Chapter 277 Natalie, Heartless
Natalie pulled her hand away from Mrs. Watson forcefully. She stepped back and looked at the latter indifferently as she said, "Aunt, Hailey has committed a crime; she took someone's life. It’s not within my power to decide her fate. If there are pleas to be made, they should be directed to the court, not to me. I don’t have the power to circumvent the law."
The investigation into Victoria's death had recently concluded. Another individual had received a death sentence, while Hailey had been sentenced to six years in prison.
Six years behind bars! The very thought of Hailey enduring such conditions was unbearable for Mrs. Watson.
"No! My daughter is innocent!" Mrs. Watson exclaimed, her eyes red, "Hailey was wrongfully accused; she didn’t commit any crime! Natalie, I beg you. You still haven’t repaid the family for taking you in all those years ago! How can you be so heartless? Go and beg Oliver for help! He must have a way!”
“Aunt, you should know very well how much I’ve done for the Watson family all these years, as well as what the Watson family has done for me. I don’t owe anyone anything. Furthermore, the Watson family has formally disowned me. Regarding Hailey's situation, I see no reason to ask my husband to risk breaking the law to help someone who tried to stab me. Why don’t you ask for help from your husband?” Natalie replied calmly.
Employees at HHY were shocked by the exchange.
Mrs. Watson laughed maniacally. "That scumbag, Robert! Now that Hailey is of no use to him, why would he help Hailey and me? Moreover, he’s now in trouble as well!”
Her laughter soon turned back into sobs, resonating through the office floor. Curious employees from other departments within HHY also gathered to witness the scene.
"My poor daughter. She always treated Natalie as a sister. Yet, now, for a single impulsive mistake, Natalie refuses to help her! Why am I so unlucky? I raised a mistress’ child for so many years, and now, she sent my daughter to prison! Natalie, you’re really heartless!”
Mrs. Watson's cries intensified, attracting an even larger audience. She eventually collapsed to the floor, sobbing and appearing utterly desolate, reminiscent of a troublemaker on the streets.
HHY employees were astonished by what they heard.
Regardless of Natalie's earlier attempt at clarification, misconceptions persisted.
Mrs. Watson understood the societal tendency to sympathize with the perceived underdog, anticipating that public opinion might favor her portrayal as the ‘underdog’.
As expected, some onlookers who had initially criticized Hailey and Mrs. Watson were now moved by Mrs. Watson's display of despair, starting to view Natalie as heartless and ungrateful.
Natalie regarded Mrs. Watson with a neutral expression, making no effort to justify herself further. She exchanged a knowing look with Emily, silently communicating their next steps.
Emily summoned the security guards. Upon their arrival, she chastised them.
"You’re employed as security personnel. It’s your duty to protect us, not to idly stand by. If you’re unwilling to fulfill your responsibilities, tell me this instant, and I’ll ensure your dismissal. HHY pays its employees generously, far above the market rate. There are many who would eagerly accept your positions!"
"We’re sorry!"
The head of security quickly directed his team to escort Mrs. Watson out, then turned to Emily with a plea for understanding.
"Emily, we didn’t intentionally let her in!"
Emily sneered. "Who bribed you? You better return the money, or else…”
“Yes! This won’t happen again. I promise you!”
The head of security was visibly nervous. Had he known the trouble it would cause for Emily and her associates, he would have never accepted the money, regardless of the offered sum.
“Let me go! Let me go!" Mrs. Watson protested as she was escorted out by the security guards.
In their final exchange, Natalie's gaze was cool and detached, while Mrs. Watson’s gaze was fierce.
Mrs. Watson harbored deep resentment toward Natalie. If only she had foreseen the consequences, she would have prevented Natalie from entering the Watson family. There would be no rivalry with her daughter to be Oliver’s wife, which led to her daughter’s current predicament.
At that moment, Mrs. Watson conveniently forgot that it was her own suggestion to bring Natalie back to the Watson family and to let Natalie take Hailey's place and marry Oliver.
"The entrance to HHY is restricted to employees with a staff card or those who have been specially invited. The breach allowing that woman access must be investigated thoroughly. I’ll ensure that management conducts a full investigation," Emily declared, her gaze sweeping sternly over everyone.
The employees from various departments were well aware that it was unwise to mess with Emily. After consoling Natalie perfunctorily, they exited the scene in an uneasy manner.
Lily, blending in with the group, made her exit promptly and headed back to her office. There, she consumed an entire glass of water in an attempt to soothe her nerves. She had been frightened by Emily’s imposing manner earlier. She also could not believe that Emily and Natalie managed to deal with the matter so easily. Clearly, Natalie was not affected by Mrs. Watson at all.
"Lily, did you orchestrate this?" Storme asked, clearly upset.
"Storme, I..." Lily hesitated, nervously licking her lips.
Storme was overcome with the urge to hit Lily at this moment.
"Lily, have you lost your mind? Why would you provoke someone like Emily? I understand you have a grudge against Natalie and dislike her. However, there are other ways for you to deal with her. Why would you pick the most reckless way? Now Emily has gone to check the surveillance footage!”
Initially, Lily felt a twinge of guilt, but Storme's words only fueled her defiance. She retorted, her voice firm, "So what if I let that madwoman in? I can argue it was out of sympathy for her. Who can prove it was done with malice? Emily has Joseph, an international supermodel, on her side. But you’re also an elite agent! Why are you so afraid of her?"
Storme was on the brink of losing his composure. "Do you know that even the company's executives are respectful to Emily? Some of the board members even treat her like their niece…”
"What?"
This revelation sent Lily into a state of panic. Being a newcomer at HHY, she was oblivious to Emily's powerful connections. She mistakenly assumed Emily's confidence stemmed solely from Joseph. After Joseph's departure from HHY to establish his own studio, Lily was under the impression that Emily had lost the influence she once had.
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