Chapter 450 You Are Not Him


    Upon hearing his words, a hushed silence fell over the crowd. No one dared to provoke him further.


    The bodyguards took a step forward to disperse the crowd, and the remaining employees swiftly


    entered the elevator, eager to continue with their work. Within moments, the lobby was once again


    vacant and quiet.


    Nathaniel gripped Christina’s hand and pulled her into the private elevator reserved for higher–ups.


    Before the doors could close, he pinned her to the wall.


    “You must exin yourself,” he demanded coldly.


    Christina furrowed her brows and responded honestly, “I fell asleep in my roomst night. When I woke


    up in the morning, Francis wasn’t there anymore.”


    She spoke with an air ofposure and indifference as if the situation held no significance to her.


    Nathaniel narrowed his gaze. “That’s it?”


    What does he mean? Does he not trust me?


    Christina’s eyes turned cold. “What else do you think happened?”


    She despised being mistrusted by anyone.


    I don’t care what others think about me. He’s my husband, though. How could he not trust me?


    As their gazes met, the air around them seemed to freeze.


    There was no need for him to say anything as Christina could see the doubt in his


    The elevator doors opened with a ding, breaking the silence.


    gaze.


    Christina forcefully pushed his hands away. “If that’s what you believe, perhaps we should reconsider


    our rtionship,” she stated firmly.


    A couple who had doubts about each other would only tie each other down.


    With that, she stalked out without looking back.


    Upon arriving at her office, Rayne rushed over to Christina, having already read about the gossip.


    “Christina, how did you manage toe up? There’s a crowd downstairs. I texted you earlier, asking


    you not toe to the office,” Rayne eximed.


    Christina, not wanting to dwell on the frustrating incident, dismissed her concerns. “The security guards


    intervened, and they dispersed the crowd,” she casually replied, brushing off the topic.


    “Thankfully, this is Hadley Corporation. If it were any other ce, you would have beenpletely


    blocked and unable to get through,” Rayne remarked.


    Christina told her, “I don’t want to meet with any clients today. Please refrain from disturbing me unless


    it’s something urgent.” With that, she entered her office, seeking a moment of peace and solitude.


    Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a glow on Nathaniel as he read the scandalous news


    article about Christina and Francis in his office upstairs.


    As expected, the moment the article surfaced, Hadley Corporation’s stock prices took a hit. Throughout


    the morning until the market closed at eleven–thirty, thepany’s shares plummeted by thirteen


    percent.


    If the prices keep falling, thepany will face significant losses. Furthermore, exining this to the


    shareholders won’t be an easy task.


    Nathaniel’s gaze shifted downward, fixating on the screen before him. His expression was inscrutable,


    making it difficult to discern his thoughts.


    For the next three days, the matter didn’t settle down like usual but spread like wildfire online, garnering


    a lot of discussions.


    Christina found herself at the receiving end of harsh online criticism, asizens condemned her for


    being shameless and greedy. They even used her of seducing a celebrity despite being married to


    an esteemed CEO.


    She became the subject of disdain and contempt among inte users, and some even went to the


    extent of staking out Hadley Corporation, eagerly awaiting a chance to capture a photo of Christina for


    the sake of online attention.


    In stark contrast, Nathaniel was depicted as a devoted and loyal man, receiving admiration from


    women. Numerousizens expressed their willingness to marry him if he were to get a divorce.


    Consequently, Hadley Corporation’s share prices stabilized and even began to rise once again,


    reflecting the positive perception surrounding Nathaniel.


    Christina grew weary of the constant scrutiny. Every time she ventured outside, the paparazzi would


    surreptitiously capture her every move, invading her privacy. She resented being pursued like a


    celebrity and longed for freedom from constant surveince.


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    Fearing for her children’s well–being, she hesitated to visit them, fearful that the relentless paparazzi


    would intrude on their lives as well.


    She didn’t care how the media portrayed her, but she refused to drag her kids into the matter.


    When the doorbell of the condominium rang, Christina opened the door, assuming it was Rayne who


    came to deliver some stuff to her.


    “It’s you?” Fury shed in Christina’s gaze, and she didn’t step aside to allow Nathaniel entry.


    Nathaniel’s gaze was dark as he came closer to her, forcing her to either take a step back or bump into


    him.


    Christina retreated readily instead of struggling fruitlessly. “If you’re here to say something, say it now.”


    “Christina, why must you talk to me this way?” Nathaniel frowned as his voice turned cold.


    Christina didn’t think there was anything wrong with her tone, but as she nced up, she couldn’t help


    but notice Nathaniel’s icy expression. His tired eyes were surrounded by dark circles, and he appeared


    more dejected than ever. His unshaven stubble added to his somber appearance, suggesting ack of


    restful sleep.


    “Just tell me why you’re here. I’m busy,” she reminded him.


    Nathaniel had been consumed with work for the past few days and had rushed over as soon as he had


    wrapped things up. He didn’t expect to be treated coldly.


    “I heard from your assistant that you’re considering moving your office. Is that true?” he asked. He had


    come here right after receiving the news.


    After a few days of cooling down, Christina managed to regain herposure. It wasn’t that she


    genuinely desired to relocate her office, but rather, she wanted to avoid being the subject of gossip and


    unwarranted judgment. “Yourpany is raising my rent, and I can’t afford it anymore. That’s why I


    made the decision to relocate.”


    It sounded like a reasonable excuse, but Nathaniel’s expression merely grew darker.


    When did I ask her to pay the rental? It’s just an excuse for her to stay away from me.


    He came closer and put a hand on her shoulder. “The matter will blow over soon. I’ll get mywyer to


    issue a warning letter tomorrow,” he told her gently.


    The warmth radiating from his palm didn’t reassure Christina. In fact, she found this side of him more


    unfamiliar than ever.


    Pushing him away, she responded coldly, “Theizens are praising you as a devoted man while


    labeling me as an evil woman. This issue has been escting for days, yet you haven’t defended me in


    any way. Why is that?”


    Nathaniel was stunned by her response. “I wanted to defend you, but I was really busy-”


    “That’s enough!” Christina growled, feeling her heart being torn apart by their usations hurled at


    each other. “You’re so busy that you couldn’t even find a moment to send me a text? Do you really


    expect me to believe you?”


    He didn’t bother dispelling the rumor as it would benefit him.


    Nathaniel scowled and snapped, “Francis was the one who did this. Did he step out to exin things


    on your behalf?”


    It is highly probable that Francis was behind this scandal. Why didn’t Christina me me instead?


    Christina’s blood ran cold before it surged into her brain. Her eyes turned red as she stared at him


    intently. “How can you evenpare yourself to him? He’s nothing to me, but you’re the exact


    opposite!”