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“I'm bringing you out for dinner.” Shane glanced at her stomach out of the corner of his eye.
All at once, Natalie placed a hand over her stomach, and her face turned bright red. “You heard that?”
Her stomach rumbled again a moment ago, but she didn't expect him to catch it.
As Shane maneuvered the steering wheel, displeasure was written all over his face. “Why didn't you eat?”
At that, a wry smile tugged at Natalie's lips. “I hadn't the time.”
Ugh! I'd been bustling about today, what with giving my statement and investigating the matter. The thing is, my
hands were so full that I couldn't even spare the time to eat!
Hearing that, Shane's thin lips drew into a tight line, but he didn't comment further.
In no time, he came to a stop outside a cozy and romantic restaurant. “We're here.”
“Okay.” Natalie unfastened her seat belt and alighted from the car.
Meanwhile, Shane waited for her in front of the car. When she had walked over, he took her hand and made his
way into the restaurant with her.
It was almost ten o'clock when they were done eating and returned to the villa. The children were already in bed
while Jacqueline was still watching television on the sofa.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhen she saw them both coming in, she immediately turned off the television and stood up. “You're home, Shane?”
Standing beside Shane, Natalie said nothing.
Shane, on the other hand, inclined his head a fraction. “Why aren't you in bed yet?”
“I didn't feel like it, and I couldn't sleep either. So, I decided to wait up for you.” Jacqueline righted her wig with a
smile.
In the next moment, Shane yanked at the necktie around his collar.
Upon seeing that, Jacqueline instantly started forward to give him a hand.
Her eyes narrowing, Natalie stepped forward and moved right in front of Shane while looking at Jacqueline with a
fake smile. “I'll do it, Ms. Graham. As his wife, it's more appropriate for me to help with such an intimate task. What
do you think?”
Jacqueline's expression froze before she promptly schooled it and put on a smile once more. “You're right, Ms.
Smith. I apologize for overstepping earlier.”
“It's okay, just keep that in mind next time, Ms. Graham.” After saying that, Natalie turned around to face Shane
and removed his tie.
After doing that, she groused while smoothing the tie out. “I've told you time and again not to simply yank on your
tie, Shane Thompson. As I'm a costume designer, that irritates me, you know?”
At her nagging, a sliver of mirth flittered across Shane's eyes. “Sorry, I'll remember that next time.”
“That's what you say every single time!” Natalie rolled her eyes at him.
As Jacqueline looked on at their intimacy which she had no part in, her gaze darkened a shade. “Um... I'm going to
retire first, Shane, Ms. Smith. Please excuse me.”
“Sure. Do rest earlier.” Shane nodded in acknowledgment.
Jacqueline then left with her eyes lowered.
Subsequently, Natalie yawned. “Let's retire as well.”
“You go ahead.” Shane massaged his temples wearily.
Seeing that, Natalie eyed him dubiously. “What's the matter?”
“I've got a video conference with an overseas client, so I'm going to the study for a bit.”
Natalie nodded in understanding. “Oh, I see. Alright, then. I'll be waiting for you in our room.”
Murmuring an acknowledgment, Shane then headed to the study.
Natalie, on the other hand, went back to the bedroom. After taking a shower, she sprawled out on the bed.
Not feeling drowsy at that moment, she snagged the sketchpad and pencil from the bedside table and started
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmsketching a blueprint.
After sketching a few blueprints, she felt rather thirsty. Putting down the pencil and sketchpad in her hands, she
flipped the covers and slipped out of bed to get herself some water from the coffee table across from the bed.
She got to the coffee table and picked up the jug, only to discover that it was empty.
Having no other choice, she put the jug down and went to get some water downstairs.
The moment she stepped out of the bedroom, she heard the sound of a door swinging open.
The sound came from the end of the corridor where Shane's study was located, so she thought that he was
returning to their room after his meeting.
Thinking that, she turned and gazed down the corridor, only to be greeted by the sight of Jacqueline exiting Shane's
study in a nightgown with spaghetti straps.
Right that instance, her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Ms. Graham!”
Jacqueline hadn't noticed her, so she jolted in fright when she heard her voice out of the blue. Then, she turned to
her.
When she saw the flinty look on Natalie's face, understanding dawned upon her at once. Tucking the loose strands
of the wig behind her ear, she murmured with a faint smile, “You aren't in bed yet at such an hour, Ms. Smith?”
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