Chapter 395 Natalie, Will You Marry Me?
All the servants, including Liam, appeared to be in hiding. Since their arrival, they had not encountered a single person.
"Honey..." Natalie began, but Oliver, who had just set the cake on the nearby table, suddenly knelt down in front of her.
"You..."
Natalie was taken aback and instinctively tried to retreat, but her feet appeared to be glued to the ground. She blinked, gazing blankly at Oliver. Her throat felt parched, and she found herself at a loss for words.
The world around them seemed to stand still, with only the soft rustling of leaves in the background breaking the silence.
Oliver extended his right hand, palm up. "Natalie, will you marry me?"
"I thought we're already married…" Natalie murmured, almost without thinking.
"I didn't propose properly so…" Oliver replied, looking up at Natalie as though she were his most prized treasure.
Natalie felt herself tearing up. She opened her mouth but found herself speechless. After a moment, she pointed to his empty palm and whispered, "There's no ring."
"You're already wearing the wedding ring; what need is there for an engagement ring?" Oliver closed his hand slightly and asked again with patience, "So, will you say yes?"
Natalie slowly raised her hand and tenderly placed it in his. "Saying no wouldn't change our current situation. We're already married."
Oliver grasped Natalie's hand firmly, intertwining their fingers, and drew her close into his embrace. He cradled the back of her neck, forcing her to meet his gaze, then bent down to kiss her.
Finally, Natalie arrived at the moment she had eagerly awaited: cutting the cake.
Oliver sat next to her casually, yet he kept a watchful eye on Natalie and the cake.
Upon opening the box, Oliver said, "It might not look perfect and could be… difficult to eat... If it doesn’t taste good..."
His voice trailed off, filled with subtle anxiety, reflecting on the nearly entire day spent creating this dessert, which brought him slight discomfort.
"It doesn't look terrible. I think it's beautiful," Natalie interjected with a smile.
The cake resembled a small castle, perfectly suited for a young princess. It boasted a soft pink hue, adorned with charming castle turrets.
At the edge, crooked letters spelled out: Happy Birthday, Baby!
The cake did not resemble the kind of birthday cake someone older than middle-schoolers would have.
It was clear it was not easy to make the cake, evident in the seams between the castle pieces. It was unmistakably the effort of a novice. Although it was not conventionally beautiful, Natalie found its charm growing on her the more she looked at it.
Imagining Oliver crafting such a cake, especially one exuding such youthful enchantment, was difficult.
Oliver, seeing no sign of displeasure from Natalie, felt a sense of relief. This was the first time he had been so eager for someone to review and praise his work, reminiscent of a student awaiting feedback from a teacher.
"Why did you choose this design? It seems quite complicated," Natalie asked.
Typically, pastry chefs would recommend beginners attempt a smooth mousse cake adorned with fruits, due to its simplicity and lower risk of error.
Oliver, standing behind Natalie and holding her close, replied with ease, "For my princess, I had to create a castle."
…
That night, fireworks unexpectedly lit up the sky over Paykston, sparking curiosity and conversation among the residents.
Those in the loop knew the fireworks were set off above the Rosewood Estate.
It was rumored these fireworks were crafted from costly, eco-friendly materials, and approval for their use was secured through a significant donation to environmental initiatives.
The identity of the benefactor was an open secret.
The intended recipient of this grand gesture was hardly a mystery. Given that the gentleman in question was not known for his personal enjoyment of fireworks, it was presumed to be an act of romance.
…
Natalie was preparing to attend Susan's birthday celebration, with Oliver accompanying her.
Charles would handle the day-to-day operations of the RK group, while Jamie would follow Oliver as usual.
During this transition, Charles displayed a mix of envy and resignation for Jamie.
Standing by Oliver's side was not without its challenges. Despite the attractive pay and the volume of work, especially after Oliver's marriage, there were times when business took a backseat to his marriage.
…
The flight was set for the morning.
"Jane!" Natalie exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Jane in the lounge. "Where are you headed?"
Jane, clad in a black dress that accentuated her beauty and charm, was waiting in the VIP lounge, a perk of her first-class ticket.
"I'm joining you. Surprised?" Jane replied, an eyebrow raised. "Susan's hosting an art exhibition at her party and requested my service, so I've been invited as well."
In high society, it was common for hosts to organize a charity event or an elegant art exhibition during their birthday celebrations to enhance their social standing.
Oliver's expression turned sour at this development. What was supposed to be a romantic getaway with Natalie now included an unexpected third wheel, particularly one that would completely occupy his wife’s time.
Suddenly, a tall figure approached.
"Mr. Windsor, Mrs. Windsor."
Natalie recognized him immediately, and she noticed a shift in Jane's expression the moment Clint made his appearance.
Without missing a beat, Natalie offered a polite greeting. "Clint, it's been a minute."
Oliver scanned the area, noticing Anthony's absence.
"Jane, what's with him..." Natalie whispered to Jane, gesturing subtly toward Clint.
"He's been following me; I can't shake him off," Jane responded coldly. "Just ignore him."
While the specifics of Jane's current situation with Anthony remained unclear to Natalie, Jane's attitude suggested it was far from positive.
Natalie recalled that Jane and Anthony's relationship had been on the mend recently, yet now it appeared to have deteriorated once again.
…
The venue for Susan's birthday celebration was the Hastings family's Mansion.
The Hastings, a leading family in Tycoon City with a history of scholarly achievements, had seen their prestige further elevated through Samuel's business ventures.
The celebration was set to begin later; there would be a dinner party at night as well. But Natalie and Oliver arrived earlier, bringing gifts, a gesture of appreciation for Susan's lifesaving actions.
Observance of proper social norms was crucial, regardless of the circumstances.
Upon their arrival, a butler escorted them inside, while another attendant was responsible for receiving Jamie and cataloging the gifts.
Inside the hall, guests of various ages engaged in conversation.
Susan, seated next to an elegantly dressed woman, was the center of attention, her comments eliciting laughter and admiration for her thoughtfulness and grace.
Samuel, however, was conspicuously absent.
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