Chapter 216 Pretending to Be Sick for Long Enough
No wonder Lillian was so bitter; it was a one-sided crush for ten years.
Seeing Lillian's stiff expression, Natalie felt a bit heavy-hearted. She felt for her, but didn't pity her.
She looked Lillian straight in the eye. "Ms. Garcia, your heartbreak isn't anyone else's burden to bear. Your unrequited love isn't my fault. I'm not the one who wrecked your relationship. I don't owe you anything."
Just because someone’s in a tough spot didn’t mean they get to call the shots. She and Lillian were worlds apart.
Both had unrequited love, but Natalie had put herself out there, hoping Gabriel would notice her. But Lillian never made a move in those ten years.
"But he likes you." Lillian shot her a furious glare.
Natalie just shook her head. "Ms. Garcia, be reasonable! He likes me, but that’s not on me. Why didn’t you let him go when you knew it was one-sided?"
Natalie thought, 'Why come up with lame excuses for your unrequited love? Do you really need to blame others to cope? What kind of twisted logic is that?'
She had thought Lillian, so tough in the business world, would be more straightforward and decent. Actually, she was just as sneaky behind the scenes.
Natalie really didn’t want to waste her breath arguing. "Ms. Garcia, let’s just drop it. If you want, I can get Charlie here, and we can all talk it out. We’re adults; if it works, great. If not, let’s not waste time. What do you say?"
Natalie figured her suggestion was the best way to go.
Instead of this one-sided obsession, Lillian would never know if she had a shot. Better to just ask straight up.
Lillian hesitated for a moment, but it was gone in a flash. "You just want to humiliate me in front of him, don’t you?"
With that, Natalie was done talking. She spread her hands, her gaze turning cold. "Do whatever you want. I’ve done my part. You don’t belong in this business, and you don’t fit in this circle."
Sticking around wouldn’t do any good. The message to leave was crystal clear.
Lillian couldn’t find a place in all of Wallege.
Lillian glared at Natalie with a cold, fierce look. Her whole vibe was intense, and the tension was thick. "Fine, Natalie; don’t blame me for being rude."
Natalie raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze without flinching. "Aaron, show her out!"
After that, Lillian vanished without a trace.
Aaron reported she had gone back to Starhaven company headquarters.
Natalie was a bit surprised. It didn’t seem right that Lillian just left like that. But at least things would be quiet for a while.
At a business cocktail party, Natalie showed up with Kelly. They ran into Charlie and Aaliyah.
Aaliyah looked stunned when she saw Natalie. But she quickly recovered and warmly took her hand. "Natalie, I’ve missed you! I’ve asked Charlie to invite you over so many times, why haven’t you come by?"
Natalie thought, 'I don’t want to make things awkward for myself.'
She kept her cool and stayed elegant, smiling politely but distantly. "Aunt Aaliyah, the company’s been busy. Plus, Mr. Walker just got better; he needs to rest."
Aaliyah saw no bitterness on Natalie’s face. She felt relieved. She wanted to bring up the painting "Hot Sun" again, but didn’t have the nerve.
Natalie had no intention of mentioning it either.
Aaliyah could only feel heartache and regret.
After some small talk, they finally moved past the awkwardness.
Charlie came over, and Aaliyah found an excuse to leave.
Natalie dropped her fake smile and gave him a look. "You’ve been faking being sick long enough."
Charlie flashed a devilish grin. "Did you miss me?"
