Mandy’s internal battle raged on. Pride or Draco? After a moment that seemed like an eternity, she murmured,”Okay, fine. Out with it. What’s your Biting back laughter, Natalie whispered, “All right, buckle up. Here’s the inside scoop.”
Mandy exhaled, her eyes rolling dramatically. “Fine, enlighten me. But I’ll be the judge of its worth.”
With a smug grin Natalie leaned close, her voice a mere whisper, sharing a nugget of wisdom.
As Mandy processed the information, her eyes widened in disbelief. “Really? That’s all? Are you sure you’re not setting me up?”
A memory surfaced in Mandy’s mind: the unusual closeness between Natalie and Draco when Natalie worked at W Marks.Paranoia settled in.”Hang on… did you ever fancy Draco? Is this some kind of revenge ploy?”
Natalie threw her head back, laughing heartily.”Why would I look elsewhere when I’ve got Brandon? He’s every bit the man I’d ever want. Come on,be real. Mandy bit her lower lip, her gaze darting away.”I mean, yes, Brandon is amazing. But so is Draco. And given our historyI can’t help but wonder if you’re just trying to make a fool out of me.”
Pretending to be hurt, Natalie said, “Ouch, that stung. Do I really seem like the vindictive type?
Mandy looked embarrassed.”Nono, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just… Draco means a lot to me. I can’t bear the thought of messing things up.”
Natalie, feigning deep contemplation,replied, Well, if you’re going to be skeptical about it, suit yourself. Remember, I was just trying to do a good deed.”
After a thoughtful session of dress selection,Natalie took it upon herself to see Mandy off.
As the grand doors of the villa swung open,revealing the opulence of the lush garden beyond, a delicate figure caught Natalie’s attention.
Squinting to get a better view,Natalie recognized the ethereal presence.It wasAudreydraped in a flowing white dress,as if she were a portrait come to life. Her head was tilted downward,allowing a cascade of silken hair to fall, shielding her face. Yet there was no hiding the melancholy in her eyes or the rivulets of tears tracing pathways down her cheeks.
The sight was heartbreaking; even the often-reserved Natalie felt a pang of empathy.
Taking in the scene, Mandy’s voice broke through with a mix of confusion and annoyance. Hey,who’s she? And what’s her deal, crying in your backyard? A tad bit theatrical, isn’t it?”
Mandy’s upbringing among the elite meant she was used to the calculated dramas of high society. She had a discerning eye for genuine pain versus After a thoughtful session of dress selection,Natalie took it upon herself to see Mandy off.
As the grand doors of the villa swung open,revealing the opulence of the lush garden beyond, a delicate figure caught Natalie’s attention.
Squinting to get a better view,Natalie recognized the ethereal presence. It was Audreydraped in a flowing white dress,as if she were a portrait come to life. Her head was tilted downward, allowinga cascade of silken hair to fall,shielding her face Yet there was no hiding the melancholy in her eyes or the rivulets of tears tracing pathways down her cheeks.
The sight was heartbreaking even the often-reserved Natalie felt a pang of empathy.
Taking in the scene, Mandy’s voice broke through with a mix of confusion and annoyance.”Hey,who’s she? And what’s her deal, crying in your backyard? A tad bit theatrical, isn’t it?”
Mandy’s upbringing among the elite meant she was used to the calculated dramas of high society. She had a discerning eye for genuine pain versus orchestrated vulnerability. The latter, especially coming from those outside her circle, irked her no end.
Sighing, Natalie offereda quick explanation.”Oh, that’s Brandon’s cousin. It seems she’s run into some trouble and wants to meet Brandon.”
“Brandon’s cousin?” Mandy’s eyebrows knit together, a veil of suspicion forming. Her intuition sharpened by witnessing the underhanded dealings of the Wealthy, was setting off alarm bells.
Natalie, sensing the need to elaborate,replied,”Her mom recently passed. She wishes for her to be laid to rest next to Brandon’s mother. You know how much Brandon values his family memories, so he’s on board with the idea.”
Mandy, though wary of Audreydidn’t see any immediate threat. She decided not to press further, aiming to make a graceful exit.
Casting a glance back at Audrey Natalie smiled sheepishly and said,”I apologize for letting you see this.”
However, as they moved towards the car, she couldn’t resist a parting piece of advice.”Natalie, just… keep an eye out.
Natalie, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift, queried, “Eye out? For what exactly?”
Mandy leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper.”That cousin of Brandon’s? Something’s off.”
With her eyes wide open, Natalie asked in surprise,”What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing…” Mandy said hesitantly. “I can’t place it, but I recall a recent scandal in Barnes that was eerily similar to this.”
Natalie’s intrigueintensified.”Ascandal? Tellme more.” Drawing a deep breath, Mandy began,You might be out of the loop since you just got back. But a fortnight ago, one of Barnes’elite had a visit from a cousin’and,we….
She hesitated, her expression inscrutable.
Impatiently, Natalie pressed onAnd then what happened?”
“Then.. Mandy trailed off, her voice dripping with a mix of revulsion and condescension.”That ‘cousin’ of his? It turns out she was expecting his baby.Yeah, she’s still nestled in their grandiose mansion, belly growing day by day.
Natalie’s jaw dropped, the color draining from her face.”Wait, are you serious? Pregnant? By her own cousin? That’s… I mean, I’ve heard some wild tales, but this? It’s just too… beyond.”
Mandy smirked, rolling her eyes. Oh, come on. This kind of juicy gossip is a dime a dozen among the elites. Everyone’s angling to snag a wealthy partner. If a little cousin-cousin drama helps the cause, then why not?”
Struggling to find her voice, Natalie replied, “But… I mean, Brandon? He wouldn’t do something like that. Mandy patted Natalie’s shoulder, her smirk widening.”Honey,wake up! The stars of that scandalous affair were cousins too.”
As Mandy’s footsteps gradually receded, Natalie stood there, her mind a whirl of confusion. Shaking her head, she tried to dispel the wild thoughts crowding her brain. But as she was about to re-enter the villa, her gaze was drawn to the garden. There, framed against an ornate pillar,was Audrey,tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
Taking a deep breath Natalie steeled herself and approached the distraught figure The soft rustling of her footsteps made Audrey look up, hope shining in hereyesperhaps expecting Brandon. Quickly arranging her face into the most woebegone expression shecould muster she was startled when she recognized janet”Miss… I mean, Natalie? What are you doing here?” Audrey’s voice quivered, her surprise evident.
Natalie arched an eyebrow.”Well, considering it’s my garden, the better question is, what are you doing. here?”
“I…” Audrey hesitated, momentarily lost for words. Natalie, her tone softer but still wary, inquired, “Why all the tears? Need a shoulder? Or is there something else you’d like help with?”
Audrey’s tear-filled eyes darted downward, her voice barely audible.”They’ve retrieved my mother’s ashes. I’m just waiting for Brandon. I want to discuss with him when I can lay her to rest.
With the sun blazing relentlessly overhead, Natalie squinted against its bright rays.It’s scorching out here,” she remarked, fanning herself with a hand.”You might want to reconsider roasting in this heat; sunstroke’s no joke. Why don’t you head inside and cool off? If Brandon swings by,I’ll be sure to chat with him about your mom’s ashes. Promise to keep you in the loop.”
Although Audrey’s behavior raised a few of Natalie’s eyebrows, she wrestled down the nagging suspicion. Taking a deep breath,she reached out and gently squeezed Audrey’s shoulder”Look, I can’t even begin to imagine how you’re feeling. But I do know one thing: your mom wouldn’t want you drowning in sorrow.”
Audreyofferedaweaksmile,moisture still glistening in her eyes.”I appreciate it, truly. But.. She hesitated, her gaze darting away for a split second.”I’d rather wait and speak with Brandon face-to-face.”
Something in Audrey’s tone sent shivers down Natalie’s spine.Theuneaseshe’dmomentarily dismissed surged back.”Why the insistence on talking directly to Brandon? If you hang around waiting for him,you might turn into a raisin in this sun,”she quipped, but her light tone was betrayed by her furrowed brow.
Drawing her hand across her cheeks, catching the stray tears, Audrey murmured, “It’s just… I need to personally handle my mother’s affairs with my family. I hope you get it, Natalie.”
Was Audrey implying she was an outsider? A flood of unease washed over Natalie. Memories of Audrey’s past provocations clicked into place.
She had dismissed them before, but with Mandy’s words echoing in her mind, a mosaic of doubt and suspicion was beginning to form.
Could Audrey truly be trying to win over Brandon? Audrey shifted uneasily, breaking Natalie from her reverie.”Natalie,maybe you should head in? Get a cold drink or something. I can hold down the fort here.” A skeptical brow arched on Natalie’s face.”Are you sure you don’t want any help?”
Audrey, a bit too hastily, replied,”No, but thanks. Watching Audrey’s not-so-subtle hints for her to take a hike, Natalie’s suspicions deepened. It was becoming clearer that Audrey harbored some feelings for Brandon.
But, deep down, she trusted Brandon implicitly.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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