Chapter 588 Beyond Fertility Issues
As Natalie applied ointment to Casey's wound, she asked, "Does it hurt?"
"Not at all." No one in her memory had ever inquired if she was in pain.
Casey had been brought from an orphanage by Roger Wild's father, raised alongside countless other girls and boys trained from a young age.
They were taught not to ponder "Does it hurt?" but "How strong are you?" and "Are you useful?"
Despite Casey's assurance that it didn't hurt, Natalie blew gently on the wound, concerned that she might be enduring in silence. She said softly, "Girls need to take care of themselves. Try not to let scars form. I've used this ointment before; it's quite effective."
After treating the wound, Natalie handed her own scar reducing cream to Casey.
Casey stood still for a moment, feeling a warmth slowly rising from the depths of her desolate, numb heart.
She was more emotionally detached than Sophia had been, but when Sophia passed on the assignment to her, she had warned Casey that Natalie was someone who appeared aloof but had a gentle heart and could easily "conquer" others. At the time, Casey hadn't taken it to heart, but now she was finally beginning to grasp what Sophia meant.
Even as Casey stepped out of the cabin, she continued to gaze at the scar removal cream, deep in thought.
Don't leave a scar?
For people like them, their bodies were marked with countless scars, old and new, and yet someone had given her scar cream, saying, "Girls should try not to keep scars."
It was somewhat amusing but more than that, it was an unexpected dose of warmth.
She’d always known Natalie was kind-hearted, treating her, a "subordinate," with gentleness. Whenever Natalie brought gifts for Lilian, she'd include something for Casey too. Only now did she genuinely feel the strength of that tenderness.
Leaving the cabin, Casey suddenly noticed someone watching her.
“Mr. Windsor.”
Oliver's gaze quickly swept over her. "You're Natalie's assistant."
"Yes." Since Oliver had seen her, Casey knew she couldn't hide it from him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Miss Reed arranged for my admission so I could assist Miss Watson." But in truth, it wasn't Miss Reed's doing that had facilitated her entry.
Oliver nodded, recalling Casey's previous actions, "You're quite skilled."
It was half question, half statement.
Casey was startled, not sure what to make of Oliver's comment, but she responded with apparent shock, "Yes."
"As long as you don't harm Natalie, I won't touch you."
Casey understood this as both a warning and a declaration from Oliver, "Rest assured, Mr. Windsor."
Oliver gestured with his hand that she could leave.
Entering the room, Natalie was packing her bags, taking out the items she needed.
That woman, Oliver had looked into her before and found nothing amiss, but now certain doubts crept in. However, as long as she posed no threat to Natalie, having her close could be beneficial—Natalie trusted her, and her presence could add to Natalie's sense of security.
"Natalie, I'm taking you to meet someone tomorrow." Oliver didn't mention Casey.
"Hmm?" Natalie looked up in confusion, "Who? Don't we have scheduled events tomorrow?"
"Richard."
Regarding the event organizers' plans, let them handle it however they like!
If it were somebody else, Natalie would not likely tag along with Oliver. After all, she wasn't Oliver's wife anymore, and their current connection was a bit peculiar. However, the situation was different with Richard...
"He specifically asked to see you," Oliver said, looking at Natalie.
"Because of Jane?" Natalie inquired.
Oliver gave her a look that said, "How should I know?"
After a moment's contemplation, Natalie nodded and agreed, "Alright, I'll go."
What Oliver hadn't told Natalie was that Richard hadn't actually asked to see her directly. It was Oliver who had casually mentioned that his wife was Jane's close friend, prompting Richard to suggest bringing Natalie along.
Richard's interest in meeting Natalie stemmed from Jane, and the 'invitation' provided Oliver with an opportunity to disprove the rumors about him and Natalie to someone as influential as Richard.
Why not take advantage of the opportunity?
Although it wasn't the right time for a widespread announcement that he and Natalie hadn't divorced, and that Natalie was far from being the "abandoned socialite" as the rumors claimed, displaying their affection within a smaller circle was deemed acceptable.
Lilian, with an ice cream in hand, watched Lucas pack up his belongings, moving back and forth in a bit of a mess.
Initially feeling guilty for watching Lucas work alone, she ended up not knowing where to put things, creating a mess. Lucas handed her an ice cream and suggested her to sit aside.
"Stay seated and don't make trouble."
"Lucas, I heard that in your family, it's usually women who do the housework and cleaning. Why do you know how to do all this?" Lilian asked curiously, tilting her head.
"There’s no need to divide tasks by gender, aside from childbirth," Lucas scoffed at those who believed housework was solely the woman's job.
"I agree," Lilian nodded earnestly. "Like me, for instance. I can't do any of that."
Lucas glanced at her and remarked, "A lady like you doesn't need to learn these things."
"But what if I find myself in a situation without servants to take care of me?" Lilian thought aloud, but she also realized she might not be able to learn these tasks. She'd had a housekeeper in Paykston when she lived alone.
Moreover, the Norton family wouldn't go bankrupt in her lifetime. Even if they did face misfortune, her family had already secured a substantial trust fund for her to ensure she could live comfortably without financial worries.
"Am I not here for you?" Lucas said, pausing briefly with a self-deprecating chuckle, then he sneakily glanced at Lilian, worried she might read between the lines of his off-the-cuff remark.
"Thank goodness for you!" Lilian swung her legs from the rocking chair, her face beaming with a smile. "Lucas, you may not always say the nicest things, but you're really special."
Lucas opened his mouth, was unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed.
She really was clueless.
"If you're bored, go hang out with my sister, Natalie." Better her than having Oliver, my ex-brother-in-law, hogging all her time.
"Sure!" Encouraged by Lucas's suggestion, Lilian went to find Natalie without any hesitation.
Natalie showed Lilian around the estate, spending time together.
Remembering a post on Instagram, Lilian asked, "Natalie, if someone spoke ill of you or spread rumors, would you want revenge?"
"Huh?" Natalie looked at Lilian, her gaze filled with curiosity.
Lilian didn't want to bring up the online drama to Natalie, but under Natalie's persistent stare, she caved in seconds.
"It's just... someone took a photo of you with our cousin, but they 'accidentally' failed to recognize him. It's as if they did it on purpose. Anyway, people are saying you've found a new fling, calling you... flirtatious."
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