Chapter 342


    With a sweat-drenched brow, William followed urgently behind Magnus and James, trying to exin


    himself, "Mr. Andersen, Mr. James, I didn''t mean it that way. You''ve got it all wrong. Please, just hear


    me out..."


    Ignoring his pleas, Magnus and James continued to stride ahead, their faces as cold as stone.


    William was left in a panic after their abrupt departure from the dinner party. He was worried sick about


    his sister, Diana, following Magnus to Melfort. If Magnus discovered his deception, their potential


    partnership would be off the table.


    Desperate, William decided to ring Natalia, hoping she could help him navigate the crisis.


    Meanwhile, Natalia was sitting in her rented courtyard, surrounded by the faint scent of blooming


    magnolias. Staring at the moonlit vegetation, she felt a knot of mncholy in her stomach.


    Magnus was here, wasn''t he? Had he really traveled all the way to Rome just because he saw her


    designs?


    “But Magnus,” she thought, “I''m sorry. I was forced to make a vow to Belle, a heavy one that I couldn''t


    break. I can''t go back with you.”


    And Jonas, she wondered. Had he grown taller in the year she''d been away? Was he behaving


    himself? Did he miss his mommy?


    As Natalia brooded over these thoughts, Hector returned home, carrying a box of delicate pastries and


    two cups of fresh milk. "You haven''t eaten dinner, have you?" He asked gently. "I passed by the bakery


    and picked these up for you on my way back. Take a look and see if you like them."


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Putting her thoughts aside, Natalia sat up and epted the milk Hector offered, thanking him softly.


    Hector ced the box of pastries on the table next to Natalia''s chair and then began to unwrap it. "Silly


    girl, what''s there to thank between us? Don''t you remember how I used to bring you food like this?"


    Natalia took a sip of milk, but it didn''t taste like it did back in the day. Those were the days, she thought.


    The carefree days of youth when they didn''t have to worry about anything and could just be happy.


    Now, everything had changed.


    Hector cut a small piece of matcha cake and handed it to Natalia. "You never eat on time, look at how


    thin you''ve be. You''re all grown up, but you still don''t know how to take care of yourself."


    Natalia took the cake, instinctively wanting to say thanks, but she didn''t want Hector toin. So


    she swallowed her words and took a small bite of the cake instead. The cake was delicious, the


    sweetness and the aroma immediately lifted her spirits. "Mmm, it''s really good," she said with a smile.


    "Of course, who do you think picked it out?" Hector replied. Then, noticing a bit of cream on her lips, he


    reached out to wipe it off.


    Hector''s fingers lingered on Natalia''s skin, savoring the soft, delicate touch. His hand was reluctant to


    leave. Natalia froze, staring at Hector as he stood before her, his face nk, his gaze fixed on her. The


    air between them suddenly became awkward. For a moment, Hector was lost in thought. This was his


    girl, the one he had protected since they were kids. Six years had passed, yet she was still here, as


    beautiful as ever.


    He raised his hand, wanting to touch her skin again.


    The ringtone of Natalia''s phone broke the tense silence. Hector slowly pulled his hand back. "Uh, I, I''ll


    get you some tissues." With that, he hurried away.


    Watching Hector''s retreating figure, Natalia felt a pang of guilt. She knew about his feelings for her, and


    perhaps she shouldn''t have let him move in. She had given him hope, yet she couldn''t promise him


    anything.


    The ringtone kept ringing, and Natalia pushed her thoughts aside to answer. "Hello? Who is this?"


    William''s anxious voice came from the other end, "Natalia, are you at home?"


    Natalia''s heart skipped a beat. She had a feeling that William was calling her for a reason. "Boss,


    what''s up?"


    "Well, could youe over to the banquet? Or should I pick you up?" William asked tentatively.


    "Oh? Why? Is there a problem?" Natalia thought it had something to do with Magnus, but she didn''t


    want to go. "Mr. William, we agreed before that I''m only responsible for the design sketches. I won''t


    participate in any otherpany activities."


    "But," William stopped, feeling awkward. Yes, when he hired Natalia, the only condition was that she


    wouldn''t attend anypany functions. He had agreed without hesitation, but now he felt guilty about


    pressuring her toe.


    With a sigh, William admitted, "I guess you''re right. I''ll figure something out."


    He just wanted Natalia to admit that she designed Mangolia, not Diana. That way, thepany''s future


    would be secure.


    Now that Diana was smitten with Magnus, he was worried that the truth woulde out and ruin


    everything.


    Reluctantly, William hung up. Looking down from his office, he saw Diana attentively walking beside


    Magnus. He knew she had fallen for him.


    By all ounts, a business union should be mutually beneficial. However, as a seasoned veteran of


    the business world, William couldn''t discern even the faintest hint of affection in Magnus'' eyes. When a


    man without a shred of adoration invited a woman, it was nothing but a scheme. And it was a


    dangerous game of moth to a me that he must prevent his sister from ying.


    With that thought, William hurried after Diana. He had to shake some sense into his sister, who was


    obviously head over heels.


    Meanwhile, Natalia''s worries rushed back to her. She stared at her phone, clueless. She didn''t


    understand why William said he would take her to the ballroom.


    Could it really be about Magnus?


    No, it couldn''t be.