Chapter 365 Brother, Don't Send Me Away
Natalie blinked her eyes, wondering how Lilian had come to such a conclusion.
"Ms. Watson, the information has been verified and everything appears in order. Additionally, I would advise this lady to promptly deal with the necessary documents at the embassy to avoid any repetition of today’s misunderstanding," a staff member said, returning the relevant documents to them.
Natalie offered her thanks for their assistance.
Lilian, recalling yet another issue, pointed at the staff member and complained to Natalie, "Not only did they detain me, but they also forbade me from using my phone! Look, out of sheer boredom, I ended up ruining my fresh manicure!"
Her pink manicure was now in ruins.
Natalie was amused, but she restrained her smile as she comforted, “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to have them redone.”
"Fine," Lilian responded, albeit with reluctance, and then cast a resentful glance towards the security staff.
Outside, Jamie awaited their exit.
They all decided to return to Rosewood Estate.
Upon settling in the car, Lilian said, “I didn’t bring any of my luggage. Everything is still on the island."
Lucas looked at her.
Feeling provoked by his look, Lilian demanded, "What do you want to say?"
"Oh, you can tell. You seem to have become smarter,” Lucas said, looking as though he was genuinely praising her.
"Natalie, look! He’s making fun of me again!" Lilian complained before she said to Lucas, “What right do you have to make fun of me? I can speak five languages fluently, and I’m a student at a renowned university!"
“Oh, I’m so scared!” Lucas said mockingly.
In response to Lilian’s claim of speaking five languages, he spoke to her in Italian.
Lilian retorted in Italian and then proceeded to insult him in German.
Lucas replied in German before switching to Japanese.
Jamie, unable to contain his amusement, turned to Natalie and remarked, "It certainly has not been easy for you…”
Natalie found herself feeling as though she had unwittingly become a kindergarten teacher.
Upon their return to Rosewood Estate, Natalie set about preparing a variety of daily necessities for Lilian and Lucas before she retreated to her own room. Since the incident, she had yet to have a proper rest.
The most draining aspect of the ordeal was not the physical toll it took on her but the psychological strain it inflicted. Throughout the entire affair, Lucas’s unwavering trust in her provided comfort, a silver lining amidst the turmoil.
However, the issues surrounding Susan and Hailey remained a persistent source of trouble. Hailey’s disappearance loomed like a ticking time bomb, its potential for havoc unknown and unpredictable. How had Hailey managed to evade capture on the island? Who had assisted her?
As for Susan, without her intervention, Hailey would have been in prison, and the subsequent events would not have happened.
Natalie could afford a measure of understanding toward Oliver’s decision to spare Hailey. However, she could not deny that it troubled her deeply, a lingering concern that promised future complications.
After showering, Natalie decided to send a text message to Oliver, informing him of Lilian’s safe arrival at Rosewood Estate even though she assumed Jamie had likely already briefed him.
Oliver did not respond to the message immediately, but after ten minutes, he called.
“Natalie,” his voice sounded, slightly altered by the phone’s speaker.
To Natalie, it felt as though ages had passed since their last encounter, despite it being less than two days.
She acknowledged him, at a loss for what more to say.
After a brief pause, Oliver shared, “Susan will be returning to Tycoon City soon. I was making the necessary arrangements just earlier.”
His words served as both a confirmation that he had done as promised and an explanation for his delayed response to Natalie’s message.
“Is her injury any better?” Natalie asked.
“I’ve already told you; her injury isn’t that serious.”
Truly, the wound was superficial.
To Natalie, the injury seemed serious. After all, Susan had put on a show.
"Mrs. Windsor, I’ll be returning tomorrow. Will you come to pick me up?" Oliver asked in a magnetic voice.
Natalie gazed out at the evening sky and asked, "What time tomorrow?"
"Around 8 in the morning."
"That’s too early. I’ll wait for you at home. Besides, Lucas and Lilian are here, and I’m a little worried about leaving them alone."
In fact, for Natalie, who maintained a disciplined daily routine, 8 in the morning was not particularly early. Her reluctance to pick him up stemmed from her complicated emotions. She missed him but also felt resistant.
Silence ensued on the other line.
After a few seconds, Oliver let out a soft sigh and yielded, "Very well, I’ll see you at home tomorrow."
The plane’s doors had been sealed shut, but the plane remained grounded.
Susan peered through the window at the man outside, his stature commanding even from a distance. His expression was a mix of gentleness, indulgence, and helplessness that had never been directed at her before.
Susan did not need to make any guesses; it was clear he was speaking to Natalie. She could even discern the name 'Natalie' as it formed on Oliver's lips.
It was so intimate.
She could almost hear the enticing way in which Oliver must have uttered Natalie's name.
That sweet enticement stabbed at her heart and soul like a poisoned blade, inflicting pain with every thought.
"Susan, we’re about to depart. May I help you with your seatbelt?" a member of the medical team asked, offering help with genuine concern.
Susan's gaze, filled with bitterness, unnerved the medical personnel. The personnel, taken aback, hesitated. ‘I thought the ladies of the Hastings family are known for their poise and dignity. Her expression is really terrifying!’
Suddenly, overcome by desperation, Susan shoved everyone aside and limped to the cabin door, pounding on it frantically. "Open the door! Let me out!"
The crew exchanged looks of helplessness before reluctantly reopening the door.
Oliver, having just ended his call, frowned upon seeing Susan's pitiful figure leaning against the doorframe.
“I don’t want to go back. Please don’t send me away! I don’t want to leave..." Tears streamed down Susan's face, her appearance one of fragility and despair.
However, she was not Natalie, and Oliver found himself incapable of feeling any sympathy for her.
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