Chapter 72


    Chapter 72 Shining Brightly


    While she was nning to divorce Cedric, it wasn’t as if she felt nothing when people portrayed her in


    that


    way.


    Who would willingly ept unfair treatment?


    Unfairness was one thing, but having to endure humiliation time and time again was quite another.


    Natalie nced at Reba. In her all–ck evening gown with her hair elegantly coiled up, Reba


    truly exuded the presence of a queen.


    Even her speech carried irresistible authority.


    In the past, Natalie had been driven to lose her patience when confronted with this kind of gossip. She


    would retreat to the kitchen, which led people to assume that the kitchen was where she belonged.


    A smirk tugged at her l*ps. “I’m afraid not. After all, I’m still the young mistress of the Johnson family,


    aren’t I?”


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    Reba retorted, “You’ve got some nerve!”


    “Enough!” Cedric intervened just as Natalie was about to continue.


    He swept her into his arms in a protective manner and said firmly. “She’s the young mistress of the


    Johnson family, not a servant. There’s no need for her to be in the kitchen.”


    “You’re still protecting her at this point?!” Reba hissed.


    She was on the verge of screaming her lungs out!


    If it weren’t for the crowd of onlookers, she might have given Natalie a piece of her mind. Things were


    getting increasingly difficult to manage, and herposure was slipping.


    Cedric didn’t say much more. Instead, he took Natalie’s hand and said, “Let’s go and wish Grandma a


    happy birthday.”


    Reba was left frozen there, her heart pounding in rage.


    If it weren’t for the presence of so many people, she wouldn’t have been able to hide the resentment in


    her eyes. Despite all these years in the Johnson family, she still needed some time to recuperate after


    this encounter.


    She swallowed all her frustrations and grievances for now


    She would settle the score with Natalie after the banquet!


    Natalie and Cedric became the center of attention wherever they went. All eyes were on Natalie,


    especially the jewelry she was wearing.


    Finally, someone with a discerning eye spoke up.


    This created a stir among the crowd!


    “Weren’t they about to divorce? Why can they still afford this year’s creation by Lux? And it had to be


    the


    one I couldn’t even get my hands on!”


    “It looks quite ordinary to me.”


    “Take a closer look. Can’t you see it?‘ Someone said with a dissatisfied glint in their eyes.


    Seriously? There were actually people here who couldn’t understand?!


    Lux’s design might seem ordinary this year, but there was a deeper meaning to it if one looked


    carefully.


    It was practically…!


    The value of this ne was extraordinary.


    “Her dress is also a creation by J.G, the famous designer of this year. She doesn’t look like someone


    who’s getting divorced.”


    The women who recognized the items believed that Cedric had bought them for Natalie.


    If they were really getting divorced, why would he spend so much on her?


    Discussions were already in full swing at the event!


    Tonight, the birthday girl was the most sought after. The guests had brought many gifts, but these were


    mostly symbolic.


    They hade with ulterior motives, either to explore potential business coborations with the


    Johnson family or to see if Natalie and Cedric would indeed divorce, holding out hope for possible


    marriage in the future.


    Christina remained by Elizabeth’s side. Her demeanor as a youngdy was very endearing, and it drew


    many admirers tonight


    People born into prominent families often felt a certain sadness, as they often found themselves treated


    likemodities, avable for anyone to choose.


    Elizabeth also didn’t particrly like Natalie


    Upon seeing Cedric bringing Natalie along, her gaze grew more serious. Itcked the gentleness she


    had disyed while looking at Christina.


    Joyce has alsoe, Ced. Why don’t you go see her? Reba had taken a liking to Joyce, and


    Elizabeth shared this sentiment.


    People who had lived together for so many years had peculiar ways of viewing others and their habits.


    Natalie appeared unfazedposed, even though Elizabeth was publicly rebuking her.


    Cedric, on the other hand, tightened his hold on Natalie’s hand.


    “I don’t know her well,” Cedric replied.


    Elizabeth was already in a bad mood, and it grew even more somber upon hearing Cedric’s response.


    His answer could be seen as a slight to her.


    Natalie chimed in with a smile, “Ms. Lambert is a refined youngdy. For a married man like Cedric to


    visit her alone would tarnish her reputation, don’t you think?”


    Elizabeth was silent at Natalie’s words.


    “Even if he wanted to visit her, he should wait until after the banquet is over.”


    Natalie’s words were seemingly casual, but they stung everyone involved like a p to their faces!


    Jocelyn’s father, Henry Lambert, had just presented a gift to Elizabeth and intended to have a brief


    conversation.


    When Elizabeth instructed Cedric to see Joyce, he understood the Johnson family’s stance.


    But who could have anticipated that the soon–to–be–divorced Mrs. Johnson would utter such words?


    What did she mean by that? What did she mean that Cedric should visit Jocelyn only after the event


    had ended? Was Natalie implying that his daughter was just like those unruly women outside and had


    to sneak around with a man?


    The atmosphere in the room grew awkward.


    Natalie, in contrast, maintained a calm appearance, thoroughly infuriating those present.


    Elizabeth red at Natalie viciously. “Ced has really spoiled you!”


    Her tone was as gentle as possible, but Natalie could sense the emotions in Elizabeth’s tone.


    She met Elizabeth’s gaze indifferently.


    Where she used to be respectful, she was now defiant. Once a silent presence in the background of


    banquets, she now stood brightly at Cedric’s side.


    “I’m a bit hungry,” Natalie said to Cedric.


    Cedric rose. He left the gift with Elizabeth and offered some blessings before taking Natalie to the


    dining


    area.


    “Try to control your temper,” Cedric whispered in Natalie’s ear. He knew she was annoyed with the


    people


    in this family. While it was eptable under normal circumstances, it was inappropriate in the current


    setting.


    Natalie put a small piece of cake in her mouth, but it felt a bit too rich for her liking.


    “Do you think I have a bad temper now?”


    As she spoke, she licked the cream off her fingers, looking incredibly alluring. Cedric tensed up from


    her actions.


    “You little minx…!”


    He was sorely tempted to deal with her right here!


    Christina approached them. Although she had never liked Natalie, she now put on a show of


    politeness.


    “Nat, my ne just broke. Would you minding with me to pick out another one from my room?”


    Christina spoke gently but cast a nce at the ne around Natalie’s neck.


    Clearly, she had heard the gossip from the banquet. She hadn’t noticed it when she was near Elizabeth


    earlier. But now, seeing Natalie in her expensive outfit and jewelry, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge


    of Jealousy.


    She hadn’t expected that amidst Natalie’s uproar, Cedric would buy her such things to appease her.


    She had thought he would lose patience with this hypocritical woman and tell her to leave, but looking


    at her


    Natalie smiled faintly and replied, “Sure.”


    Cedric knew that they didn’t get along privately, and he understood the purpose of their visit today!


    It was to tell everyone that he and Natalie wouldn’t be divorcing!


    He hoped Natalie understood his intentions and wasn’t willing to let others interfere in their affairs at


    this


    time.