Chapter 912 Three Conditions Exchanged for a Life
Oliver squinted, casting a disdainful look at Caleb and James.
Natalie felt chilled to the bone and didn't think Caleb was particularly fond of her.
Even though Natalie resembled the late Mrs. Hastings, it couldn't mask the present interests.
Asking Natalie to return to the Hastings family was merely for the glory and reputation she could bring to them.
However, returning to the Hastings family meant entering a place devoid of compassion, filled with schemes and malice.
As relatives of Natalie, Caleb and the others had done nothing except repeatedly defend Susan and coerce Natalie into submission.
Natalie truly did not want to acknowledge such the family,
Before Oliver and Natalie could speak, Caleb said, "We have only three reasonable conditions, which can exchange for Lucas’ life."
Caleb was reminding Natalie that Lucas' life held more importance.
"Natalie, if you don't want to speak for Susan, we can have some discussion. But you must return home. I want to compensate you properly." James persuaded.
"James!" Caleb sternly reprimanded James.
James no longer cared about the disgraced Susan. In his eyes, only the radiant Natalie and Nathan, the child she bore mattered. However, Caleb wasn't as naive.
"Let's give you a day to consider." Caleb wasn't in a rush, because he believed this negotiation was a sure win. Natalie couldn't disregard Lucas!
The winter day in Paykston was exceptionally cold.
Entering the hotel lobby, a cold wind greeted them as they pushed through the doors, chilling and dry.
Samuel stood outside the hotel entrance, a cigarette between his fingertips. As Natalie and Oliver walked out, he blew one last smoke ring, extinguishing the unfinished cigarette.
"How did it go?" Samuel asked hurriedly upon seeing Natalie and Oliver.
"Go ask yourself," Oliver replied curtly.
At the sight of Natalie's grim expression, Samuel held back his sarcastic remarks, feeling somewhat aggrieved. "I'm on your side."
Oliver, expressionless, remarked, "You're still a member of the Hastings family."
By implying, Oliver made it clear he wasn't pleased with him at the moment.
Samuel couldn't change his surname because he had been raised by the Hastings family from a young age.
"I'll go ask." Samuel wanted to offer Natalie some comfort by patting her shoulder.
Before his hand could reach her, Oliver swatted it away.
Samuel thought incredulously, ‘She's my sister!’
Oliver conveyed his cold gaze that without his approval, Samuel's relation to Natalie didn't matter. "Samuel, didn't you want to avoid seeing them?" Natalie asked with a puzzled expression.
"I did," Samuel replied.
However, Samuel couldn't stand by and watch Caleb and the others bully Natalie.
Samuel quickly entered the hotel.
Natalie asked Oliver, "Oliver, how can you easily hand over the construction and household markets? How will you explain this to the shareholders?"
"No explanation needed." Oliver always acted decisively. The RisingKing Group's shareholders and executives were accustomed to it.
Moreover, these markets weren't as crucial to Oliver.
After a moment of thought, Oliver added, "Consider it a play fee for Samuel."
Natalie looked puzzled.
"When you were young, didn't he often play with you?" Oliver turned, pinching Natalie's cheek and saying with a smile, "Even if we give him these markets, it's for Samuel. It's not a loss."
The Hastings family was now under Samuel's control. Caleb didn't have many years left, and James wasn't a concern.
Oliver didn’t object to giving the markets to Samuel, as he genuinely treated Natalie like a sister.
Natalie pursed her lips, feeling sorry for Oliver. She whispered softly, "He didn't play with me when we were young but he played tricks on me."
Almost every brother in their childhood always regarded their sister as a plaything. Samuel was no exception.
Oliver smirked.
"What's so funny?" Natalie found Oliver's amusement inexplicable.
"Nothing." Oliver thought that in a couple of years. He could have another daughter, just like Natalie and Samuel in their childhood. However, it wasn't the right time to mention it.
"If you don't want to return to the Hastings family, then help yourself." After getting into the car, Oliver comfortingly kissed Natalie.
"I'll think about it." Natalie truly didn't want to return.
But she didn't dare refuse outright.
Natalie feared Oliver might resort to extreme measures for her.
Caleb and James had booked suites at the hotel and were about to head to their rooms when they heard a knock on the door.
They thought it was Natalie returning with an answer after some thought, but to their surprise, it was Samuel.
"Samuel, where did you come from?" James was puzzled. ‘Isn’t Samuel supposed to be elsewhere?’ He thought.
"What demands did you make?" Samuel didn't have time for small talk with Caleb and James.
At this point, Caleb could see that Samuel had intentionally stayed away from them before.
And now, his sudden appearance was to speak up for Natalie.
"You don't need to concern yourself with that." Caleb said sternly, "Samuel, all our actions are for the good of the Hastings family and more importantly for your benefit."
"For my benefit? Are you kidding me?" Samuel suppressed his anger. "Let me ask one last time, what exactly did you demand?"
James couldn't hold back. "First, clear Susan's name. Second, take a portion of the market from Oliver. Third, have Natalie return to the Hastings family."
Samuel couldn't believe what he was hearing from Caleb and James.
"How dare you make such demands?" Samuel was incredulous, looking at Caleb and James.
"How can you even suggest these demands?" Caleb slammed his hand on the table. "Samuel, how dare you say such things to us? I have taught you for so many years. You are disappointing!"
"Disappointing?" Samuel closed his eyes. "Caleb, Susan's current situation is of her own making. If you want Natalie to clear her name, it's like asking Natalie to tarnish her own reputation. From plagiarism to slander, from the attempt to harm Natalie and Oliver's relationship to destroy others’ family, Susan has done it all. And you want Natalie to whitewash Susan, disregarding Natalie’s life and dignity. You even ask Natalie to return to the Hastings family that only knows how to exploit her! Moreover, you want her to sister Susan, who once plotted against her. Don't you find that disgusting?"
Caleb slapped Samuel across the face.
In the lounge, Caleb, James, and Samuel stood frozen.
Caleb trembled his hand.
Caleb was getting older. Although his strength in hitting someone had diminished, this slap extinguished the last thought in Samuel's mind.
"Samuel, those who achieve great things don't sweat the small stuff. It's not that I don't care about Natalie, but I care more about the Hastings family. Samuel, as a qualified family leader, you need to learn to make sacrifices." Caleb sighed.
Caleb's care was contingent on securing all interests.
"Caleb, do you remember what happened before grandmother passed away?"
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