Chapter 665
Elizabeth followed him and presented him with a cake, saying, “This is for you.Aunt Sophia knows that it’s your favorite.”
Frank accepted the cake with a concealed grin.
“I require your assistance with one more matter.Please keep Natalie’s presence here confidential.She confided in Aunt Sophia and me, and I cannot betray her trust,”
Elizabeth inquired warily, aware that she was making a significant request of Frank.
Frank scowled, feeling powerless as he said, “Honestly, there are guards dispatched by Brandon stationed downstairs.Even if I remained silent, Brandon would know Natalie’s presence here.He probably already had.”
“In any case, you mustn’t inform him.If I discover you revealed this to him, you will spend your life with Brandon Larson.And I will never speak to you.”
Elizabeth warned firmly.
Seeing the unwavering resolution in his girlfriend’s expression, Frank promptly consented.
“Alright, I won’t divulge anything to Brandon.”
The living room’s television channel was in flux, shifting and morphing into something new.
Sophia let out a tired yawn, feeling heavy-eyed.
Natalie urged her to rest, so Sophia slowly began her walk to retire for the night.
The front door then opened and closed shut.
Natalie looked up and noticed that Elizabeth had returned from seeing Frank off downstairs.
A sense of unease crept over Natalie as she asked, “Is Frank upset?”
The realization suddenly dawned on her that she had been too harsh on Frank.
“He’s not upset.He left with a smile on his face,”
Elizabeth said as she walked over, sat down, and switched the TV channel.
“He won’t inform Brandon about it, so don’t worry.Just stay here.”
“I already told Frank in the kitchen earlier.Please don’t take it out on him because of me.I can handle my issues with Brandon.”
Natalie was anxious that Frank and Elizabeth might argue because of her.
“It’s fine.Despite Frank’s usual aloofness, he’s quite timid.I was only trying to shake him a bit, and he quickly promised not to tell Brandon,”
Elizabeth chuckled and explained.
“You two seem to get along well.”
A smile graced Natalie’s lips.
As she realized they were alone, her thoughts soon drifted back to Brandon.
Elizabeth noticed she was preoccupied and hesitantly asked, “Did you and Brandon fight? Usually, you two seem to have a good relationship.For you to have run away from home, something big must have happened.”
Natalie was seated on the sofa, feeling depressed.
Elizabeth couldn’t tell what was going through Natalie’s mind, but a tinge of sadness was visible on her beautiful profile.
Once someone who loved to talk and laugh, Natalie was now unusually quiet and withdrawn.
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
Natalie didn’t want to discuss it any further.
As Natalie withdrew from the conversation, Elizabeth’s expression grew increasingly solemn.She had a sinking feeling that something terrible had happened to her friend.
Worried, Elizabeth asked hastily, “Please tell me the truth, Natalie.Is it bad? What did Brandon do to you? Did…Did he assault you?”
Natalie shook her head with a faint smile, deciding she shouldn’t disclose to others that Brandon had once suffered from amnesia.She didn’t delve into the details but replied, “No, he didn’t physically hurt me.Don’t worry too much.However, he hid something significant from me.Everyone around him was aware, and I was the only one left in the dark for a long time, like an idiot.That’s why I’m mad.”
Elizabeth furrowed her brows and said firmly, “I’m on your side.As a couple, Brandon shouldn’t have kept anything from you.”
When she finished speaking, Elizabeth looked somewhat concerned.
“But then again, running away from home isn’t a solution.You could have just had a heated argument with him at home instead of leaving with such a heavy suitcase.”
“I couldn’t bear to stay at home and see his stupid face!” Natalie replied, her voice filled with sadness.
“Were your parents aware of it? Maybe you can stay at your parents ‘ house before you and Brandon sort things out.”
Elizabeth was concerned that Natalie might not wish to remain here any longer and she couldn’t really make her stay in that case.
Therefore she believed it would be preferable to encourage Natalie to stay with her parents.
At least they could keep her safe.
When Johanna and Beal were mentioned, Natalie’s facial expression became more intricate.She clarified, “I cannot go back to them either.They aided Brandon in concealing it from me.”
She remained furious, and the possibility of returning home and having a heated argument with her parents was high.
Nonetheless, after hearing a reminder from Elizabeth, Natalie recollected that Johanna appeared unwell before she left.Her parents had been kind to her ever since she was found.
Specifically, Johanna had nearly spoiled her.
As Natalie contemplated her mother’s worry for her, she began to feel remorseful.
Hastily, she retrieved her coat and announced, “Elizabeth, I have to step out for a while and may return late.”
“You shouldn’t go out so late because it’s dangerous.Wait until tomorrow.”
Elizabeth immediately halted her.
Natalie tossed and turned while lying on the sofa even after midnight.She gazed at her cell phone while bean contemplating whether or not she should contact Brandon to inquire about Johanna.Her phone instantly lit up.
A message from Brandon appeared, informing her that Johanna was in good condition.
She had been better after taking the medicine that the doctor had prescribed.
A bitter smile crept onto Natalie’s face as she couldn’t control her conflicted emotions, causing her eyes to become slightly reddened.
Brandon seemed to understand her all too well.
Natalie couldn’t help but wonder why someone who seemed to read her thoughts, like Brandon, would choose to deceive her.
Natalie enveloped herself in the quilt, inadvertently brushing against the warm tears at the corner of her eye.She reminded herself that she needed to go to work tomorrow, urging herself not to overthink and instead get a good night’s rest.
The Larson Group building was blindingly illuminated at that time.
Brandon looked up from the stack of papers and into the phone.
His dark eyes significantly narrowed.
Carrying the takeout, Sean entered the room and involuntarily shuddered.
“Mr.Larson, I have brought dinner.The room feels chilly.I’ll start by turning up the heat.”
Sean neatly arranged the dishes on the table and handed the tableware to Brandon.
“Mr.Larson, please have your dinner first.You have been occupied all night.”
“Please have your meal before you work on the document to avoid staining it.”
Brandon appeared visibly disheartened, indicating that he was in a somber mood that evening.
Without hesitation, Sean fearlessly reminded him, “Mr.Larson, as per Mrs.Larson’s instructions, I am responsible for overseeing you eating on time, and these dishes are some of your favorites.Please have some.”
Brandon refused to have dinner.
Sean was concerned about whether he would manage without any sustenance.
Upon learning that Natalie had made the request, Brandon halted his work and directed his attention toward Sean.
He played with his pen and inquired, “What else did she instruct you to do?”
Sean cleared his throat and promptly retrieved a small notebook from his jacket.
“I have taken note of all the instructions regarding your diet and daily schedule, Mr.Larson.Mrs.Larson specifically asked me to oversee your dietary habits.But this was before you two had a conflict.”
As Brandon perused the notebook’s contents, his countenance turned grim.
“Mr.Larson, you should not have kept your condition a secret from her.She is more resilient than we give her credit for.
Remember when Draco was poisoned and urgently hospitalized? Mrs.Larson single- handedly attended the Iridescent Show and managed the entire W Marks Studio.She is not an incapable woman.”
Sean faltered and touched the back of his head.
After setting the notepad down, Brandon gave Sean a melancholy glance.
Out of nowhere, he instructed Sean, “Tomorrow afternoon’s meeting should be postponed.I have to visit a place first.”
Following their work in the studio on the second day, Natalie bid farewell to Elizabeth and departed from Sophia’s home.
Before parting ways, Elizabeth wore a concerned expression and was hesitant to see Natalie leave.
“If you decide to return and stay for a few more days, call my phone, and I’ll come and pick you up.”
“I only want to visit my parents and check up on them.I will return.”
Afterward, Natalie turned around and entered the taxi to the White family’s residence.
The taxi arrived at the White family’s home, but it took a while for Natalie to summon her courage to open the door and step inside.
Upon arriving, Natalie found that the White family’s home was in disarray.
Servants scurried in and out of the rooms carrying all kinds of things in their hands while several unfamiliar men lingered in the living room.
