Chapter 9
Nathan’s POV
I sat in the living room, swirling the whiskey in the glass in my hand, watching Victoria and Michael converse across from me. In everyone’s eyes, Victoria Parker was the epitome of perfection – beautiful, intelligent, knowledgeable, and kind–hearted – a fact I had to admit. However, I couldn’t muster even the slightest bit of genuine affection for her.
In the past, Elizabeth would always unabashedly proclaim that Victoria and I were a match made in heaven, her blunt words always making me feel awkward. It wasn’t just my mother who thought so; most people held the same view. But for me, it was out of the question.
I didn’t like her, and I ignored her infatuation with me. But when she made advances, I didn’t mind taking advantage of it. Despite my repeated hints that I had no interest in a romantic relationship, she continued to pursue me, hoping I would eventually change my mind.
“Nathan, what do you think about this?” James’s voice brought me back to reality from my thoughts.
I hadn’t been listening to their conversation at all. I just shrugged, too lazy to pretend I had been paying attention.
Michael exaggeratedly yawned, explaining, “They’re talking about Marvel movies again.”
James was with me because he was my personal bodyguard, while Michael was my cousin, specifically my favorite and most normal cousin. We were the same age and had been best friends since we were in diapers.
“My thoughts align perfectly with Michael’s yawn,” I responded blandly, “I don’t care.”
Victoria’s face darkened, her lips pursed, disappointment evident. “When you realize how your actions have repeatedly hurt me, and understand the consequences, I’ll see if I can help in the kitchen,” Victoria said angrily, standing up from the sofa and walking towards the kitchen.
Once she was out of earshot, and we could no longer be heard, James chuckled softly. “Her words definitely have a double meaning.”
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I wasn’t stupid, and I could sense the hidden message in her words, but I was powerless. I wasn’t interested in the topics my friends discussed, and it wasn’t my fault; she let me use her, so she couldn’t blame me.
My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. It was Richard – my father’s message. He would be back soon, and as his son, I needed to handle various affairs, whether it was real estate development, restaurant operations, or nightclub management.
Sometimes I didn’t understand why he made me responsible for these things. But besides being a dutiful son, there was something I had that my brothers didn’t – I didn’t aspire to take over the family business. And that was precisely why he entrusted it to me.
–
Richard had witnessed firsthand how the business could destroy family ties, and he didn’t want that to happen to his sons. So he chose the one person least interested in the family
business.
I glanced at the message but didn’t know how to reply. I knew that when my father
mentioned “all the girls,” he was actually referring to one person – Lily, the girl who was very ill.
I had no idea why Richard was interested in that girl, and I didn’t care. I guessed it was
because she was different, but I had seen my father’s temper, and everyone knew not to
mess with Richard.
I simply replied, “Okay.”
“Do you know who Lily is, right?” I looked up from my phone and asked James.
James immediately nodded. “Yeah, she’s the girl who spilled champagne on Joseph and had a one–night stand with you, right? By the way, she looks like a mess, like a zombie.”
“Yeah, that’s her,” I confirmed, completely disregarding his last sentence.
“Until she recovers, you need to keep a close eye on her,” I instructed, “Follow her wherever she goes, make sure nothing happens to her unexpectedly.”
Michael raised an eyebrow. “Why does Uncle treat her so specially? He always mentions her name frequently in meetings.”
“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know,” I explained in a flat tone, “I just don’t want to
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Chapter 9
anger him.” I looked at James, waiting for his response.
Knowing that Lily had to continue working in her condition, I felt a bit sorry, but I also understood that some people couldn’t afford to lose those tips, especially when there were bills to pay. If I could, I would just write them a check, but I was rational enough to know that doing so might hurt their pride, especially when the money came from me.
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