Chapter 663 Sweetening the Deal
Was Oliver still in love with Natalie?!!!
If Oliver had truly lost interest in Natalie as the public speculated, why would Susan go to such lengths to harm Natalie?
Old fans and new fans alike started shipping Oliver and Natalie again, getting all worked up with speculation.
Oliver saw an explosion of messages in the "Natalie and Oliver Headquarters" fan group.
[Sisters, our ship's spring has arrived!]
[My ship is sailing!]
[If Mr. Windsor doesn't like Natalie, I'll eat my keyboard live!]
Oliver found these posts more pleasant to read than clinching a nine-figure deal.
In his good spirits, Mr. Windsor sent a huge virtual red envelope to the group.
Fans were used to the wealthy "miss" handing out bonuses, but they still asked politely why she sent this one.
Big Spender: [Buying candy.]
Fans commented.
Fan: [I got you some candy.]
Fan: [A metaphorical sugar rush.]
Fan: [Let's try hard to keep this sweet deal going and let more people know that Oliver and Natalie are the real deal!]
On the way back to Maple Villa, Natalie saw the speculation online about her and Oliver. The comments suggested that Oliver might still have feelings for her made her feel guilty. It felt like she was deceiving her fans.
But Natalie had too much to handle at the moment to fret about online gossip; things were hectic.
Emily Reed was managing the contract termination negotiations with HHY Company and leveraging public opinion and industry resources to fight for Natalie's interests.
Natalie had already reported Susan's malicious plot to the police, and the case was a sensation nationwide, leading to a swift police investigation.
"Wait just a moment," Oliver said while on the phone, glancing back at Natalie, who was in the middle of a yoga fitness session. "Hey Natalie, are you free tomorrow?"
Natalie was caught off guard and skimmed through her schedule in her mind. "I have to stop by the office tomorrow, but I'm free the day after."
Oliver nodded and relayed the message to the person on the phone, "The day after tomorrow works."
The response on the other end prompted a touch of frost and sarcasm to grace Oliver's face. "Mr. Hastings, it seems you're not quite in the loop. Currently, it's your family, the Hastings, seeking out my wife and not the other way around."
Natalie paused her movements and looked at Oliver, her mind racing, ‘Mr. Hastings?’
"Moreover, Mr. Hastings should be well aware that if it weren't for old Hastings' sake, I wouldn't even consider taking your call at this time," Oliver spoke, with chilling condescension.
Natalie could almost picture the ugly look on the caller's face upon hearing those words. Oliver's words were just too blunt, too unceremoniously direct!
"Oliver, is it someone from the Hastings family?" Natalie's initial confusion over who it could be dissolved when she heard the mention of "old Hastings". This insight led her straight to the renowned Hastings family.
It had to be them—only the Hastings would be so eager to make contact at this time.
"James," Oliver revealed, "they want to meet with you. Are you willing?"
Natalie was stunned. "Didn’t you just… agree to meet with him?"
Oliver wore an innocent expression. "When did I agree? I only inquired about your availability."
Thinking back, Natalie realized Oliver had indeed not agreed to anything; he had simply asked when she was free.
"The decision to meet or not is up to you," Oliver explained.
"What if I don’t agree?" she inquired.
"Then we don't meet," he stated matter-of-factly.
At worst, it would mean the Hastings would make a futile trip from Tycoon City—a trifling matter, indeed.
Natalie thought to herself, ‘How sly, cunning, and shrewd of him.’
Oliver watched Natalie, awaiting her decision to meet or not.
"I will not meet them," Natalie said.
Rather than waste her time and energy on the Hastings family, which would only pollute her eyes and upset her, she preferred to read a couple more books.
Oliver walked over to the yoga mat with a smile, squatted down next to it, and affectionately brushed against Natalie's nose, saying, "Mrs. Windsor, I see improvement."
The final "huh" was spoken lightly, with a rising tone at the end, full of indulgence and teasing.
Natalie asked, "Improvement in what?"
"Knowing how to put someone in their place," Oliver pinched Natalie's thin earlobe.
Natalie swatted his hand away, laughing despite herself, "Do you think I'm a fool in your eyes? How could I not know how to put someone in their place? Besides, this isn't about putting anyone in their place; I just genuinely don't want to meet them."
"Natalie is very smart," Oliver nodded in agreement, "All right if Natalie doesn't want to meet, we won't meet."
The Hastings family was in disarray due to Susan's actions, trying to deal with internal factions attempting to divide the family's influence using Susan's misconduct as an excuse while also handling Susan's legal troubles, cooperating with the police investigation, and taking care of various matters.
Having the time to travel from Tycoon City to Paykston was already the result of a tightly squeezed schedule.
But when they arrived in Paykston, the unexpected news was that Natalie was refusing to meet!
‘Refusing to meet, how dare that young woman take such liberties!’ the Hastings thought.
"What do we do, Grandpa?" Susan felt a burning shame on her face, feeling utterly humiliated.
She had come with her family to see Natalie, which was already a lowering of her status, and Natalie was still making a fool of her! Was this a deliberate attempt to embarrass her?
In the presence of Old Hastings, James had little say in the matter. Throughout his life, James' abilities had been mediocre, neither outstanding nor dreadful, adequate compared to his peers, but far from matching his father's or his son's intelligence.
Old Hastings looked at his granddaughter and eventually sighed, saying, "You all come with me. We're going to see Old Mrs. Windsor."
Old Hastings didn't want to call upon his friendship with Marjorie, but seeing his granddaughter look so pitiable, the kindness of an old man's heart, along with the love for his spoiled granddaughter, made him reluctant to see her entangled in legal troubles or end up in jail.
Marjorie was growing weary of the monotony at the Rosewood Estate, eagerly anticipating the day her grandson and his wife would return to live with her. However, instead of the anticipated family reunion, it was the Hastings family who unexpectedly arrived.
Marjorie had a deep relationship with Old Hastings, and upon receiving his phone call, she immediately agreed to host the visitors at the guesthouse on the expansive grounds of the Rosewood Estate.
Even old friends like the Hastings weren't permitted into the main house.
"I wonder why Old Hastings suddenly thought of contacting me," Marjorie muttered in puzzlement as she directed the servants to prepare for the tea party happening in just two hours.
Mr. Liam opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Madam, I might know the reason."
"Out with it, Liam. Don't be so mysterious," Marjorie snapped, clearly indicating that she wanted a straight answer without delay.
"The Hastings family's visit likely has something to do with Ms. Hastings," Liam ventured. Since Old Hastings had no daughters, only sons, the only person who could be referred to as "Ms. Hastings" was his granddaughter, Susan.
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