Chapter534 Natalie’s Road to Recovery
With a triumphant wink, Lilian boasted, "He's flying straight from London, should be arriving at the destination any time now."
Natalie, having all but severed ties with the Watson family, couldn't help but note that Lucas was Robert’s only son—a fact that gained importance after the tragic loss of his daughter Hailey. Now more than ever, Robert wanted to stay on Lucas' good side.
Although the Watson family's fortune had dwindled, they still held a standing among the nation's elite, which made Lucas a shoo-in for the invitation.
"Why didn't Lucas say anything to me?"
"Didn't you also keep him in the dark? It's okay though, he's in the loop now."
Natalie rubbed her temples, perplexed at how the siblings had grown so close without her noticing, conspiring behind her back, no less.
"Lilian, make sure you're careful when you're out having fun, okay? Watch out for yourself and don't let anyone push you around or set you up," Natalie advised with an exasperated fondness toward her fearless little sister.
"Don't worry, I'm not stupid!"
"..."
You sure about that?
The rendezvous was an estate near the airport, with staff on ground to guide the scions and debutantes upon their arrival.
"Lucas!"
Lilian's sharp eyes spotted the tall, lean youth standing by the airport exit.
Donning a baseball cap with an air of subtlety, Lucas stood in the corner. Only when he heard his name did he lift the hat, revealing his handsome features. He tipped the cap in a dashing bow to Natalie and Lilian who were approaching from a distance.
Natalie responded with smile indulgent.
"Hey, sis." After greeting Natalie, Lucas playfully ruffled Lilian's hair.
Lilian responded with a resigned smile.
Turning to Natalie, she complained, "Natalie! Do something about your brother!"
"Lucas," Natalie called out in a tone that suggested this was a situation she knew she couldn't really handle.
Lucas, arms folded, laughed. "Can't blame me, sis. Who can resist patting her when she's so adorable?"
Lilian stamped her foot in frustration.
It was her fault for choosing comfort over height today, deciding on flat shoes. She should've worn her sky-high stilettos!
The event was hosted by the social elite. Attendants were on-hand as soon as guests arrived at the airport.
There were people to handle their luggage and an interim coordinator who verified the invitations, inviting Natalie and her companions to board an SUV that would take them to the estate.
Upon entering, they circled past a grandiose fountain and were greeted by the sight of a sprawling lawn set for an afternoon tea party.
Natalie and Lilian's flight was slightly delayed, so by the time they arrived, most of the other guests were already mingling in pairs and small groups. The chatter quieted momentarily as heads turned toward the sound of the arriving vehicle—
"Is that Natalie? Why is Natalie here?"
"Didn't she have a limp? Out and about, huh?"
"You should be asking what a dumped woman is doing at a couples’ camp?"
"Isn't that foreigner walking with Natalie her assistant? I thought this was supposed to be close-knit, why all the riffraff?"
"Lucas is here too, tsk!"
"Susan and her fiancé are in attendance; things are about to get spicy!"
Glances were exchanged all around; these were shrewd people, none eager to be the first to stir the pot, even if they wanted to watch Natalie's drama unfold.
So they waited for a fool.
And quickly, one appeared: "Natalie, is your leg okay now?"
Someone broke the ice.
"Sharon, you're here too?" Natalie was taken aback.
She recalled that Sharon came from a modest family and definitely didn't have a high-profile boyfriend to qualify her for an event like this.
Natalie approached, unhurried and with a stride that was steady and graceful.
Others exchanged quick looks:
“Natalie's not limping anymore? Her leg is healed?”
“Sure looks healed!”
“Maybe there was never a limp. Could've been some gossipmonger's tale.”
Sharon's eyes were glued to Natalie's leg, hardly believing the recovery was real.
"Are you insulting me because I once noticed something was off with your leg? It's your fault for hiding it as a model, causing unnecessary trouble for the industry."
Natalie was puzzled. Who was trying to insult you?
"Sis, is this the classmate who always scores lower than you but insists on competing?" Lucas sneered.
He paused, then considerately filled Natalie in: "Sis, you might not know this, but Miss Sharon's mother remarried Mr. Jason two weeks ago—you know, the one who's over sixty and outlived two wives. Ring any bells?"
Lilian realized: "Her mom married into money? No wonder Sharon's suddenly so bold!"
The room erupted in stifled laughter.
Initially baffled by Sharon's unfamiliar face, they later learned her mother had become the new mistress of an elite figure.
Mr. Jason had a pretty sketchy reputation around the social circles. He kept a string of mistresses. His sons were no better, known more for their lack of education and refinement than for any positive qualities. It was the kind of family that any woman with a shred of self-respect would avoid at all costs.
Yet, incredibly, Sharon wore her entry into this so-called elite family as a badge of honor.
The rumors had been swirling about Sharon's behavior towards Natalie at a recent party. Such pettiness was not uncommon in high society, but that didn't stop people from looking down on those who engaged in it.
Sharon was fuming, her face pale.
"Miss Lilian, what brings you here, exactly? As Natalie's assistant?" Sharon pointed an accusatory finger at Lilian.
The event coordinator hurried to check the guest list after hearing this. The gathering was intended to foster relationships among the heirs of established families, not their subordinates or assistants.
Upon consulting the list, a bombshell dropped!
"Miss Sharon, Miss Lilian is not an assistant!" the coordinator blurted out, sweat beading his forehead. He quickly apologized to Lilian before announcing, "Lilian Norton is Mr. Windsor's first cousin."
"The Norton family?!" someone exclaimed.
The Norton family was a prestigious family, and the current head of the family had only one daughter, pampered and adored, rarely seen in public.
Could it be that this esteemed heiress of the Norton family was the same person who had been working inconspicuously by Natalie's side for a year?
The way everyone looked at Lilian shifted in an instant.
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