Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

hapter 39

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When Natasha first moved out at eighteen, Madeline had secretly visited her place. To save money, Natasha

shared an apartment near the university with a friend.

It was crowded and noisy-right by a commercial street. But Madeline was angry at Natasha's defiance, hoping

hardship would force her home. Though it hurt, she stayed out of it.

Natasha, stubborn as ever, never asked for help. By the tMadeline reconsidered, Olivia said Natasha had

moved.

Madeline assumed she’d accepted their money for a better place. Subsequent meetings were either at the Clark

mansion or elsewhere.

This was Madeline's first visit to Natasha’s new hin years. Her first impression upon arriving at Natasha's

place was how tiny the house was.

Accustomed to sprawling estates, the compact space felt stifling for Madeline. Margot’s accusation of favoritism

echoed uncomfortably. The smallest property gifted to Olivia dwarfed this

apartment.

Alexei was out. Natasha let Madeline in and poured her a cup of water. The quiet tension between them was

thick.

Madeline took a breath. “This place is too cramped. Thomas will arrange a new apartment for you.”

“No need for that. | can’t accept it.” Natasha's refusal was flat.

Madeline fumed. “Why not? You're our daughter. A house is nothing—we’d look bad if we shortchanged you.”

Natasha scoffed. “I'm afraid you'll demand it back someday.”

When she’d left the Clarks, they'd claimed everything she took was theirs. They cut her money and had maids

search her bags, banning valuables. They treated her as if she were their enemy.

It had been a gloomy afternoon. Standing before the grand gates, a single suitcase beside her, she'd endured

the humiliation of maids meticulously inspecting her belongings.

Her family, united in outrage, had accused her of ingratitude and spite. Andrew, usually composed, had trembled

with rage.

Andrew snapped, “We've cleaned up your messes for 18 years. What more do you want? Ungrateful! You won't

rest until you've torn this family apart, will you?

“Fine, just go. And never cback. But if you have any spine, repay every cent we spent raising you.”

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At 18, with nothing, debt would've chained Natasha to them. Clutching her suitcase, nails bleeding into her palm,

she stayed calm.

Natasha said flatly, “Letremind you, | didn’t beg to be born. And the law obligates you to supportuntil

adulthood.

“Since middle school, Thomas, Noel, and Olivia got $170k-$300k monthly. I got $300. If you're fine with people

laughing at how little you spent on your daughter, let’s tally it publicly.”

Andrew had been incredulous. “We restricted you because you wasted money. And we gave extras- must you

nitpick?”

‘I never got them,” Natasha's voice stayed steady.

Andrew didn’t believe her. “Fine. Have it your way. Step out that gate, and not a single Clark cent Couches you

again.”

They wouldn't risk the scandal of demanding her repayment, and Andrew hadn't truly wanted the money. The

Clarks dropped it.

Rest assured,” Natasha had said, turning away, “if claiming my basic rights is this hard, | won't covet a single

thing that isn’t mine.”

Natasha drew a clear line. The support she'd received was her legal due, far less than the Clark standard. She

owed them nothing. If necessary, she’d repay equivalent elder care someday.

The Clarks’ wealth was theirs to give; she expected nothing. Getting less before eighteen meant aking more later

would only deepen the debt they’d hold over her.

Natasha walked out clean. From that point on, she never once turned to the Clarks for help.

Natasha never regretted it. At first, she scraped by on part-twages, stretching one bread for two meals and

crying through illness in lonely nights-it had been brutal.

But she’d endured. This tiny apartment Madeline scorned was hers, earned by her bare hands. No one could

reclaim it, point fingers at her, or claim she owed them.

The memories made Madeline shift uncomfortably, and she touched her nose. “Must you hold onto grudges?”

Madeline thought, ‘Weren't those just angry words? Like we'd hound an 18-year-old for pocket change as child

support?”

Yet she remembered-Natasha’s 5% Clark Group shares, given to Olivia. They'd wronged her. Madeline hesitated.

“After you marry Lucas, we'll give you that 5%.”

“Something they got unconditionally at eighteen, | must trade marriage for?” Natasha's voice dripped scorn.

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Chapter 39

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“And the ‘trade marriage’ talk-making us sound like bad guys. You and Lucas grew up together. Marrying him is

what you always wanted before, isn’t it?”

“Didn’t they tell you? Lucas and | broke up.” Natasha challenged.

Madeline waved a dismissive hand. “You young folks can’t keep your cool-making a mountain out of a molehill

over nothing.

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“Natasha!” Madeline's eyes flashed. She took a deep, furious breath, remembering her mission. “I'm here to tell

you-chtomorrow.”

“We're hosting your birthday party and announcing your engagement to Lucas.” She muttered under her breath,

“It's been delayed long enough.”

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