Chapter 401 Susan's Pale Face
"Why... Why are you speaking to me like this?" Susan heard Natalie's sarcasm for the first time, it was so offensive that she was about to start cursing.
Natalie didn't care whether her behavior was improper. "I have accepted the fact of being an illegitimate child as one cannot choose their origins. But Susan..."
Natalie paused, "I'm not too sure about your close relationship with Oliver, but I heard that you used to be interested in Arthur. I just don't understand how everyone ended up being fond of Oliver and me. Could you explain that to me, today?"
Susan's face turned pale in an instant. She never expected Natalie to know about this!
'How could she know? This matter was only known by the Hastings family and a few close individuals,' Susan thought.
The surrounding onlookers were astonished and immediately started gossiping amongst themselves.
"Who is Arthur?"
"He is Oliver's younger brother, and they used to hang out in Paykston. He's quite low-key. So, it's normal if you guys don't know."
"What, Susan used to like Arthur? Wow, this plot twist is thickening, and it is a bit exciting!"
"Is that true? Wasn't it always rumored that Susan had a childhood sweetheart who reciprocated her feelings? Does that mean it's not Oliver but Arthur?"
"Quick, go ask your well-informed friend for more information!"
Joanna knew exactly who her best friend liked. When they were younger, Susan had a deep and passionate crush on Arthur.
"People change, and the past is the past," Joanna said, casting aside her embarrassment and wiping away her tears to support and defend her friend.
Natalie asked Joanna, "So... are you admitting that Susan once liked Arthur, and yet she now likes my husband?"
Everyone realized the logical connection Natalie made which almost prompted them to give her a round of applause.
Susan, feeling frustrated, grabbed Joana's hand. Joanna realized too late that she had fallen into Natalie's trap.
"What are you arguing about?" Samuel walked over with a group of young masters behind him.
Of course, the group following Samuel was different from the previous one. The previous group simply indulged in food, drink, and pleasure. The ones who played together with Samuel were mostly heirs of various esteemed families and companies or talented young individuals who had achieved success on their own.
It was Natalie's first time seeing the real Samuel up close.
His lips were thin, and the corners of his mouth slightly curled up in a subtle smirk, barely noticeable. His facial features were broad, and he had a remarkable temperament, standing out among the good-looking second-generation wealthy kids.
At first glance, he and Emily looked like they could've been made into a nice couple.
Susan stood there, looking helpless and at a loss, gazing at her brother with a mix of trust and grievance, as if she had experienced a great injustice but couldn't express it.
Samuel walked over and asked, "What happened?"
"I...," Susan lowered her gaze. "It's nothing, just some unpleasantness between my friend, Miss Watson and Jane."
Samuel looked in Natalie's direction and his gaze slightly froze upon seeing her.
"That person resembles you quite a bit," Jane whispered to Natalie, audible only to the two of them. With an unyielding demeanor, Natalie didn't say anything, meeting Samuel's gaze head-on.
Just when she thought Samuel would stand up for Susan, he simply comforted her with a few words and told her to go somewhere else with her friends to have fun.
Samuel briefly exchanged a few words with the other wealthy kids around him and led them away.
Natalie felt his gaze on her as he turned around.
"He's quite arrogant," Jane commented about Samuel.
Natalie asked, "Do you know him?"
Jane, who had earned her status as the top socialite for many years, responded, "He is the most promising young talent in Tycoon City, possessing both ability and good looks. He is jokingly referred to as ‘the glory of the Hastings family’."
Recalling their previous conversation, Jane added, "You and Samuel have a striking resemblance to one another. If it weren't for Susan and Helen being carbon copies of each other, I would suspect that you were a daughter of the Hastings family."
Natalie quickly waved her hand and said, "Forget it. I don't want anything to do with them."
Susan suffered a setback and didn't actively pursue any trouble with Natalie again.
Meanwhile, the affair between Susan and Arthur was spreading like wildfire, with many people secretly discussing the matter.
An unknown person revealed concrete evidence. It was a photo of Susan and Arthur together during their youth. The girl, in her school uniform, stole a glance at the boy, her eyes filled with sparkles, hope, and shyness. Anyone who had experienced adolescence could relate and understand.
The photo began circulating in various small and large social circles, becoming a popular topic of conversation and mockery. People wanted to know who Susan truly liked, and what was the real nature of her relationship with Oliver and Arthur.
During the latter half of the birthday banquet, Susan's expression wasn't quite pleasant. However, she had excellent emotional control and maintained an impeccable facade. It appears as though nothing had happened, and the gossip that had spread in the exhibition hall was nothing but laughable rumors.
The evening banquet was arranged as a grand ball.
Oliver found Natalie, and Jane gestured, beckoning them to come closer. Oliver noticed Natalie glancing at him, her gaze slightly guilty.
Natalie looked at Susan, who was dancing the opening dance with Samuel on the dance floor, and raised her chin as she spoke, "Did you hear about what happened this afternoon?"
Oliver glanced to the side, "Hmm?"
"It's nothing," Natalie glanced nervously at the tip of her foot. It felt satisfying to argue and show off in a heated dispute, but such behavior didn't befit her status in a public setting.
Oliver raised an eyebrow.
Natalie realized that if Oliver didn't know about such a big incident, something was suspicious. She whispered to him softly, "I just thought it might not be good for you."
Oliver pinched her nose, letting out a soft sound of indulgence. "What are you always thinking about?"
"Don't you think my actions are too impulsive and not befitting of my status?" Natalie thought aloud, still struck with guilt.
Oliver bent down, playing with Natalie's hair as usual. "You do whatever you want, and it's perfectly in line with your identity."
"You sound like you're coaxing a child," Natalie said awkwardly.
"Well, aren't you my little child?"
Natalie couldn't help but laugh. Maybe it was because of Susan's bad mood today, but it seemed that all the grievances she had received because of Susan had disappeared.
Natalie was about to speak when she suddenly noticed something was amiss.
An estimated five meters distance from them, it was awkwardly silent, and everyone looked at her as if they had seen a ghost.
"Can you please watch someone dance properly?" Natalie told them.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
