Chapter 389 Thinking
Approximately a month prior, they had discovered that Arthur was residing in Italy. His current location, however, was shrouded in mystery. Charles was the one to voice this, an intuitive sense of foreboding settling over him as he considered Arthur's fate. "We'll ascertain his whereabouts soon enough," he assured.
"Seek him out," came the command. "Ensure he returns within a week to reclaim this worthless trinket."
"Understood."
A worthless trinket, indeed, valued at trillions of dollars!
Within the confines of Roger Manor, Roger reclined on a plush couch, his attention riveted to a notebook nestled in his grasp.
Freshly inked words adorned the pages.
"I have released Hailey," it read.
"When I say 'I have released her,' it implies that you, too, have let her go."
"Roger, we are one entity, yet I possess a superior understanding of how to fight for my desires."
Roger had previously embarked on a futile quest to locate Hailey, a mission that had only ceased when Hailey had attempted to take her own life.
The list of individuals capable of concealing Hailey was minuscule, and to Roger's surprise, the puppeteer pulling the strings was none other than his own reflection!
Roger could predict Nathan's thought process. Hailey's liberation was the handiwork of Oliver, thus any of Hailey's actions would be attributed to Susan, indirectly implicating Oliver.
The turbulence in Oliver and Natalie's relationship presented an opportunity, which not just for him, but for both of them.
Nathan, however, had not anticipated Hailey's burgeoning animosity towards Natalie, or her contemplation of using Susan as a weapon against her.
Even more shocking was the revelation that when Nathan had attempted to discipline the wayward pawn that was Hailey, Roger had detected his presence, wresting control of his body and leaving Nathan powerless to act against Hailey, save for fleeting moments each day.
Roger had never imagined a day when he would fear to face Natalie, fearful that his mere presence could inflict harm upon her.
His fingers traced the pendant that hung from his neck.
"Sir, this approach is futile," the psychiatrist declared, a sigh escaping his lips as he scrutinized the test report. "Without additional information about your alter ego, such as the reason for their existence or their actions, it will be exceedingly difficult for me to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan."
Upon discovering Nathan's alliance with Hailey, Roger had sought psychological intervention, to no avail.
Throughout this period, Nathan had remained dormant, as if in a deep slumber, leaving no trace of his existence.
"If we cannot induce sleep, then... we must resort to murder."
The psychiatrist's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Sir, if I understand correctly, your alter ego emerged during your adolescence. Are you certain... you wish to eliminate him?"
Issues during adolescence implied lacking of companionship.
Roger was resolute. "I am certain."
The psychiatrist nodded, his head bowed as he scribbled a few notes on the proposed plan, oblivious to Roger's momentary lapse into a distant reverie.
After a brief closure of his eyes, Roger reopened them, a subtle shift in his demeanor evident.
"Sir, I must take my leave now. Our next session is scheduled for two weeks from now. In the interim, I would advise against venturing out and providing your alter ego with any opportunities."
"Very well, farewell."
Roger had never been fond of the presence of servants. Once the doctor had departed, a profound silence enveloped the mansion.
He ventured into the bathroom, his reflection in the mirror smirking back at him. "You're reluctant to kill me, which means you still harbor hope for Natalie, correct? Roger, you are no match for me."
"Natalie, peruse this brand endorsement. If there are no objections, we can finalize it by the end of the month," Emily proposed, presenting the contract to Natalie.
Rather than immediately delving into the document, Natalie queried, "Emily, what is your perspective on this situation?"
Emily hesitated for a moment before responding, "Mrs. Watson is nothing more than a cunning woman who perceives other women as threats. I've crossed paths with many such women, their warped minds are something I can't comprehend. As for Susan, like I've mentioned before, she's sly. However, I don't judge you based on your lineage, Natalie. No one can choose their birthright, but they can choose their path in life. The person I wish to collaborate and associate with is you, not your family. I genuinely appreciate the person you've become."
Emily had faith in her ability to assess people, having been on the receiving end of Susan's ruthlessness firsthand.
"Thank you, Emily!" Natalie's eyes began to brim with tears.
Each time a situation like this arose, Emily was unwavering in her support. It was impossible not to be touched by such loyalty.
After a quick perusal of the contract, Natalie affixed her signature. Over a year of working with Emily had fostered a deep sense of trust.
"Oh, and these," Emily produced a few more contracts. "This one is for an exclusive interview, and these two are for magazine covers. The last one is an invitation to a variety show, which I suspect you'll decline."
"You knows me well!"
She had previously agreed to appear on "Fun Challenge" as a favor and to expedite her graduation. Natalie had little interest in the entertainment industry and wished to maintain a certain distance.
She scrutinized the remaining contracts, each one holding substantial value and highly coveted by industry models.
"So many?" Natalie was taken aback.
Her recent scandal had stirred up a media frenzy, and yet, she was still receiving a plethora of collaboration offers?
Emily shrugged, suggesting that she didn't deserve much credit for this, "Didn't Vivian and the others vouch for you earlier? Some of our partners saw that and believed in your potential. They seized the opportunity to extend olive branches. Furthermore..."
"Oliver?" Emily left her sentence hanging, but Natalie could infer the rest.
Emily took a sip of water and nodded, "Previously, we were on the verge of securing a luxury brand endorsement, but suddenly they backed out. Then, this luxury brand endorsement came our way. I did some digging, and it turns out they have ongoing collaborations with RK Group's European headquarters. This luxury brand endorsement serves as a reassurance to many of our partners."
Natalie felt a sensation akin to a feather lightly brushing against her chest, a warm, tingling feeling, as if she was immersed in a hot spring, lost in the gentlest, warmest sensation.
"Natalie, you're not upset, are you?" Emily, noticing Natalie's silence, inquired.
"You are Oliver's wife, it's only natural for you to leverage his resources. That's how this industry operates, and besides, you have your own merits."
"Natalie, I'm not upset," Natalie responded with a soft chuckle, "I'm just... a little taken aback."
Her smile was somewhat bashful, but primarily gentle.
Gentle towards the man who was quietly supporting her from the shadows.
Without Emily's extensive network and her own connections, they probably wouldn't have discovered this long-term collaboration between the luxury brand and RK Group.
He was merely assisting her silently, with no intention of taking credit.
"That's a relief," Emily exhaled, visibly relieved.
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