Chapter 338 Don't You Trust Me?
"What is it?" Natalie asked.
"Natalie, Hailey has been released from prison," Sophia said, relaying the news from Roger to Natalie.
Natalie was taken aback. "How’s that possible?"
This should not have happened. After all, Hailey was Edwin’s scapegoat, and it would have been in Edwin's interest to have her out of the picture.
"Natalie, Susan asked for it, and your husband arranged it,” Sophia explained, relaying what she had heard from Roger when she was still in Paris. At that time, Roger had told her to be wary of Susan and Hailey.
"He..." Lilian stood motionless, her expression one of utter disbelief.
Natalie froze, her blood seemed to run cold at this moment.
Sophia did not know if her actions could be construed as sowing discord, but she continued anyway. It was everyone's right to be informed of the truth. She did not lie or exaggerate the truth; she simply stated the facts. Moreover, everyone had their own loyalties, and hers was with Roger from the beginning to the end.
“Let’s not talk about him anymore,” Natalie said, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
As Natalie contemplated calling Roger to inquire further, a tall figure emerged hastily from the stairwell.
The man was breathing heavily, sporting a noticeable bruise at the corner of his mouth. His attire and hair were in disarray, and he appeared anxious. In just a moment, his eyes found Natalie. His eyes widened slightly, and he felt a pang in his heart.
Natalie stood still and looked at him quietly.
"Natalie!"
Oliver rushed over with long strides. He hugged tightly as though he wanted to integrate her into his very being.
Lilian gasped in surprise when he saw Oliver's injury. When she saw Roger trailing behind with an icy expression, she quickly deduced what had happened: Roger must have beaten up Oliver!
Lilian felt sorry for Oliver, but that only lasted until she saw Natalie’s ashen face. She sneered as she thought to herself, ‘He asked for it. He deserves to be beaten up!’
After all, Oliver did not depend on his appearance for his livelihood. On the contrary, the same could not be said for Natalie.
"Oliver, you’re hurting me,” Natalie said in a voice completely devoid of emotions.
After a brief pause, Oliver suddenly became aware of his actions and relaxed his grip. He tenderly held Natalie's face, and when he saw the mark on her face, he frowned.
Natalie could distinctly sense Oliver freezing for a moment, and she could also feel the trembling of his fingers. She pulled away slightly, dodging his hand before she asked, “I thought you were going to pick me up? Did you know how I got injured?”
Oliver’s usually steady and calm gaze faltered.
At this time, Susan, looking sickly and pale, interjected anxiously with tears brimming in her eyes, “I’m sorry, Natalie. Don’t be angry with Oliver. It was my fault that he couldn’t pick you up!”
Natalie frowned, feeling a sense of discomfort rising at the sight of Susan. She looked away, deliberately ignoring Susan.
"Natalie, I..."
Susan's voice was heavy with self-blame and sorrow.
Oliver caught the subtle but unmistakable mockery in Natalie’s gaze, and he quickly led her into an empty room.
Natalie asked directly, “Did you attend her show?”
"Yes," Oliver replied honestly.
Natalie stared at the ceiling, reflecting on Susan's recent appearance with Oliver. She felt like she had been slapped across the face. She had hoped to fool herself into believing there was a misunderstanding, that Oliver did not attend Susan’s show…
Natalie turned her attention back to Oliver and said, “I thought I was going to see you, but instead, I was greeted by the reporters.”
She paused for a moment before she continued, “They asked me if I was getting a divorce.”
"Natalie!"
The mere mention of ‘divorce’ caused Oliver's eyes to widen and his emotions to surge. He instinctively tightened his hold on her wrist.
"Who said that?" Oliver asked, taking a deep breath to quell his rage. Based on his tone, it was clear he was going to make the other pay.
Natalie smiled lightly. “I don’t know. But I’m sure everyone thinks the same way. Otherwise, the reporter wouldn’t ask me that question.”
As she spoke, Natalie retrieved her phone, and as anticipated, her name was once again prominent in the news.
"Look at what everyone is saying... Everyone is focused on your attendance at Susan's show, your failure to pick me up, and Roger coming to my rescue. Everyone says our marriage is about to fall apart. Perhaps, we’re really not suited to be together.”
The final words from Natalie pierced Oliver's heart like a sharp blade, agitating him deeply and making it difficult for him to breathe.
For the first time, Oliver realized that Natalie possessed the ability to say such hurtful words.
Suddenly, he grabbed Natalie's phone and cast it aside.
Natalie looked at her broken phone, and she lost her temper.
“Oliver!”
‘What’s wrong with him? Must he throw things around when he’s angry?’
“I didn’t pick you up earlier because Susan was injured during her show. She has no family in Paykston, so I had to rush over there. I’ll handle those baseless rumors.”
Oliver rarely, if ever, explained himself. However, Natalie was an exception. He cared about her after all.
Natalie shook her head, clearly she did not believe him. “You promised to handle the situation with Hailey as well, but I heard that you had something to do with her release.”
Oliver frowned slightly. “How do you know that?”
"Does it matter?" Natalie retorted with a sneer, "I also know that you did that because of Susan."
"Natalie, I treat Susan differently because of Arthur. I’ve already explained it to you. If you don’t want Hailey out, I’ll make sure she returns to prison.”
“It doesn’t matter. This isn’t just about Hailey,” Natalie said.
Oliver hugged Natalie tightly and asked in a low voice, “Don’t you trust me?”
Natalie let him hold her, but she did not respond. After a lengthy pause, she finally said, "Oliver, I don’t know."
"Hmm?"
"I trust you, but I also know that hearts can change,” Natalie said tremblingly as she closed her eyes.
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