Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free >>
About ten minutes later, Natalie heard the sound of footsteps in the hallway outside. Her heart leapt into her throat because she knew the person outside must be the culprit. The footsteps got closer and clearer; she was sure they were coming toward her room. The footsteps stopped directly outside the door, then the door opened and Howard Claire walked in.
What the hell, thought Natalie. Howard, you jerk!
Howard smiled and said airily, “Ah, Natalie, did you miss me? I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting.” He approached her with a smirk on his face.
Natalie slowly retreated, glaring fiercely at Howard, her eyes full of hatred. She said, “You! How dare you treat me like this? How dare you! I advise you to let me out of this room right now, otherwise you will regret it.”
Even though she spoke forcefully, she was still frightened. Howard smiled and cocked his head to one side, saying sarcastically, “Really? I think that maybe I’ll just take my chances and wait and see what kind of revenge you can arrange.”
He was unconcerned. Natalie was in a weakened state and had no one to aid her. His arrogance meant that her threat of revenge sounded totally hollow to him.
She suddenly shouted, “Howard, you jerk! Let me out!” She was surprised at her own vehemence and bad language. The tension and fear had broken through all her normal habits of calm and reserve.
Howard remained unmoved. He looked at her with a lustful expression on his face, then he walked over towards her, unbuttoning his shirt. Natalie broke out in a cold sweat. She knew what he wanted. She wanted to strike back but realized that she would be no match for him in a fight. All she could do now was retreat.
He lunged at her, grabbing at her dress. She tried to dodge away, but he had a hold of her. She twisted, trying to escape his grip. He pushed her towards the bed. She struggled, but her strength couldn’t compete with Howard’s, especially given the weakening effects of the drug. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep fighting.
She shouted again, “Howard, you bastard! Let me go, you bastard!”
Howard kept hold of Natalie and said through clenched teeth, “Shush. Natalie, you really should try and oblige me. You know the influence I have. If you cooperate with me, you can attain endless wealth and success in your career. As long as you obey me, I will help you immensely.”
Natalie was terrified. Her only hope was that someone would come and save her, but this was a very faint hope. In her despair, she was still struggling with all her might, but Howard didn’t seem to have much patience left. He wanted her now.
Meanwhile, Bryce had been busy downstairs summoning the hotel manager. When the manager arrived, Bryce demanded, “Quick, show me the surveillance footage for this hallway and beyond.”
The manager recognized him and replied respectfully, “Certainly, Mr. Clare. Please come with me.” The manager led him to the surveillance room and asked the operator to show him the surveillance footage he wanted to see.
By tracking the footage from different cameras, they were able to determine that Natalie had been taken against her will to the presidential suite on the sixth floor. As the footage continued to play, it showed Howard going into the presidential suite sometime after she had been taken there.
Bryce’s expression turned extremely dark when he saw this, and his fists clenched so tight that the knuckles turned white. The manager looked at him, and Bryce’s expression made him quake in his boots. The manager wanted to say something but hesitated. This was delicate. He falteringly said, “Mr. Clare, I—”
Bryce snorted and said coldly, “Call the police right now.”
The manager said quaveringly, “Call the police?” He looked at Bryce in confusion. Howard was Bryce’s cousin. Was calling the police really appropriate?
Bryce’s face was white with fury now. He shouted, “What are you waiting for? Do it, man!”
The manager trembled and nodded. He knew that Bryce held the real power in the Clare family. Howard, in comparison, had no power and no influence, and the manager did not want to get involved in a civil war between the two cousins. Bryce stood there muttering, “Howard, how could he? If he thought that he could get away with this, he was badly, badly mistaken.”
Bryce was going to wait for the police because if he went up to the room himself, he was afraid that he might kill Howard and bring shame on the whole Clare family. The manager stood beside Bryce, sweating uncomfortably. The hostility on Bryce’s face made him uneasy. Bryce glared at the manager and said, “Go find Samuel Hammond and tell him to come up here quickly.”
The manager left hurriedly.