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CH 56
Natalie turned around and saw Curtis Westing and Mark Ellington standing there. She thought that the two of them were probably just there to mock her. Tony also heard Ellington’s voice and stopped working out. He hurriedly walked up to Natalie. Ellington said,
“Natalie, you really have a celebrity to look after. I see it’s a good job. I don’t need to use the gym, not with such a high-profile artist using it. Why don’t you guys just go and spread some more rumors on the internet? Who knows, maybe someone in the media might be willing to report on it.”
He smiled disdainfully, and Curtis Westing laughed dryly.
Natalie said sarcastically,
“I don’t need your public relations advice. I’m quite capable of looking after my people. I even have my eyes on someone to team him up with to create a power couple on screen.”
Ellington was even more dismissive as he shook his head and smiled, telling Natalie not to get lost in useless delusions. He said mockingly,
“I don’t think so. Bubble hasn’t been in the public eye for long. He doesn’t have a fan following like other stars. How are you going to find an audience for him or any of his pals?”
Natalie retorted directly,
“You don’t really have to worry about Tony or his image in public. Last time I heard that you were preparing a plan to make it public that you were gay. Your idea was pretty good. When are you planning to go through with it?”
Ellington’s expression darkened, and he glared at Natalie. His teeth were bared like an animal’s. She raised her eyebrows and smirked.
“You just can’t control yourself, huh? That’s not a good look you’ve got there with your teeth showing. Do you think you can still scare me and Tony like that?”
As she spoke, Natalie put her arm around Tony’s shoulder protectively, projecting strength and confidence.
Ellington was incensed.
“What do you mean by being so rude to me?”
He was so angry that his speech was becoming disjointed. A few other workers who were watching from the sidelines couldn’t help but laugh loudly when they saw Ellington’s distorted, angry face. This made him feel even more outraged. Natalie decided that that was enough. She’d fought back and achieved her goal. She said,
“Come on, Tony. These aren’t your kind of people anymore.”
She took his arm, and they left.
On the way to the office, she leaned close to Tony and whispered,
“Did you see what I did there?”
Tony nodded his head and said,
“Sure, you stood up to that arrogant bully.”
Natalie smiled,
“Exactly. I want you to try and be more like that in the future. If someone bullies you, you bully them straight back. Don’t be afraid of getting into trouble. If there are any problems, I’ll resolve them for you.”
“Thank you, Natalie,”
said Tony. He looked admiringly at her.
The conflict just now had put Natalie in a great mood. She enjoyed taking on malicious people and making them look small. Little victories were good. She spoke to Tony for a little while about the details of his training, then let him rest before continuing his work. It was already afternoon, and Natalie was very confident about Tony’s application to the task. She decided to get off work early and grab herself some private time. As she left the building, she was still thinking about the argument with Ellington.
Distracted, she bumped into a man at the entrance. Natalie apologized automatically,
“I’m sorry, please excuse me.”
Thinking it was just a trivial matter, she made to walk away. But then she heard the man she had bumped into say coldly,
“Don’t you watch where you’re going? Damn it.”
This made Natalie bristle. She had clearly apologized sincerely, but this guy seemed intent on making a fuss. Natalie said angrily,
“Look, Mister, I’ve already apologized to you. I didn’t mean to bump into you. What’s your beef?”
It was Howard clear, hearing Natalie’s sharp tone. He got ready to offer a retort, but just then he looked up and saw Natalie’s face. She was looking dignified and composed; there was even a hint of charm in her sharpness. Faced with such a self-composed and attractive person, he was disarmed. Howard suddenly changed his tone, adopting a softer voice.
“I apologize, that was rude of me. I was startled, and my tone was inappropriate. Forgive me,”
then he added,
“Do you work for Star Entertainment, by the way?”
A little disgusted by his sudden change of attitude, Howard asked self-importantly,
“I don’t know who you are, but do you know who I am?”
He held his chin up, proudly looking down at her. She frowned and replied in an indifferent tone,
“I don’t think I have any idea who you are. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”