Chapter 798 These People Deserve It!
Since her husband had inadvertently let it slip, Maddison felt there was no longer a need for her to keep it hidden.
"Natalie, you're aware that Lilian is still engaged. Although we don't approve of Morris, it's not appropriate for Isaiah and me to intervene. It would be best if Lilian could resolve this herself, so she needs someone capable of helping her. Do you understand?"
Natalie sensed that Maddison's intentions extended beyond merely finding a boyfriend for Lilian; Maddison was also attempting to help her escape the engagement.
As the heads of the Norton family, Isaiah and Maddison maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with Morris and the Norton family. For the other members of the Norton family, apart from Isaiah and Maddison, the happiness of Lilian’s marriage or Morris’s motives for marrying her were inconsequential. The primary concern was the benefits Morris could bring to the family.
"Lilian, haven't you told your parents about your boyfriend?" Natalie asked.
"I'm too afraid to tell them," Lilian pleaded as she looked at Natalie, "Please, talk to them for me. If my mom and dad find out about the engagement and that I forced Lucas, they'll certainly scold me. I'm not a good girl."
Natalie was at a loss for words. How had Lucas managed to confuse this naive girl into willingly accepting such a burden?
"Isaiah, Maddison, in fact, Lilian’s boyfriend is my brother," Natalie stated, facing the middle-aged couple before her.
"Who?"
"My brother. His name is Lucas."
The Norton couple froze instantly. They exchanged glances to confirm they had not misheard and were utterly astonished.
"I was the one who pressured Lucas after drinking, Dad. Don't blame him!"
Seeing her father’s agitation, Lilian feared he might erupt, and she quickly said, "You can't blame Natalie either. Oliver will definitely be unhappy!"
"Be quiet!" Maddison scolded her daughter and, recalling her earlier conversation with her husband, she said apologetically to Natalie, "Lilian is indeed wrong in this matter. We accept responsibility."
Natalie tried to explain, "No, you don't understand the situation. This issue is primarily my brother’s fault. Look at your daughter, with her slender arms and legs. She's so innocent and cute. How could she possibly force anyone?"
"Natalie, we're family. I'll be direct, is your brother smart?" Maddison asked.
"Lucas is very smart! He..." Lilian started to speak highly of her boyfriend but was silenced by a stern look from her mother.
"He's not bad," Natalie said hesitantly, "Oliver mentioned that Lucas can handle the matter of Lilian's engagement."
Isaiah and Maddison exchanged a look and both heaved a sigh of relief. That was enough. Everything was settled! Nothing else mattered.
Isaiah said, "Natalie, you're so capable, so your brother won't be any worse. With him, Lilian won't be bullied in the future. I can rest easy."
Natalie was at a loss for words. How could they be so convinced that she would not side with Lucas between Lucas and Lilian? He was her brother after all.
What Natalie did not realize was that recently, when Lilian returned home, she frequently praised Natalie. She expressed that since Natalie had come into their lives, Oliver had started treating her more kindly. Previously, he only spent money on her, but now he genuinely cared for her well-being. Natalie always thought about her needs, which made her seem much warmer than the indifferent Oliver!
In her praise, Lilian used the most eloquent and glowing terms. It was as if Natalie were her savior!
In the next ten minutes, Isaiah and Maddison continued to inquire about Lucas and Lilian. The more they heard from Natalie, the more satisfied they became with their daughter's boyfriend.
Natalie even began to suspect that Maddison might want them to get married immediately!
…
Isaiah and Maddison enthusiastically escorted Natalie out, while Natalie's mind raced with thoughts.
When the four of them reached the downstairs hall, they keenly sensed an underlying tension.
There was a noticeable awkwardness.
The other relatives of the Norton family had previously considered Natalie a woman likely to be discarded and unworthy of concern. Surprisingly, Oliver descended the stairs and immediately began mocking them. Now, here were Isaiah and Maddison, accompanying Natalie with smiles on their faces and an air of friendliness.
To any observer, it was clear that Isaiah and Maddison were very warm toward Natalie.
This only added to the awkward atmosphere.
"Natalie, come here."
Oliver locked eyes with Natalie. In front of everyone, he extended his hand to her. His demeanor was not overly gentle, but it was significantly more courteous than how he had behaved with the other guests earlier.
Natalie nodded at Isaiah and Maddison, then walked toward Oliver.
Unexpectedly, after taking her hand, Oliver said, "Isaiah, Maddison, my wife and I will take our leave first."
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Isaiah still wanted to discuss his daughter's boyfriend with Natalie.
"There are many people here trying to meddle in my marriage and even attempting to introduce other women to me. If I stay a minute longer, my wife will become even more upset," Oliver explained, directing his dissatisfaction toward the other guests rather than Isaiah.
The expressions of the Norton family members involved in Natalie and Oliver's situation shifted noticeably.
'Why is he speaking so outrageously?'
'When is his wife upset?'
'We were just speaking casually. How could he point us out like that?'
Isaiah's demeanor changed instantly. He looked at everyone coldly. With a small beard and a robust figure, he looked particularly formidable when he was angry. He said, "You tried to interfere in Oliver’s marriage? I haven't even said anything, who do you think you are to do such a thing? I think Natalie is wonderful, and I'm very pleased with her. Who else wants to interfere? Speak up! Come talk to me!"
With such an aggressive stance, who would dare to confront Isaiah? Everyone was intimidated, fearing Isaiah's wrath. They turned their eyes to Maddison, hoping she could calm her husband. For many years, only Maddison had been able to deal with Isaiah. However, she only smiled gracefully, pretending not to notice the turmoil. She thought these people deserved it!
Oliver, still holding Natalie's hand, walked out as the butler hurried to open the door for them. Just as they were about to exit, Oliver paused and added, "Although Isaiah only has a daughter, Lilian, he still has me as his nephew. When you choose sides, you better think carefully."
This statement jolted everyone present. If Oliver’s earlier words and actions were a warning, this last remark tore through any remaining pretentious facade of pretense among the conceited members of the Norton family.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
