Chapter 73


    It was James, Chase and Carter who came by.


    Frankly, they thought that Magnus was one lucky chap. The guy had lived for over two decades, never


    once experiencing romance. And when he finally did, he ended up with the hot babe Natalia. They


    were undeniably envious. Compared to Natalia, the women they knew were meremoners.


    “Indeed,” Natalia affirmed with a smile when James asked. She did not understand why these three


    would suddenly show up at Maplewood Manor, and why Magnus was absent


    She courteously brewed them some tea, inspecting each of them as she did. James, who was always


    trying to strike a conversation with a smile, and Chase, who spoke less, but spoke each word


    profoundly


    And there was also Carter, who was fond of teasing Magnus when they were in France


    She wondered, “Didn’t Magnus say he’d be home by noon when he left this morning? Do their arrivals


    have anything to do with Magnus early return?”


    Yet, the three men in front of her seemed oblivious to Natalia’s confusion, especially James, who kept


    gazing at Natalia with his bright puppy eyes, smiling all the way


    Then he said, “Oh, Magnus is indeed a lucky man. Not only are you beautiful, but you’re also


    considerate.”


    Changing his tone, James proposed with a grin, “Natalia, why not ditch Magnus and leave with me?


    Magnus is so cold, he surely can’t be as romantic asi


    am.”


    But as soon as James spoke, Chase, who was sitting next to him, elbowed him in the stomach.


    “Ouch…” James immediately clutched his stomach,


    wailing in pain.


    Carter, always good–natured, couldn’t help but chuckle. “You sure have guts, James. Isn’t this like the


    hundredth time you’ve tried to steal Natalia? Aren’t you afraid Magnus would punish you?”


    Though Natalia hadn’t been with Magnus for long, his jealous reputation had already spread.


    “He must have a death wish to dare to poke the bear, Chasemented, his words as concise as


    always.


    Just as Natalia was enjoying the lively banter, Magnus, who had just left thepany, hurried back to


    Maplewood Manor. He took one look at the three men lounging on the couch, especially at James, who


    was grinning from ear to ear. With a frown, he said. “You guys sure got here fast!” Usually, they would


    hang out at the Golden Groove, but today, they hade to his ce.


    He then wheeled over to Natalia, reaching out to cup her face. “Don’t hang out with these beasts!”


    “Wha ?”


    “You.” The three men gasped. This guy was showing off his affection right in front of them and even


    called them beasts!


    Magnus then cast James a chilling nce before saying. “There’s a tough training camp in the desert. I


    can send you there to toughen up.”


    James immediately protested, “Magnus, you… fine, I won’t say anything anymore. Natalia, you have to


    help me!” Seeing his pitiful face, Natalia couldn’t help but chuckle


    Magnus smiled faintly at Natalia’sughter. Carter and Chase also burst intoughter Only Magnus


    could handle the unruly James.


    Before he came back from thepany, Chase had told him that they nned to gather at Maplewood


    Manor He didn’t expect them toe so soort Knowing they were worried because of Lucius


    assassination attempt, he didn’t refuse theirpany


    Compared to his blood–rted brother Lucius, who was constantly plotting against him, Carter, Chase,


    and James were the real brothers on whom he could always rely


    “I assure you, I have the utmost respect for Natalia. I promise I won’t do it again!”


    James certainly knew what the desert training was like. He was skilled, but being in a desert with no


    women, licking blood off knife des every day just for training, was worse than death to him.


    Natalia was still a bit uneasy around Magnus because of yesterday’s events. She didn’t dare meet his


    gaze and kept her head down.


    Natalia might have said that, but she couldn’t help but wonder why Magnus seemed to care so much


    for her in front of everyone when he didn’t even like


    her


    Magnus, noticing Natalia’s mood, knew she was still upset about what happenedst night. He reached


    out and gently held her hand, his voice deep and maic. “Have you eaten yet, baby? Don’t wait for


    me if you’re hungry”


    Ever since Kyler and his daughter visited the Andersen Corporation that morning, Magnus couldn’t help


    but feel a pang in his heart whenever he thought about the hardships Natalia faced living with the


    rkson family.


    In many ways, their fates were simr Both were rejected by their blood rtives, with parents who


    didn’t care for them Even he was the respected son of the Andersen family, he, and Natalia, who had


    grown up under the care of others, weren’t so different after all. And so, it broke Magnus heart to see


    someone so kind and innocent be so distressed


    “Ah, they say, ‘bros before hoes: Magnus. But it seems like the phrase was tailor–made for you The


    three of them were sitting here, and when Magnus came back, he only engaged in conversation with


    Natalia,pletely ignoring them James was both amused and hurt After all, their bond of brotherhood


    spanned over two decades, yet it seemed insignificantpared to the few months the young beauty


    Natalia spent with Magnus. This truth was a bitter pill to swallow


    However, James‘ints only earned him a dismissive sideways nce from Magnus. T’m happy.


    What’s it to you?”


    “Alright, alright, as long as you’re happy.” Seeing Magnus‘ stormy expression, Janes didn’t dare to


    proyoke him further. He joked lightly before beating a hasty retreat.


    Magnus didn’t earn his reputation as a jealous husband for nothing. It was better not to push his


    buttons, lest he got caught in the crossfire.


    By the time Magnus got back, it was already noon. So, shortly after his return, the servants brought out


    the prepared lunch to the table.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.