Chapter 766
With his arm around her shoulder, Brandon gently said, “As a boss, you shouldn’t make your assistant work overtime on opening day. Let’s head back; the client isn’t going anywhere.”
Natalie sighed, feeling helpless since Lexi had already left and she couldn’t investigate further.
“I guess things have to be left as they are. I’ll look into it tomorrow.” Brandon smiled and led her to the car.
With her chin propped up, she gazed out the window, contemplating how to address Carly’s issue.
It wasn’t until the car stopped and she saw the unfamiliar scenery outside that she realized something was off.
“Aren’t we supposed to be going home? Where are we?”
Grinning, Brandon revealed, “Today’s the first day your studio is open. I booked a table at your favorite restaurant to celebrate your business’s successful launch.”
As he spoke, he exited the car and gallantly opened the door for Natalie, extending his hand to help her out.
Natalie smiled and took Brandon’s hand.
“That’s so sweet of you.”
Brandon had arranged for the restaurant to prepare Natalie’s favorite dishes, and once they were seated, the waiter brought the food to the table one by one.
Natalie felt grateful seeing her husband being so thoughtful and attentive.
She looked at the handsome man across from her and said affectionately, “Thank you, Brandon.”
Brandon poured a glass of wine for Natalie and gently replied, “You don’t have to thank me.”
After all the dishes were served, the waiter brought a special cake that Brandon had customized.
Upon seeing the cake, Natalie furrowed her brows and asked, “Why is the cake this flavor?”
Usually, Brandon knew her preferences; why would he order a cake in her least favorite flavor? Brandon also frowned.
“This isn’t the flavor I ordered. Did you bring the wrong cake?”
“Isn’t this the cake you two ordered?” The waiter quickly checked the order and confirmed with the kitchen.
It wasn’t until Brandon’s impatience grew that they realized the cake was indeed meant for another table.
“I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”
The waiter hastily apologized, “There was another table nearby that also ordered a cake, and both cakes were accidentally switched. I’ll go and get it replaced right now.”
Brandon didn’t want to make a scene and simply waved his hand, allowing the waiter to correct the mistake.
Suddenly, a detached voice rang out.
“I’m sorry, but I already ate your cake. I’ll buy you a new one to make up for it.”
Both Natalie and Brandon turned to see the tall, handsome man.
Jeremy Button approached them with a smile on his lips, his black eyes gleaming with a mysterious aura.
“Brandon, Natalie, long time no see! Your happy and peaceful days are about to end. Are you ready to face my storm?” Jeremy thought to himself.
The moment Brandon’s gaze fell upon the stranger, an inexplicable sense of unease surged within him.
Casting an icy stare, he retorted, “Forget it. Compensation is unnecessary.” With an air of contrition, Jeremy replied, “That’s not fair. The cake wasn’t inexpensive, and I feel really bad about it.”
Natalie chimed in, shaking her head, “Just keep it. No need for reimbursement.”
Jeremy feigned an apologetic sigh.
“Very well, then. I appreciate the cake. Enjoy your repast.”
Having spoken, he offered a faint smile, pivoted, and retreated to his seat.
Observing Jeremy’s table, Natalie’s heart plummeted.
Why were all the people gathered there familiar faces from the Turner clan? What ties bounded him to that family? Brandon, too, perceived something amiss and his brow furrowed in response.
“Brandon, do you recognize him?”
Natalie nudged him and arched an inquisitive brow.
“What’s his connection with the Turners? And what are the odds he’d just happen to eat our cake? Mere happenstance, or something more?”
Brandon glanced at Jeremy, frowning slightly.
“There has been a sudden change in the Turner family ever since you ran away from home,” Brandon said.
Natalie’s beautiful eyes narrowed as she asked, “A sudden change?” Brandon nodded.
“Luke fell seriously ill after that, and Catherine desperately tried to seek medical help for him. With no one in charge, the Turner family was in complete chaos.”
He continued to explain in a low voice, “At that time, a man named Jeremy Button appeared. Not only did he stabilize the situation in the Turner family, but he also acquired a significant portion of the Turner family’s shares. Now, he is the largest shareholder of the Turner family’s business.”
Natalie looked at the man who was surrounded by a group of people and treated with great respect by the members of the Turner family.
“I think he must be Jeremy Button,” she said.
Brandon took a sip of red wine, a playful smile lingering on his lips.
“The Turner family has almost become his property. This man seems to be very resourceful.” Shocked, Natalie couldn’t quite process the situation.
The Turner family used to reign over the leading industries in Barnes.
Natalie could not believe that in the short time she was away from home, things had already gotten so much worse.
She was skeptical about someone pulling strings to cause the downfall of the Turner family.
Tilting her head, Natalie looked at Brandon questioningly and asked, “Did you have anything to do with this?”
Brandon raised his brows and (flashed a contemptuous smile.
“I won’t bother doing anything behind the scene for the measly Turner family.”
Although Natalie was now sure that Brandon did not have anything to do with the Turner family’s affairs, she couldn’t help feeling an hint of unease in her heart ever since she met Jeremy.
She sensed that something bad would happen.
Natalie pondered for a while and said, “But I have a feeling that this Jeremy is very suspicious.” She had never heard of such a figure in Barnes before, so where did this Jeremy come from and how did he quickly take over the Turner family? Natalie’s tone became serious all of a sudden as she said, “This guy just gives me the creeps. Was the cake thing really just a coincidence?”
After all the perilous situations that she and Brandon had been through, she was naturally more cautious now.
She was afraid that someone else might show up out of the blue to cause trouble.
Brandon tapped his fingers on the tabletop, lost in thought.
“You’re right. The timing of his appearance is just too suspicious. I’ll have my people investigate him,” he assured. After Jeremy returned to his seat, the members of the Turner family seemed hesitant to say what they wanted to.
Jeremy glanced at them questioningly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Just say what you want to.
Did you seriously ask me to come over just to have dinner?”
After exchanging glances among themselves, an elderly member of the Turner family spoke up.
“Mr. Button, you know how peculiar Mr. Turner’s illness is, and how rapidly it has been developing. However, the Turner family cannot function without Mr. Turner, and that’s why we want to ask you how long it would take for him to recover.”
Jeremy smiled meaningfully and said, “Well, about Mr. Turner… He may need to continue getting treatment for some more time. Are you all not satisfied with the way I manage the company? If you have any grievances or suggestions, please feel free to voice them. I will listen to them with an open mind.” Although Jeremy’s words and his tone sounded humble and courteous, his cold gaze made everyone in the room feel uneasy.
A few members of the Turner family noticed that something was not right and waved their hands, smiling awkwardly to show that nothing was wrong.
“No, Mr. Button, you misunderstood us. There have been no problems with the way you manage the company. We’re only concerned about Mr. Turner’s health,” one of them said.
“Yes, the stock price of the company has risen significantly since you took charge of the business, Mr. Button. Young people like you have a better understanding of the markets than we do.”
“That’s right!” the others chimed in.
With a meaningful smile, Jeremy said in a low voice, “I understand now. I am relieved since you all don’t have any problems with my management.”
He knew very well that he did not have the trust of the older members of the Turner family.
Not only did they not trust him, but they also made covert moves behind his back, including secretly investigating Luke’s illness in an attempt to overthrow him.
However, none of that posed a threat to him.
He had plenty of ways to make them obey him.
Or, he could simply get rid of them.
After all, dealing with the Turners would be a piece of cake for him.
