CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109: NATALIE VAUGHN WANTS A CAREER

Zane Thorne stared at Natalie Vaughn for a long time, confirming that she was indeed puzzled, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. It seemed that Natalie didn’t remember everything from that drunken night.

He had clearly already given her the answer. If it wasn’t for her, why else would he spend so much time and effort?

But at this moment, the man was up to something mischievous.

"You don’t remember?"

Natalie was taken aback, not quite understanding the meaning behind Zane’s words.

The man rubbed Natalie’s waist rhythmically, in a way that was worth mentioning—after every two gentle rubs, he would press harder. It was satisfying yet not painful.

Several times, Natalie got distracted by his hand on her waist, her mind unable to keep up. She’d almost forget what she wanted to ask if she wasn’t careful. But Natalie managed to catch Zane’s hand and asked.

"Did you learn massage?"

As soon as she said it, Natalie felt it was absurd; this wasn’t what she truly intended to ask.

Zane chuckled.

"Why would I learn massage?"

Exactly, what’s the use of Zane learning massage? If he got hurt, naturally someone would take care of him. He never needed to develop this skill because he didn’t have to serve anyone.

But he did make it feel comfortable, and besides, wasn’t he taking care of her now?

Her thoughts drifted far.

Natalie tried hard not to think about the hand on her waist and finally got to the point.

"When did you tell me?"

"On the wedding day."

Natalie: ...

That day was particularly memorable for Natalie; the joy of the day was offset by the sadness of the night. It was her only time getting drunk in over twenty years of life.

And what upset her more was that she drank not out of happiness, but because she was mad at Zane.

Natalie thought for a while but still couldn’t recall Zane ever telling her the answer.

"I don’t remember, so what’s the answer?"

Zane wouldn’t reveal it again.

Deep down, Natalie already understood.

To others, it might seem like Natalie was leading the pace between them, but Zane was even more adept. Instead, it seemed like Natalie had played herself into a corner, unable to extricate herself.

Natalie didn’t know whether to be happy or angry.

She had wanted to be the hunter, putting all her thoughts into conquering and taming Zane. But she found it impossible to tame someone like him. Now she realized, in this relationship, Zane seemed more like the hunter.

Who was luring whom into addiction?

It was unclear.

Natalie felt complicated; she was the one who fell for him first, and the one who falls first might be more controlled.

Thinking of this, Natalie threw off Zane’s hand, put in a lot of effort to turn around, breaking free from his embrace, even her tousled hair expressing her dissatisfaction.

A woman’s mood could change faster than the weather, even Zane found it hard to decipher.

He reached out, placing his hand on Natalie’s waist again, only to be swatted away by her.

That’s when Zane knew, the little lady was indeed angry.

"What’s the matter?"

Natalie couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

She could see everything, and she felt Zane’s favor towards her. But she just wanted Zane to admit he had also fallen for her.

The more she got to know Zane, the clearer it became; he was too strong. And what about her? Just a young girl who hadn’t even graduated or started a career.

Without his verbal acknowledgment, there seemed to be a lack of security.

But Natalie was so transparent, she didn’t need anyone to remind her—she knew that this sense of security wasn’t something Zane had to give her; she needed to give it to herself.

She was only regretting not planning for her career sooner.

Zane was formidable, and she didn’t want to be ordinary.

Little did Natalie know, nor did Zane, that his identity as the power behind the scenes of GN Group would make Natalie start to seriously plan her career.

With a sigh, Zane turned Natalie around, pinching her nose gently.

"Weren’t you quite smart before?"

Natalie swatted his hand away again.

She said.

"When can I also see you in a suit?"

The topic suddenly shifted, causing Zane’s eyebrows to twitch slightly, as if he thought of something. He held Natalie, gently patting her back.

"Mrs. Thorne is welcome to inspect anytime."

Some things need not be spoken explicitly.

An unspoken understanding seemed to become their mutual tacit agreement.

...

The next day, sparked by Zane’s words, Natalie took the opportunity while he was on the phone to have Summer Churchill bring over a computer. If she wasn’t mistaken, a designer she had met while traveling abroad, Vivian, was going to hold a show in Kensingport and had emailed an invitation to her.

It wasn’t an invitation to the Vaughn Family’s daughter but to Natalie Vaughn.

As it happened, Vivian was a student of the renowned UAL Academy of Arts CSM teacher Bartley, and Bartley was the master who had once invited Natalie to further study at CSM but was declined.

Natalie wasn’t sure if this was fate’s arrangement or a chance given by heaven. If she went to Kensingport to watch the show, she would inevitably meet Bartley again, and then...

Natalie looked down.

The studio plans that had been put on hold due to filming seemed to be about to restart, and Natalie replied to Vivian’s email.

Just then, Zane finished his call and returned, noticing the computer on the bed, his brow furrowing.

"I just wanted to revise my thesis."

After saying this, Natalie closed the laptop and handed it to Zane.

She was getting more adept at directing people.

Zane took it and casually placed it on the table.

"If your waist is hurt, you should rest well."

Natalie’s mind was filled with future plans, this minor injury was just an act to get Zane’s sympathy; she wasn’t really bothered by it.

Besides, Zane’s massage skills were good; after massaging for half the night, the injury on her waist had indeed improved.

"Just a couple more days resting should do."

But the incident with Laura Young had upset Director Gable quite a bit, and Felix Langdon had flown to Veridia, pausing the crew’s filming for half a day.

Zane’s eyebrows moved slightly.

"Genevieve Joyce just called. She mentioned there’s an exhibition match; interested in going?"

"When is it?"

Someone like Natalie couldn’t possibly just lie down quietly.

"The day after tomorrow."

"Then... what role are you going over as?"

"Didn’t you want to see me in a suit?"

Natalie understood.

"But I don’t have clothes."

"Genevieve will prepare something."

Natalie nodded.

"So, will those kids from your club come by?"

"Yes."

Natalie’s eyes shifted slightly. Since the surprise she was preparing for Zane naturally involved cars, aside from Zane, the only people she knew who raced were those kids from his club.

That was good; not only were those kids skilled in racing, but they also knew Zane’s preferences.

Zane asked one more question.

"Why are you asking about them?"

"Oh, I just think they’re quite cute, especially that little boy, Jay Sterling."

Zane’s brows furrowed tightly.

"Already nearing twenty and still a ’little boy’?"

Natalie couldn’t have imagined that a casually concocted reason would cause Jay Sterling so much trouble.

Of course, stuck in intense training deep into the night, Jay wouldn’t understand either.