Chatper 475


    Natalie tossed the invitation card onto the nightstand before lying down on the bed. She inhaled deeply


    and said, “Nothing.”


    Evidently, she was lost in her own world of thoughts.


    Upon seeing the invitation card on the nightstand, Brandon took it and read it. His recent work schedule


    had been fairly full.


    Many invitations had been sent to him and Natalie to attend this charity event, but he had always


    declined.


    “Would you want to attend this fundraising dinner?”


    Brandon raised an eyebrow and looked at the invitation before uttering calmly, “I do have two meetings


    on Saturday. But if you’d like to attend this charity dinner, t can always postpone my meetings until next


    week and apany you.”


    Natalie was hesitant.


    “I don’t feel like it. However, when I contacted Laney just now, it looked like Mrs. Harding wanted her to


    attend the party. l’m just concerned about Laney because I sense that something bad might happen.”


    She turned and addressed Brandon, “As you are aware, Laney has never encountered such a scenario


    before.ney will unquestionably be in a bad position if people purposefully cause her trouble.”


    Brandon listened to Natalie attentively as he looked her in the eye.


    “Mrs. Harding went in Laney’s room when we were on the phone, and I overheard their conversation.


    At the uing charity event, I have a feeling Mrs. Harding would like to humiliate Laney. Remember,


    I’ve been there before.”


    Natalie clenched her teeth in contemtion.


    This was the type of conduct that she strongly disapproved of.


    Brandon held the irate Natalie in his arms and murmured in her ear while leaning against her, “Mrs.


    Harding and I met a few times while Garrett and I were both in high school. Back then, Garrett was


    known for his disobedience in school. His teachers were continually requesting his parents’ presence at


    school. Mrs. Harding always acted with grace and tenderness, like the most loving mother in the world,


    whenever she visited. lt was onlyter that I learned that his mother was quite possessive.”


    This factored into Garrett’s rebellious character. This was a major reason why Garrett resisted taking


    over the Harding Group a few years ago.


    “Garrett’s leaving makes sense. Now it is very evident that Laney is sad within the Harding household.”


    Natalie let out a sigh.


    For some reason, Brandon had never been curious about the family affairs of others. He wouldn’t have


    mentioned the Hardings at all if it weren’t for Natalie.


    “Garrett now has taken over the Harding Group for Laney’s sake, but Mrs. Harding continues to wield


    control over them, and that will cause Garrett to leave once more.”


    Brandon shook his head.


    Just a matter of time, he figured, and Garrett would be gone again! Natalie gave Brandon a startled


    look.


    “Your familiarity with Mrs. Harding begs the question: how did you get to know her so well? Have you


    interacted with her before?”


    Brandon smiled lightly.


    “Garrett’s constant whining about his family issues gave it away. Actually, he is still kind of lucky. While


    Mrs. Harding’s need to be in charge might be annoying at times, at least she has always been there in


    Garrett’s life.”


    When Brandon was younger, he believed it would be a good thing if his mother kept nagging him.


    At the time, he thought that Garrett was oblivious to his good luck.


    Natalie’s heart skipped a beat, and what Brandon said made her feel sorry for him.


    Natalie could see through Brandon. She saw the sadness under his normalposure.


    As a kid, Brandon should have yearned for the love of his family.


    Brandon envied the affection that Garrett received, despite Mrs. Harding’s strong desire for control.


    Natalie lowered her head and smiled.


    “What’s wrong with you?” she said, pretending to be bossy.


    She stood up and brushed Brandon’s w*t hair out of his face.


    “You need to dry your hair before you go to bed,” she added.


    “If you catch a cold tomorrow, no one will look after you.”


    Brandon was surprised; he’d never seen Natalie act bossy before.


    “Won’t you stay and look after me?” he asked, amused.


    Taking the hair dryer out of the drawer, Natalie smiled.


    “Come here,” she said impassively, “and I’ll dry your hair.”


    Brandon walked over to Natalie, still slightly confused.


    “Why are you being so bossy all of a sudden?” he asked.


    He tried to remember whether he’d said something to upset her.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    “If I make you unhappy, you have to tell me,” he urged.


    Natalie pursed her lips.


    The hair dryer was a little noisy, and it drowned out her chuckle.


    When Brandon’s hair waspletely dry, Natalie switched off the dryer.


    “Didn’t you secretly envy Garrett?” she asked softly.


    “Well,” she continued, “I’ll let you experience a woman with a passion for dominance.”


    Brandon smiled, moved.


    Natalie could tell that he was in a good mood. She rolled her eyes, wr*pped her arms around his neck


    and snuggled into his arms.


    “Brandon, I may be on a business trip in a few days.”


    Brandon remained unbothered.


    “Who are you going with?” he asked brightly.


    “It’s Mr. Wesley,” Natalie replied.


    “He’s taking me to the Iridescent Show. The show is only held once every five years, and I happened to


    be able to attend it this time. l’m very lucky.”


    To cate Brandon as soon as possible, she mentioned Draco quickly and in a low voice, before


    emphasizing less relevant details.


    Bandon, however, had good hearing.


    As soon as he caught the key point, he pursed his lips and said, “Since you’ve already decided you’re


    going, you’re not discussing with me; you’re informing me.”


    Natalie touched her nose.


    Indeed, she had agreed to Draco without hesitation. She tugged at Brandon’s sleeve.


    “But this is my job,” she reasoned.


    “I can’t refuse. Besides, I went on business trips before. You didn’t object back then.”


    Brandon’s mouth formed an unhappy line.


    The fact that Natalie had to go on a business trip with Draco alone was upsetting. His good mood


    vanished.


    Brandon kept his expression steady, however.


    “We’ve only been reconciled for a while,” he said.


    “You’ve been so busy with your work. There are rumors circting about our divorce, which has had a


    significantly negative impact on the Larson Group. The Larson Group stock price has been dropping.”


    Natalie didn’t know much about business, but she suspected that Brandon’s reasoning was a little far-


    fetched.


    Would rumors of their divorce… Really affect the stock price of the Larson Group? Moreover, Brandon


    was a man who didn’t care about other people’s opinions.


    Letting go of Natalie, he put the hair dryer back in the drawer andy down on the bed quietly.


    Natalie turned to look at him. supporting her head with her hand.


    Noticing the subtle expression on his face, she asked, “Are you jealous?”


    Brandon didn’t know how to respond. He pulled the quilt up around himself and rolled over.