As this thought crossed her mind, a complex worry flashed in Natalie's eyes.
Eventually, she picked up her phone and called Clyde, who answered promptly.
"It's me," came the man's deep voice on the other end.
"You're with Caleb?" Natalie asked.
"Yes."
"Is there something going on?"
Hearing that Clyde was indeed with Caleb made Natalie's heart race. Although Clyde was her brother, Natalie couldn't help but admit that Clyde was also dangerous after learning about Wexford!
And as for Caleb, he was primarily a shrewd businessman to Natalie. That was why she was worried.
"What are you afraid of?" Clyde seemed to have the ability to look into people's hearts.
That single sentence revealed Natalie's concerns.
"Cly, Caleb—"
"Whatever he does has nothing to do with you."
"Yes, it has nothing to do with me."
Upon hearing Clyde's words, Natalie snapped back to reality. While she had previously complicated things for Caleb, she had done her part to make amends.
So whatever happened now between them should not concern her anymore, right?
After ending the call with Clyde, Natalie felt a bit downcast. As she neared Peach Garden, Bianca called.
"Bia!" Natalie answered.
"Shall we meet tomorrow?"
"Alright."
Things were now different for them in Simeria. They were both free, and they could meet whenever they wanted.
After ending the call with Bianca, Natalie arrived at Peach Garden.
When she exited her vehicle, she noticed Cedric's car parked in the yard.
He was back.
The thought of facing both Cedric and Kayla made Natalie irritable. Every time she faced them, she couldn't control her temper.
-
Walking to the entrance, Natalie felt an uneasy atmosphere. The butler and servants looked at her with serious expressions.
Clearly, her interactions with Cedric had made everyone here uncomfortable. They harbored some resentment towards her.
Ignoring their stares, Natalie entered the house, immediately noticing the thick scent of smoke.
It was Cedric.
He sat on the sofa, smoking. The ashtray in front of him was filled with cigarette butts.
She didn't see Kayla anywhere.
Natalie headed upstairs, showing no intention of consoling Cedric.
Even if he died from frustration, it had nothing to do with her. Her attitude toward Cedric was now as cold as ice.
"Sit down. Let's talk," Cedric finally spoke as Natalie reached the staircase.
She paused. When their eyes met, she saw a hint of pain and struggle in his.
At that moment, a sense of unease washed over Natalie.
"What do you want to talk about?" Her tone remained icy.
Such coldness from Natalie intensified the struggle in Cedric's eyes.
Natalie raised an eyebrow.
"We can speak once you've sorted out your thoughts," she said, impatiently turning to head upstairs.
"She's sick!" Cedric exclaimed.
Natalie halted, her entire demeanor becoming even colder. "I know."
She was aware of the child's illness. Everyone was. Yet, her stance remained unchanged, even with the severity of the child's condition.
She had shown no intention of visiting.
That was her attitude toward the child and, by extension, Cedric.
Natalie's voice deepened as she asked, "Is Kayla's illness real?"
Without a doubt, the moment Cedric mentioned leukemia, Natalie couldn't help but suspect it might be another one of Irwin's schemes.
If there was a plot that could span a decade, Natalie believed in Irwin's terrifying capabilities.
To her, Irwin was perhaps the most formidable man alive.
Given his ruthlessness, what was using a child to him?
"She's sick?" Irwin's voice echoed surprise on the other end of the call, but Natalie remained firm.
"Did you have anything to do with it?"
"No." came the immediate reply from Irwin.
"..."
Was he really not involved in it?
"Nat, you really need to change this habit of yours!"
"It's like being bitten by a snake once and fearing the rope for ten years," she replied, speaking her truth.
Because of Irwin's manipulations in the past, anything happening around her now made her automatically suspect his involvement.
How could Kayla have such a severe illness like leukemia?
Irwin said, "Believe it or not, this has nothing to do with me. All I know is that the child wasn't well."
He had ensured the child received the best care while she had been with him, leaving no room for negligence.
"..."
Was it truly unrelated to Irwin?
If not Irwin, did the child inherently have some issues?
After ending the call with Irwin, Natalie stood in the darkness, lost in thought for what felt like an eternity.
What exactly was leukemia?
She wasn't entirely sure. But one thing she was certain of, whatever the illness... it must be agonizingly painful.
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