it this time. l’m very lucky.”
To placate Brandon as soon as possible, she mentioned Draco quickly and in a low voice, before emphasizing less relevant details.
Bandon, however, had good hearing.
As soon as he caught the key point, he pursed his lips and said, “Since you’ve already decided you’re going, you’re not discussing with me; you’re informing me.”
Natalie touched her nose.
Indeed, she had agreed to Draco without hesitation. She tugged at Brandon’s sleeve.
“But this is my job,” she reasoned.
“I can’t refuse. Besides, I went on business trips before. You didn’t object back then.”
Brandon’s mouth formed an unhappy line.
The fact that Natalie had to go on a business trip with Draco alone was upsetting. His good mood vanished.
Brandon kept his expression steady, however.
“We’ve only been reconciled for a while,” he said.
“You’ve been so busy with your work. There are rumors circulating about our divorce, which has had a significantly negative impact on the Larson Group. The Larson Group stock price has been dropping.”
Natalie didn’t know much about business, but she suspected that Brandon’s reasoning was a little far-fetched.
Would rumors of their divorce… Really affect the stock price of the Larson Group? ռօʋɛʟօʐ.ƈօʍ Moreover, Brandon was a man who didn’t care about other people’s opinions.
Letting go of Natalie, he put the hair dryer back in the drawer and lay down on the bed quietly.
Natalie turned to look at him. supporting her head with her hand.
Noticing the subtle expression on his face, she asked, “Are you jealous?”
Brandon didn’t know how to respond. He pulled the quilt up around himself and rolled over.
