Chapter 397 Are You Angry?
“You’re a pig, Cedric! And not even one that’s cute like Ginger!”
Cedric may be a pig to Natalie, but he wasn’t even a cute one!
If Cedric were a pig raised in an ordinary household, he would undoubtedly be the most infuriating pig.
When Natalie mentioned Ginger, Cedric’s eyes instantly clouded over. It felt as if he had been transported back to Verde City.
Ginger!
He had gifted Natalie that tiny pig on one of her birthdays. Over the years, it remained the same size. It was perhaps the most joy Natalie had ever expressed over a gift.
And she… had never demanded much from him!
Somehow, Cedric found himself in the backyard after the conversation with Natalie. He saw Stephen seeing off the last of the guests.
Stephen’s expression darkened upon seeing Cedric.
Both exuded an unsettling aura, the evening’s events weighing heavily on Cedric’s mind.
“I understand your feelings for her, but you’re too extreme,” Stephen said in a deep and calm
tone.
While everyone else saw Cedric’s harshness towards Natalie, Stephen understood. Cedric felt helpless against Natalie’s cold demeanor. To him, it was as if a vast chasm separated them.
Meanwhile, Irwin and Natalie sat together.
Under the dim orange lights, the distant chirping of insects filled the air.
“I thought you’d never return to Simeria,” Natalie said, her voice tinged with restraint.
Given all that happened in Wexford over the years, Irwin’s recent manipulation left her feeling
uneasy
Obviously…!!
No matter the emotions involved, such manipulation was unforgivable.
Irwin glanced at her. Her tone was still gentle yet serious. Though soft–spoken, she appeared.
Stern
He asked, “Are you angry?
“Not exactly,” she replied.
She only wished she could completely sever ties with him!
The more things happened, the more Natalie distanced herself emotionally.
Despite their once close relationship, which had led many at Regal Horizons to believe they’d end up together, no one knew how deep Natalie’s internal struggles were.
Previously, ignorance of Irwin’s manipulations had held her back.
But now, with knowledge, she was ready to sever ties.
Irwin smirked lightly. “Looks like you’re angry.”
Natalie froze.
Of course, she was furious!
Who wouldn’t be after such manipulation?!
And in Meridiania, he had…!
“You don’t need to put on this act,” she retorted.
Once, Irwin had seemed indifferent to women.
But after what happened in Meridiania…
Hah!
Natalie knew better than to trust easily.
“Nat…”
“Irwin, I have just one question for you.”
“What?”
“Did you have anything to do with Isabella’s daughter?”
Years of plotting had led to this moment. Isabella’s daughter stood before them, a child who
had been calling herself ‘Kayla Walker‘ for as long as she could remember.
And in the child’s mind, there was an unshakable belief that Natalie was her mother.
As Natalie posed her question, her eyes bore into Irwin’s, capturing every fleeting emotion
that danced across his gaze.
Yet, to her surprise.
+25 BONUS
Irwin’s eyes remained unchanged–serious, warm, and impenetrable.
She couldn’t read him at all.
Irwin remained silent.
“Did you?” Natalie asked again in a firm voice as she gritted her teeth.
Finally, a smile crept onto his face. “In your mind, haven’t you already decided that it’s somehow related to me?”
“You were also the person behind Isabella, weren’t you?” Natalie continued.
Irwin remained silent.
As Irwin had expected, Natalie had connected the dots.
Natalie had discovered Irwin’s manipulation and his interference between her and Cedric. Then, there was also Isabella’s child. No matter which it was, Natalie had already decided that Irwin was involved in all of it!
He continued to gaze at her with that inscrutable expression.
Frustration bubbled within Natalie, and she finally couldn’t endure it anymore. She slammed her hand on the table and said, “Irwin, from now on, we’re not even friends. Leave.”
She turned to walk away but stopped dead in her tracks when she heard Irwin’s mocking laughter.
“I didn’t expect that.”
Without turning around, she stood still, waiting for him to continue.
“I never expected you to be Stephen’s biological daughter.”
“Irwin, not everyone is a fool!”
Even when Irwin had shown her nothing but kindness, Natalie had never let her guard down.
Why?
Because… she had lost trust in relationships.
“You’re guarded against everyone, yet you show a peculiar leniency toward him,” Irwin said.
Natalie frowned. Was he referring to Cedric?
Her eyes flashed dangerously at his words.
Leniency?
No, she had completely let go of him!
+25 BONUS
She could show leniency to anyone but not Cedric
“You already achieved your goal with Cedric. Don’t come looking for me again,” Natalie declared coldly and left.
Irwin remained seated. He was silent, and it took a long while before he returned to his senses.
When Stephen approached and found Irwin still seated, his expression darkened. He took a seat opposite Irwin and sighed deeply.
Before the Wexford incident, Stephen had only known Irwin had connections to Maple Peak. He was unaware that Irwin had connections to Wexford.
He hadn’t anticipated such deep ties between Irwin and Cedric.
“Believe it or not, the ultimate goal… was her,” Irwin said cryptically, lighting a cigarette.
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Stephen replied firmly.
To Natalie, nothing mattered anymore.
After discovering that Isabella ended up at Cedric’s side due to Irwin’s scheming, Natalie no longer cared about Irwin’s true goal.
As Stephen said, all of it wasn’t important to her anymore.
“Congratulations,” Irwin remarked, referencing Stephen’s success in reconnecting with his two children.
Irwin had now realized how secretive the Jarvis family could be. Walls did have ears, and it was surprising that no one had unearthed the secrets of the Jarvis family all these years.
Stephen had kept it well under wraps.
“Irv, Nat is different to me now,” Stephen began gravely.
It was a clear warning to Irwin!
“We might set aside the harm she endured because of you for now, but if you…”
Stephen’s voice trailed off, but the weight of his words hung heavily in the air.
Irwin responded casually, “Given Cedric’s nature, if not Isabella, it would have been someone else.”
