CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: NATALIE VAUGHN ASKS DAMIAN QUINN ABOUT THE PAST

Natalie Vaughn didn’t know when Zane Thorne would set off; Zane hadn’t mentioned anything, and Natalie hadn’t asked. Their relationship hadn’t reached the level where they’d share itineraries.

As for why Zane mentioned it casually...

Natalie thought it was probably because he didn’t want to be mistaken as fleeing the scene at the last moment.

Phoebe Quinn always worked quickly, and within a few days, she had successfully arranged to meet with Damian Quinn. However, when they arrived at the appointed café, they found themselves a bit embarrassed by the scene.

Damian was on a blind date.

Phoebe, her face flushed, led Natalie to another table as they waited for Damian’s date to conclude.

Natalie found the situation amusing.

"You didn’t know your brother was on a blind date?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"The company has been so busy lately, how would I know about this?"

Most likely, the last time Damian went home, he discussed this matter. Meanwhile, familial duties fell onto Phoebe, and there was no escaping the arranged marriage.

Natalie amusedly watched the two by the window; though she couldn’t see the woman’s face clearly, her silhouette seemed somewhat familiar.

"Which family is the girl from?"

"Should be The Blackwood Family, it’s Yvonne Blackwood."

The Blackwood Family, considered a prestigious family in Astra City, had seen better days in recent years, so it was no wonder they’d consider an alliance with the Quinn Family.

Natalie was quite interested in this blind date, especially since both sets of parents were present when she and Zane met for theirs. She was curious about how the pair would react without the elders present.

The café wasn’t crowded, and Phoebe and Natalie chose a relatively secluded yet near Damian’s table, so they could hear most of the conversation.

"Miss Blackwood, let’s speak openly. I’m just a humble detective; you know, I fell out with my family ten years ago."

"The family business is still run by my dad, and it’ll be passed to my little sister afterward, so I have no part of it."

"Marrying me brings no benefit to your Blackwood Family; my meager salary won’t even afford you a handbag."

"I’m too lazy to argue with my family anymore. If they force me to marry, so be it, but you’re different."

"You’re the only child in your family, running such a big company as a woman is tough; you need someone to help you."

"I advise against setting your sights on me, find someone else sooner."

"..."

Damian was truly ruthless, speaking without mercy and showing Yvonne Blackwood no dignity.

Phoebe and Natalie, just from listening, felt it was a bit harsh, let alone the person involved?

Yvonne Blackwood abruptly stood from her chair, flung her coffee toward Damian’s face, but he reacted swiftly and dodged it cleanly, avoiding even a drop.

"How did the Quinn Family raise such an irresponsible person."

Damian raised an eyebrow, his lips curled in a brazen smile, though his eyes were devoid of amusement, brushing his collar.

"Miss Blackwood is well-bred; coffee is meant for sipping, not throwing."

Yvonne Blackwood: ...

This blind date couldn’t continue any longer.

Yvonne grabbed her purse and left in heels, allowing Natalie to finally see her face.

Oh, wasn’t she the woman from the shooting club who seemed interested in Zane?

Natalie raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile at her lips.

So, a strong woman also had to bow to family pressure, giving up the person she liked for a blind date.

Natalie clicked her tongue, suddenly imagining a possibility.

If Natalie hadn’t gone on that blind date with Zane, would Yvonne have tried to convince her family to discuss a marriage alliance with the Thorne Family?

Perhaps Natalie’s gaze was too intense, causing Yvonne, who had straightened her back, ready to leave, to pause and look back.

That look stopped her.

She recognized Natalie. The recent buzz about Vaughn Family’s arranged marriage with the Thorne Family had spread widely, and only then did Yvonne realize the girl from the shooting club was the one from the Vaughn Family.

Yvonne naturally didn’t have a favorable opinion of Natalie, glaring at her. Upon spotting Phoebe beside her, the disdain in her eyes was evident.

She’d lost Zane, and now, with Damian’s date, Natalie had come to laugh at her?

Phoebe noticed the tension between the two and asked.

"You know her?"

Natalie shook her head, her lips curling into a bold smile.

"Miss Blackwood seems to be a fan of Zane Thorne."

Phoebe suddenly understood; was this what they called enemies meeting?

Yvonne turned her frosty face away and left. Once she was gone, Damian came over and sat down.

"The show’s over, spill it, what do you want?"

Damian reached out for the drink in front of Phoebe, gulping it down in no time.

Phoebe rolled her eyes, helpless in the face of her older brother’s somewhat boorish behavior.

"This is Nina; she used to play at our house when she was little."

Damian snorted.

"I know."

He said with an air of nonchalance as he looked at Natalie.

"What do you want to ask?"

Evidently, Damian had guessed Natalie’s intention.

Natalie didn’t beat around the bush, asking the question on her mind directly.

"Do you know Zane Thorne?"

Damian casually snatched Phoebe’s new drink, biting the straw, nodding lazily.

"Then do you know why he retired five years ago?"

Hearing this, Phoebe sat up straight, looking at Damian with curiosity and seriousness.

Would her brother know about God Thorne?

Damian’s cheeks hollowed from sucking the drink in, and he found Natalie’s question amusing, laughing out loud.

"How would I know anything about his business?"

Natalie furrowed her brows, fingers resting against her chin in thought for a moment.

"So who was the person you mentioned that day?"

Damian squinted his eyes and smiled, finishing yet another drink.

"Why not go directly to him if you’re so curious? You’re his fiancée, at least ask his close buddies; I’m a nobody."

Not even considered a friend.

Natalie realized now that Damian seemed approachable but only said things that were irrelevant.

"Can’t tell?"

Damian tapped his fingers on the glass.

"Can’t tell."

As a good cop serving the people, he had to protect the privacy of the victim.

Natalie tightened her lips, knowing she couldn’t pry anything from Damian.

"Could you at least tell me if it’s a man or a woman?"

Damian laughed.

"Rest assured, not your romantic rival; unless Zane has a different orientation, forget I said anything."

Natalie: ...

Phoebe: ...

Considering how Zane exuded charm even during a kiss, there’s no doubt about his orientation.

Knowing it was a man gave Natalie some relief.

If it were a woman, it would be troublesome; the entanglements between men and women were the most complicated and challenging. What she abhorred was dealing with issues of exes.

Once they’d discussed everything they needed to, the trio didn’t linger in the café. Phoebe took the rare opportunity of Damian’s free time to insist on having a meal together, so they chose a nearby restaurant in the mall.

As they were about to head over, chaos erupted ahead.

"There’s a thief, quick, help catch him!."

A man clutching a purse and holding a knife dashed forward.

Damian relaxed his shoulders, ready to act, when Natalie stepped aside and kicked, knocking the man to the ground.

With the knife still in hand, Damian quickly approached and pinned the man down, grabbing his wrist while Natalie maneuvered and kicked the knife away.

The man, in pain, lifted his head and upon seeing Natalie’s face, froze momentarily before his eyes blazed red with fury and malice.