Chapter 348
Natalia was transfixed by the news reports. Her mind felt as though it had been struck by lightning. She
stood there, dumbfounded. She didn''t understand what the newscaster was saying, but the phrase
“close to engagement” kept echoing in her head, a haunting refrain that perturbed Natalia''s spirit.
So, Magnus was about to marry William''s sister? Although Natalia rarely visited thepany, she
knew her designs had been imed by a girl named Diana.
Magnus truly believed that Diana designed Mangolia, and would marry the designer without question!
And she thought Magnus had rushed to Rome because he was familiar with her designs. How wrong
she was, huh!
In the photos, Diana had a radiant smile, smooth skin, and a charming demeanor. She was indeed a
stunning beauty. However, why did Natalia feel like a part of her had been torn apart upon hearing this
news? It was so painful she could hardly bear it.
She had been away from him for a year now, and she couldn''t return to his side. It was only normal for
him to ept other women. So why did she feel like she couldn’t go on living?
"What are you up to?" Hector walked in briskly with a newspaper in his hand.
Natalia tried to hide her dejected mood and managed to muster a small smile. "Oh, nothing. Howe
you''re home so early today?"
Hector handed her the newspaper. A flicker of worry passed through his eyes. "I saw everyone in the
square scrambling for newspapers, and when I saw the news about Magnus, I brought it back for you
to see."
Natalia''s heart skipped a beat. She had a good idea of what the newspaper would say.
She looked down at the thin sheet of paper. On the front page, arge headline boldly dered,
[Congrattions on Stitches Fashion''s imminent merger with Andersen Corporation, introducing the
Mangolia brand to the oversea market.] Beneath it was a sea of tiny print detailing the business news
of Magnus'' Andersen Corporation and Stitches Fashion''s uing coboration.
Below this news, in smaller italic print, was a feature story. It vividly described Diana, Stitches Fashion''s
chief designer, winning Magnus'' heart and taking full charge of promoting the Mangolia brand.
Worse, the tabloid used suggestivenguage to sensationalize Magnus and Diana''s rtionship. It
portrayed them as a perfect couple and praised this as a highly suitable business marriage, hinting that
Diana would soon join the Andersen Corporation as a bride.
The words felt like knives stabbing into Natalia''s tender heart. She felt a tingling sensation in her nose
and had to use all her strength to prevent her tears from falling in front of Hector.
Hector sat quietly next to Natalia. Although he felt sorry for her, the thought of Magnus finding someone
new and Natalia never returning to him, turned his worry into sympathy. “Magnus, since you''re out of
the picture, taking care of Nat is no longer your concern.”
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Natalia''s eyes drooped lifelessly. Yes, Magnus must have thought those designs were all Diana''s, but
all this was her own doing. She didn''t want to show up in front of Magnus, so William had no choice but
to let his sister rece her.
Why did her heart hurt so much?
If Magnus really married Diana, as stated in the newspaper, Natalia would probably never be able to
return to him in this lifetime, right?
Natalia silently chuckled at her own thoughts. Right, how could she be so selfish? She had sworn never
to return to Magnus, so who he married or spent the rest of his life with shouldn''t concern her. But her
heart hurt so much. The suffocating feeling threatened to drown her and pull her into an endless abyss.
Hector looked at Natalia, who was on the verge of tears, with sympathy. He gently ced his hand on
her shoulder. "Natalia, if you want to cry, just let it out. My shoulder will always be here for you to lean
on. I know it''s hard for you to see this, but I need you to snap out of it. Forget about Magnus! Start your
own life. I''ll always be by your side."
Natalia could no longer hold back her tears. Her emotions had been on edge ever since Magnus''
arrival, suppressed and stretched to their limit, ready to explode at the slightest trigger. The news in the
newspapers and the videos, coupled with Hector''s words, ignited her negative emotions. She threw
herself onto Hector''s shoulder and began sobbing uncontrobly.
"Hector, am I silly?"
"Why did I choose to leave secretly? Why did I listen to Isabe and make such a harsh vow?"
"Hector, am I really worthless? I thought it would be easy to leave Magnus, but when he suddenly
moved on with another woman, I realized I couldn''t ept it."
"Hector, I''m so useless!"
As he listened to Natalia''s tearfulints, Hector gently patted her back and softlyforted her.
"Natalia, you''ve done nothing wrong. In my eyes, you''re always the most dazzling girl. You''re strong,
independent, kind, and resilient. Everything about you is beautiful and attractive. So promise me, never
belittle yourself again. You''ll never understand how excellent you are. The issue with Magnus and
Diana is his fault. He''s not worth your reminiscence."
"But my heart won''t obey me, Hector. It still aches for Magnus and yearns to be with him. What am I
supposed to do? I deeply regret listening to Isabe and leaving Magnus. But if I didn''t, his poisoning
would''ve be fatal! I left him so Isabe would give me the antidote. I never expected it to hurt this
much..." Tears streamed down Natalia''s cheeks as she unabashedly sobbed in Hector''s arms.
Hector gently patted her back, his voice soothing. "It''s okay, Natalia. In time, you''ll forget about him.
He''s not worth your tears. I know you can''t let go of Magnus, but he''s not worthy of you! Look at what
he''s done over the years. Look at how much he''s hurt you. Natalia, please forget him. Start a new
chapter in your life."
"Hector, I appreciate your feelings for me." Natalia wiped her tears and managed to extricate herself
from Hector''s embrace. "But Hector, you can''t force matters of the heart. My heart is already like Swiss
cheese, riddled with holes. I just don''t have the strength to love anyone else now."