Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free >>
Seeing the panic on Natalie’s face, Bryce shook his head and reassured her, “Don’t worry, you’re fine now. Nothing happened to you, nothing serious, nothing physical. You’re my wife; I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Natalie felt relieved. She asked falteringly, “Did you save me last night?” She suddenly recalled a hazy impression of someone else coming into the room while Howard was menacing her.
Bryce wanted to say that it had been him, but when the words reached his lips, he said, “It was Samuel. Samuel found you and saved you.”
Natalie let out a sigh of relief. Although her body was still weak, she could feel that she wasn’t badly hurt. Then, thinking about what happened last night, Natalie became furious. Clenching her fists, she remembered shouting “bastard” and wanted to shout it again. Now, she would remember what Howard had done forever, and she would remember Ellington standing next to him in the Grand Hall, smirking. She wouldn’t forget or forgive.
Bryce interrupted her thoughts, saying, “So, how do you feel now?” His tone was calm and measured, his usual distant voice.
Natalie couldn’t help but find Bryce’s cold expression funny. He was so awkward, even when he was trying to be caring. She said, “I think I’m okay. Yes, I think so. Thank you for taking care of me, really.”
Bryce responded with a faint “hmm,” then he said, “Remember not to drink so much next time you go out. You don’t have a good alcohol tolerance, and you might not be so lucky next time.”
Natalie’s face fell. She couldn’t help but feel resentment. She said huffily, “Of course, I know that, but it wasn’t my fault. I was drugged last night. My God, I won’t let Howard get away with this!”
On hearing Howard’s name, Bryce lowered his eyes to hide his burning anger. Natalie wanted to ask Bryce if he knew Howard. Even though Star Entertainment wasn’t a very big company, not like Bryce’s corporations, they both had the surname Claire. Wasn’t that too much of a coincidence?
But before she could ask, Bryce had already stood up. He looked at her blandly and said, “Have a good rest. Don’t go to work today. Liam and Mrs. Perkins will come over to see you later. I have things to do.”
“Oh, okay,” Natalie acknowledged. Before Bryce could leave, she added, “You’ve watched over me all night. Thank you again.”
Bryce paused slightly, then turned and left.
Natalie was not a fool. Seeing Bryce in such a haggard state, she guessed that he must have sat by her bed the whole night. It was impossible for her not to be moved. On the contrary, she felt warm gratitude spreading through her. Thinking about this, Natalie smiled. Although Bryce always played it cool, deep down he was a good man.
While she was still thinking about him, her phone, which was on the nightstand by the bed, rang. She picked it up and saw Tony Bovel’s number on the caller ID. She picked up, and Tony blurted out, “Natalie, where are you? Are you all right? Why weren’t you answering the phone? I’m about to die from anxiety!”
Last night, after Bryce and Samuel had left him in the hallway, Tony had looked for Natalie for a while but had heard nothing more about her. He’d been worried the whole night, and he would have called the police this morning if Natalie still hadn’t picked up the phone.
Natalie’s heart warmed to Tony as she told him, “Tony, I’m sorry. I was drunk last night, so I came home. I forgot to tell you. Don’t worry.” She was truly moved by the concern of the people around her.
Tony heaved a sigh of relief. Hearing Natalie’s unusually weak voice, he still couldn’t stop worrying and asked, “Natalie, are you okay? Your voice sounds weird.”
Natalie thought for a moment and decided not to tell Tony the truth about what had happened. She laughed and said, “It’s nothing, Tony, just a hangover.”
Tony finally believed her. Then he recalled something else about last night and said, “Oh, Natalie, there’s another thing. I heard that Howard Claire was arrested and taken to the police station last night. He seems to have been involved in something, but I don’t know what. Do you know what happened?”
Natalie was stunned for a moment, then she recovered and said, “No, I have no idea. How intriguing.” After saying goodbye to Tony, she hurriedly hung up the phone. She was astonished to find out that Howard had been arrested. Was that also Samuel’s work? Natalie thought that the next time she saw Samuel, she must thank him big time. If it hadn’t been for Samuel, Natalie didn’t dare to imagine what could have happened last night. Howard’s evil face was still lingering in her mind. She shuddered. It seemed like she had to watch out for those two villains, Howard Claire and Mark Ellington, in the future.
Not long after Tony’s call, Natalie fell asleep again. When she awoke, Liam and Mrs. Perkins were sitting by her bed.
“Mommy, you’re finally awake! Yay!” Liam cried.
Natalie opened her eyes and saw Liam’s tear-stained face. She struggled to sit up and take Liam in her arms, saying, “Oh, dear Liam, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Mommy’s here. Mommy’s fine.” She quickly comforted him. Her heart ached when she saw him cry.
Liam leaned against her and looked at her with tears still streaming down his face. “You finally woke up. I was really scared.”
Meanwhile, Mrs. Perkins’ anxious heart finally started to calm. She looked at Natalie benevolently and said, “Mrs. Clare, it’s so good to see you awake. What happened to you last night?”
Mrs. Perkins had known that something wrong had happened, but she was skeptical if Natalie would tell her the truth. Will she be able to find out the truth, or will Natalie shroud the reality with another lie?