Chapter 85 – The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free

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Vivian tried to look as if she appreciated Samuel’s expression of gratitude, but it was obvious that she wasn’t in good spirits. The waiter brought their desserts, and they carried on with their meal, acting as if the matter was now closed. Vivian was silent. Samuel couldn’t bear to see her like this; however, since he was sitting between her and Bryce, it was hard for him to say anything, so he just pretended to be enjoying his food.

After dessert, Bryce went to the bathroom. Vivian watched him go, her face sad and pale. When she was sure Bryce couldn’t hear her, she said imploringly, “Samuel, tell me, what did I do wrong? How can Bryce treat me like this?”

Samuel comforted her, “We grew up together. You know how he can be. That’s just the kind of person he is. Don’t take it personally. It’s not about you, it’s about him.”

Although he spoke convincingly, in truth he didn’t really believe what he was saying, but he didn’t want her to feel bad. Her expression seemed to ease a little, but she couldn’t hide her continued disappointment.

She said, “Of course, I know how he can behave, but it feels to me as if his heart is very cold, and I can’t warm it up.” She was silent for a moment before saying icily, “Don’t tell me that Bryce could forget what happened all those years ago.”

Samuel sighed and said, “Vivian, who really knows? How can we know what’s going on in his head?”

Vivian looked at him bitterly, thinking that even if he knew, he wouldn’t necessarily tell her the truth. But she still couldn’t hold back from saying, “Samuel, do you think Bryce could ever love me?”

He suddenly felt a bit irritated, as if he were being backed into a corner. He took a sip of wine and said with a sigh, “I really don’t know.” He could see that her expression was getting darker and sadder. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn’t say the words she wanted to hear. He stood up abruptly, wanting to escape, and said, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Walking away from the table, he didn’t really know what he was running away from. He washed his face in the bathroom to refresh himself, and when he came out afterward, he saw Bryce outside, smoking in a little garden area. Samuel stepped outside and said, “Bryce, what are you doing out here? Aren’t you coming back inside?” He smiled, guessing that Bryce was probably trying to avoid rejoining Vivian.

Bryce blew out a mouthful of cigarette smoke and shrugged. Samuel said, “Bryce, I have something I must say to you.”

Bryce shrugged again, and Samuel continued, “How can you be so cold towards Vivian? You know what she feels about you, don’t you? Isn’t it a little cruel what you’re doing to her?”

Everyone could see that Vivian was sweet on Bryce, and it wasn’t like he himself didn’t know. Bryce inhaled a last mouthful of smoke and let out a soft laugh. The luster in his eyes suddenly became unclear, and he said, “Samuel, if I push her away from me, maybe you and she will have a chance together. What do you think?”

Seeing Samuel’s sudden change of expression on hearing this, he continued sympathetically, “You want me to be more friendly to her, but I can’t give her what she wants. So why should I let her keep her hopes alive?”

The warm light from the window hit Bryce’s face as he paced around. He looked tortured. For a moment, Samuel thought that he had never seen his friend look like this before. He felt that maybe he knew nothing about him after all, despite their years of friendship. Samuel let out a long sigh and realized that Bryce was right. But he felt a sudden surge of anger well up and he said, “So why don’t you say it straight to her? And what’s your purpose in marrying Natalie, for God’s sake? So that Vivian will give up hope?”

Bryce looked at him coldly and said, “That’s my business and no one else’s. I suggest you stop concerning yourself with my affairs and instead think about how you might gain Vivian’s favor if that’s what you want.” Then Bryce left Samuel on his own.

It seemed that he didn’t know how to explain in detail about Natalie. But Samuel had seen the gentleness in Bryce’s eyes when he mentioned Natalie. He and Bryce were like brothers; they’d grown up together. His intuition was not mistaken.

After Bryce left Samuel, he didn’t go home but instead went upstairs to where the Star Entertainment party was being held. He remembered Natalie mentioning that she didn’t drink much because her alcohol tolerance was low. Although he didn’t want to admit to himself that he was worried something would happen if Natalie drank too much, he still went upstairs. He decided to make sure that Natalie was okay with his own eyes so that he could be at ease.

And in fact, Natalie wasn’t in good shape. Since the start of the party, many people had come over to toast her, raising their glasses in salute. She had been unable to refuse their good wishes, and after so many drinks, she was now feeling pretty drunk. Yet another person toasted to her health, and they drank. She felt dizzy when she had finished that drink. She leaned weakly against the sofa, and an unnatural flush appeared on her face.

Tony said, “Natalie, Natalie, are you okay?” He looked at her worriedly. She closed her eyes and swayed, and her face turned even redder. She rested for a while, but she didn’t feel any better. On the contrary, she felt dizzier and dizzier, and her body was hot. She realized that she must be drunk.

She laughed, then walked slowly and unsteadily towards the bathroom. Tony took her arm, his face full of worry. “Natalie, are you all right? Do you want me to come with you?”

Natalie shook her head. “No, Tony, thank you. I’m fine. Well, maybe I’m just a little drunk. I need to go to the bathroom, that’s all. Don’t worry about me.” She gritted her teeth and forced herself to focus as she slowly made her way to the bathroom alone. She didn’t want to make a scene that would embarrass Tony, not with so many people there.

Tony guessed this. He watched her weave across the room towards the hallway to the bathroom. He somehow felt deeply uneasy, but once Natalie had made it to the door, he turned back towards the center of the room. No one noticed that when Natalie left, Mark Ellington followed her outside.

 

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