Chapter 137
“Natalie...” His fingers gently tilted her chin up, his brows furrowed in concern.
“Brian!” Just then, a voice laced with sobs pierced through the silence from outside the front door. “Brian, are
you there?! Can you cout, please?”
“The Coast Guard has news about Robert!”
The mention of Robert paralyzed both Natalie and Brian who were seated on the couch.
Brian quickly let go of Natalie and stood up, hastily throwing on his clothes.
Natalie grabbed a throw blanket nearby to cover herself, her gaze flitting between Brian's retreating figure and
the direction of the door.
Outside was Madelyn.
Natalie had just assumed Madelyn was upstairs, sleeping soundly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
The commotion had also roused Sadie, the maid who quickly got dressed. Upon seeing Brian standing in the
living room, she jumped in surprise. Fumbling for the light switch, she blurted out, “Mr. Howard, where have you
been? Why didn’t you...”
Her words trailed off as she caught sight of Natalie sitting on the couch. Their eyes locked, and the unfinished
sentence hung in the air.
Natalie, snugly wrapped in the blanket, managed a weak smile at Sadie and softly called out, “Sadie.”
Sadie stood dumbfounded for a moment before nodding and respectfully replying, “Miss.”
“The Coast Guard just called me, Brian...” Madelyn’s voice continued from outside, now tinged with the signs of
a breakdown.
Brian, buttoning up his shirt, cast a complex glance at Natalie.
Their eyes met briefly before Natalie looked away, focusing her attention elsewhere.
“Take her upstairs to rest,” Brian instructed Sadie in a low voice, after a few seconds of thought, having slipped
on his clothes.
Natalie didn’t feel like she belonged here. The moment Brian was out of sight, she planned to slip away. This
place just wasn't for her.
She remained silent. Brian, having reached the door and not hearing a response, hesitated, then turned back to
look at Natalie.
“Choose between Michael's arm and staying at Majestic Meadows Manor,” he said. Without waiting for an
answer, he strode out the door.
Natalie couldn't help but frown. Clearly, this was not a choice but a coercion to stay.
Chapter 137
Sadie glanced outside and then turned to Natalie, adjusting the blanket around her more securely.
Sadie didn’t understand why Brian had suddenly brought Natalie home, but since she was back, she would be
looked after as before.
Leading Natalie to Brian's room, Sadie pulled a fresh bathrobe from the wardrobe and handed it to her, her eyes
lingering on the red mark on Natalie's arm from where Brian had gripped her. “Mr. Howard had a bit too much to
drink tonight. He's not himself,” Sadie whispered.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Considering what Davis had said earlier, it was no wonder Brian was emotionally volatile.
Head bowed, Natalie said nothing.
“You'll have to make do with Mr. Howard's clothes for tonight. I'll ask Reid to bring sof yours tomorrow.”
Sadie added softly.
“Okay.” Natalie nodded. She still remembered the day of the incident when the entire Howard family had turned
their backs on her, except for Sadie, who had wrapped her in a blanket and shielded her. After taking her to her
room, Sadie handed her a cup of milk.
She would never forget Sadie’s kindness for as long as she lived.
“The bathwater is ready. I'll leave you to it,” Sadie said, giving Natalie another look.
As Sadie moved to leave, Natalie hesitated, then suddenly called out, “Sadie. Can | ask your something?”
Sadie paused and turned around, giving Natalie a silent nod of permission.
“Tonight, did someone cover and say something to Brian?” Natalie asked after a moment
of pause.