However, Lauren hadn’t even seen Sebastian’s two brothers since he married Natalie.
This whole time, she had been waiting for an opportunity to introduce Cassie to his brothers.
That way, Cassie would have a chance to marry into the Klein family.
This was Lauren’s elaborate plan, which was why she was shocked that Natalie wanted to sever their relationship.
“You hired someone to rape me.Do you really think I’m an idiot and a pushover? Of course I want to cut all ties with you!” Natalie was so angry that she laughed bitterly.
Lauren narrowed her eyes at Natalie, wondering if she could still take advantage of her despite the odds.
But Natalie didn’t want to waste time here anymore.
“If you disagree to my terms, I’ll call the police.It’s as simple as that.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned around to leave.
George stomped angrily and pointed at Lauren, nostrils flaring.
“What the hell were you thinking? Now that things have come to this, severing ties should be the least of your worries! Why in God’s name are you hesitating?”
Lauren turned and whined in George‘s ear, “We’ve fed and clothed her for years.1 can’t just let her go like this!”
If they severed ties, Lauren would no longer be able to dangle Natalie on a string, using the fact that their family had taken her in to guilt her.
George‘s face contorted in anger.He had no idea that Lauren was so shameless.
“Then go to jail! I don’t give a damn, you hopeless woman!”
“Why, you”
Lauren gritted her teeth and glared at George angrily.She was doing all of this for the sake of the Quinn family after all.
In this way, Cassie would find a good husband and that bitch Natalie would never dare to talk to them like this ever again! “Have you decided yet? If it’ll help you choose faster, I’ll call the police already.”
Without waiting for a response, Natalie picked up her phone and unlocked it.
“No! Don’t you dare. call the police!”
Lauren iried to yank the phone out of Natalie’s hands, but Natalie dodged her advance deftly. She was so anxious that she nearly bit her lip until it bled.
Now that she was cornered, she had no choice but to submit.
She buried her face in her hands and slumped onto the sofa, crying pathetically, “Fine! We’ll cut all ties! Satisfied now? What an ungrateful child!”
After putting her phone down, Natalie looked at her pitiful figure, unfazed.
“Then let’s go and get it done officially now.”
They immediately went to the Department of Civil Affairs to finalize the formalities.
When everything was settled and they were about to go their separate ways, Lauren cursed Natalie under her breath.
“We have painstakingly raised you for so many years. You are so heartless to cut ties with us.”
People passing by all looked in the direction where Natalie was standing.
“Me? Heartless? Okay, I’ll go to the police station now.” Natalie shrugged indifferently.
If they kept pushing her like this, she was more than capable of defending herself.
“You, you…!”
Lauren’s nostrils flared uncontrollably.She was so angry that she pointed a finger at Natalie in front of all the passers-by.
George didn’t want Lauren to cause them any more trouble than she already had, so he hurriedly dragged her into the car Only when the car drove away did Natalie finally relax.
Her shoulders drooped, as though she had no strength left in her anymore.
“It’s good that you’ve finally gotten rid of them.Otherwise, the Quinn family would keep on making things hard for you in the future,” Sebastian commented nonchalantly, slipping his arm around her slender waist..
Natalie turned to him and buried her face in his chest.She muttered, “I just don’t understand why she always hates me.I never did anything to her!”
“It’s not your fault, okay?”
Sebastian rested his chin on the woman’s forehead, and stroking her back gently.
Their shadows overlapped on the ground.
Time stopped for no one, and life went on.
The following day, when Natalie got to the office, she ran into Tiffany.
“Why did you ask for another leave yesterday?” Tiffany asked calmly, but her eyes looked at Natalie sharply.
Natalie shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze.
“I’m sorry. There was something I had to deal with at home.” Tiffany pursed her red lips.
“No need to be so nervous, Quinn.I’m not going to bite you. You didn’t make it to yesterday’s meeting so I just came to catch you up to speed. The design department will select a new batch of designers for promotion, and there are only three vacancies.”
As soon as Natalie sat down at her desk, Gerda swiveled her chair around to face Natalie.
“Did you hear the news? The annual intermediate designer evaluation is about to begin.Everyone‘s been running around like headless chickens trying to prepare for it.By the way, why’d you go on leave again yesterday?”
“Something urgent came up at home.” After taking a sip of water, Natalie glanced around at the bustling office.
“It seems everyone’s excited.”
“Of course everyone’s excited. This is a good chance to be promoted.Besides, the fall—-winter fashion week is approaching.Everyone is secretly competing with each other.”
Then, Gerda leaned over and whispered in her car, “There are only three positions.All the new designers are itching to get a spot.I know of two who have been working here for a while now, and they both have performed excellently.I just know that they’ll get the promotion -but as for the third position, it’s hard to say who will get it”
“There’s a lot of people in our department.The competition must be tough.”
Natalie pressed her lips nervously, sensing that a fierce battle was about to begin.
While the battle had not yet begun per se, people were already loading their weapons.
“Well, what choice do we have? I know I’m way out of their league, so I’m pretty chill.After all, there are too many strong competitors this year.I feel like I’ll just be cannon fodder out there.”
Gerda sighed bitterly.
Then, she looked at Natalie and her eyes lit up.
“You and Kaya might have a chance.”
“Kaya?”
Natalie blinked at her colleague questioningly.
“You know, Kaya Dixon-oh, right! She went abroad to study so you haven’t met her yet.” Gerda‘s eyes wandered towards the tea room and she pouted.
“That’s her.”
Natalie followed her gaze and saw a slender woman with short hair.
Kaya’s eyes met hers.She strode towards Natalie, high heels clicking against the floor, and she asked, “Are you Natalie Quinn? Nice to meet you.I‘m Kaya Dixon.”
“Hello.”
Natalie smiled and shook hands with her politely.
“I heard that the company has a big upcoming project, and that many designers will need to participate.It’s said that this will be used as a reference for the promotion.I‘m looking forward to your performance,” Kaya nodded and smiled at Natalie with grace.
It seemed that Miss Dixon had already regarded her as a potential competitor.
“Oh, thanks.I also look forward to your designs.”
