Chapter 382 Natalie's True Identity
Casey's expression shifted as she said, “Sir, I have had suspicions about Susan in the past and conducted investigations, but I found nothing incriminating. She genuinely is from the Hastings family and is held in high regard within the family. She also closely resembles her mother. Sophia has mentioned that Susan harbored some animosity toward Natalie previously, but she managed to hide it effectively, leaving no evidence behind."
"However, there’s something else," Casey added, "Susan might have targeted one of Arthur's girlfriends in the past. The matter is still under investigation, and we’ve yet to uncover any concrete evidence."
Roger pondered for a brief moment and then instructed, "Continue the investigation."
If they discovered evidence linked to a crime, it would be exceedingly advantageous.
…
The public relations department of RK Group demonstrated remarkable efficiency, swiftly implementing Natalie's strategy to sway public opinion positively. The majority of people were then reminded that Hailey deserved to be incarcerated and had been implicated in a murder case with the intention to harm Natalie.
During that period, Hailey, consumed by a fervent desire to kill Natalie, was featured in videos where she threatened Natalie. These videos were re-circulated, reminding the public of her unsettling and deranged behavior. Following her release from prison on medical grounds, Hailey faced charges for an unlawful escape and endured widespread public criticism.
The authenticity of the recording remained unverified.
It was speculative whether this was Hailey's final attempt to incriminate someone else. One should not attempt to decipher the rationale of someone in such a disturbed state of mind.
…
That evening, Robert issued a public statement, stating, "I’m deeply saddened by my daughter's passing, but it doesn’t alter the fact that Hailey's demise is unrelated to Natalie."
The online community was astounded. Even her own father stepped forward to dispel the rumors!
It appeared that Hailey's malevolent intentions lingered even after her death, painting a picture of a deeply troubled individual.
…
Mrs. Watson, who had eagerly anticipated her daughter's return, was instead confronted with her daughter’s lifeless body. She collapsed in shock at the police station upon going to claim it.
What infuriated her further was Robert's statement that her daughter's death had nothing to do with Natalie.
"How could this be unrelated to Natalie?! Robert, Hailey was your daughter. How could you defend Natalie like this? It was that woman who took Hailey's life!" Mrs. Watson exclaimed, clutching Robert's sleeve, pleading with him to recant his statement.
Robert, losing patience, extricated himself from her grasp and responded, "Can a mere recording prove that it was Natalie? How can that be treated as evidence? Don’t you understand basic legal knowledge? There were no signs of foul play at the crime scene! Hailey ended her own life! What do you want? Your daughter was a fugitive, guilty of a grave offense! Do you think my heart is not in pain? However, implicating Natalie in this matter is to our detriment. We must consider how Oliver might respond."
Mrs. Watson's tears flowed once more as she stared at Robert with increasing disdain. She had long seen through his facade. His recent fatherhood with a mistress made it clear that Hailey, his own daughter, was no longer a priority in his life. His only concern was his self-interest! He was now solely focused on currying favor with Natalie and Oliver, a move she saw as utterly cold-hearted and selfish.
After Robert stormed out, slamming the door behind him, Mrs. Watson was left alone in the vast emptiness of the mansion, drowning in her grief, aging dramatically in just one night. That was until a mysterious phone call pierced the silence.
"Do you wish for Natalie to be ruined?"
The voice on the other end was distorted by a voice changer.
"Who is this?" she asked, but her desperation made her hastily add, "Yes! I want that! I want her to die! I want her to join my daughter!”
"Natalie’s not even Robert's daughter. She’s nothing but a b*st*rd child," the caller revealed coldly, “Think about it, and you’ll know how to deal with Natalie!”
The revelation that Natalie might not be Robert's daughter left Mrs. Watson momentarily stunned, then a wave of vindictive joy overtook her.
She laughed maniacally, and her laughter, tinged with madness, reverberated through the mansion's halls, sending a chill through the air.
…
On the other end of the line, after Susan ended the call, her heart pounded with the gravity of what she had just done.
This was the first time she had divulged Natalie's true parentage to anyone else.
The more people knew about this, the more dangerous it would be.
Originally, Susan had planned to keep Natalie's origin hidden, seeing it as a merciful act toward Natalie. Being an illegitimate daughter of the Watson family was, in her view, better than being a child with no known parents.
If anyone was to blame, it would be Natalie.
Susan's initial plan had been to let the aftermath of Hailey's demise simmer without further interference, but she did not anticipate the rapid escalation of events.
Susan recalled a conversation with Hailey before her tragic end. Hailey had informed her that she had another gift for her.
At that time, Susan had asked, puzzled, “What more do you plan to do to Natalie? You’ve already deceived her once. She won’t be fooled again.”
Susan knew that Natalie was smart.
With a hint of mischief, Hailey had responded, "Deceive her? Who said anything about deceiving her?”
Hailey had taken the initiative to contact the media, while Susan had entrusted the manipulation of online sentiment to someone else. Taking care not to implicate herself directly, Susan had leaned on her overseas connections, making it virtually impossible to trace any wrongdoing back to her.
However, she did not foresee that Hailey's death would turn out to be so inconsequential. Her hopes now rested on Mrs. Watson taking decisive action.
She had laid numerous traps in the past, which could now be activated.
…
The following morning, Natalie awoke early and, as was her routine, checked her phone. She was greeted by a flurry of messages from her industry contacts, urging her to check the news.
It was then that Natalie discovered a scandal that had erupted unexpectedly overnight.
The epicenter was Mrs. Watson, who had caused a stir in a public area. Her outburst was captured and widely spread by onlookers.
This sensation was too significant to be drowned out.
In a dramatic display in Paykston’s bustling shopping district, Mrs. Watson publicly aired her grievances, detailing Hailey’s pitiful life and demise.
Yet, the most shocking revelation was her claim.
"Natalie is not a child of the Watson family at all! We’ve all been deceived! We don’t know who her parents are, but we’ve supported her all these years!” Mrs. Watson cried dramatically, “She was clothed, housed, and educated at our expense, but she repaid us in this manner! She’s responsible for the death of my beloved daughter!”
Mrs. Watson repeatedly declared, "Natalie doesn’t belong to the Watson family. She’s merely a child of unknown origin! She’s a parasite, an impostor!”
In her tirade, Mrs. Watson presented a paternity test, conclusively proving no biological link between Natalie and Hailey.
Matters of lineage always ignited scandal, especially within noble circles.
The fallout was immediate and widespread.
Mrs. Watson’s approach was distinctly more calculated. Rather than direct confrontation, she framed herself as a bereaved mother, casting Natalie as an outsider as she asked the ‘objective and fair’ public’ for help.
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