CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: ZANE THORNE: I’M NO SAINT

Natalie Vaughn’s heart was racing, even now she still couldn’t figure out what kind of person Zane Thorne was.

As long as she didn’t go too far, Zane was happy to play along with her. But the moment she crossed the line, Zane had his own ways of making her suffer a little. And somehow, she would be led astray by him without realizing it, her focus shifted.

Now, this kind of man seemed to be starting to actively play with her.

Natalie felt a little flustered, yet a bit expectant.

She was curious about what Zane’s intentions were.

It was just staying overnight, what else could he do? She didn’t think Zane was tasteless enough to do anything beastly during an overnight stay.

Having figured this out, Natalie took a sip of milk, steadied her heartbeat, and curled her lips.

"Congratulations to Mr. Thorne on experiencing laying a futon for the first time."

The man observed as Natalie’s previously panicked look turned calm after some thought, finding it amusing.

He was indeed a bit tired and didn’t want to fuss.

Zane reached out and gently pinched Natalie’s earlobe, which had somehow turned red, and chuckled softly when he heard her let out a startled yelp.

Their flirting, oblivious to others, left the other three with no interest in eating or drinking, and since it was late, they simply said their goodbyes and left.

Phoebe Quinn exaggeratedly raised her eyebrows before leaving.

"Make the most of tonight."

Natalie: ...

Her left cheek was swollen, how was she supposed to make the most of it?

After seeing the three off, Natalie slumped on the couch, closing her eyes slightly to rest. Zane had somehow gone to the kitchen and brought back some water.

"Take your medicine."

Natalie took the water, looked around, and saw the medicine was left at the entrance by Felix Langdon. She looked at Zane with a smile, her voice soft.

"Mr. Thorne, can you help me get the medicine?"

Zane’s eyebrow twitched. He was used to Natalie acting cute to get her way, but he was not accustomed to being called ’Mr. Thorne.’

So the man casually sat across from Natalie, legs spread out, resting his head on his hand, looking at her lazily.

Natalie was really tired, not wanting to move, and her mind was blank. Seeing Zane unwilling, she didn’t say more.

Skipping the medicine wouldn’t be a big deal.

The room fell silent, as the man waiting for Natalie to change her term of address shifted his posture.

Natalie’s phone had broken, so James Vaughn called Zane’s phone.

Upon learning Zane would stay to take care of Natalie, James was silent for a long time.

"Let me speak to Nina."

The man finally got up, handed the phone to Natalie, and somewhat vented by pinching her on the side of the face that wasn’t injured, seemingly concerned about the girl’s stubbornness.

After Natalie spoke a few words with James, she saw Zane had already brought the medicine from the entrance, throwing it on the table.

Natalie glanced up at him, her eyes curving slightly.

On the other end, James was merely scolding her for her carelessness this time.

Natalie understood the severity of the matter; when it came to her safety, James would not indulge her, and she listened seriously to his scolding.

But after the scolding, James couldn’t help but relent.

"Does the wound hurt?"

Natalie teased.

"Didn’t see you so worried when you dragged me to karate practice as a kid?"

"How is that the same?"

Karate practice was within his control, but this time Natalie was kidnapped and truly shed blood.

"Brother~ don’t worry, you know I’m not squeamish, this little injury is nothing."

James knew Natalie wasn’t squeamish, but because she wasn’t, it made her all the more cherished.

"Since Zane is staying with you tonight, tell him if you need anything, he is your future husband, you need to learn to order him around."

Natalie happened to take out the medicine and drank it with the water.

"I know."

"And..."

James paused, apparently having more to say. But after all, Natalie wasn’t a child anymore; he shouldn’t interfere too much. What to do and not do, Natalie knew well in her heart.

So what he said turned into.

"Rest well."

Natalie agreed, cautioning.

"Don’t tell Mom and Dad."

If those two found out, they’d certainly be worried sick.

"I understand, heal up."

After hanging up, Natalie relaxed, leaning her head on the back of the couch, and blinked at Zane.

"Mr. Thorne is really nice."

Zane’s forehead vein twitched, he leaned over, one hand on the couch back, encircling Natalie, and pinched her chin.

With a faint smile.

"I’m not a nice person."

The plain statement was full of dissatisfaction with Natalie’s term of address.

Natalie’s lazy spirit suddenly tightened; the grip under her chin wasn’t heavy, but it held her firmly. She looked up into Zane’s eyes, his restraint gone, dissatisfaction evident.

It’s as if he was saying if she kept being outrageous, there would be consequences.

Natalie pressed her lips together, puzzled by how a man like Zane could care about his age and such a title.

"What do you want me to call you?"

Zane’s thumb moved slightly, caressing Natalie’s soft skin.

He let out a cold hum.

"Figure it out yourself."

Natalie tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Calling him "husband" meant Zane was being too cheeky, calling him "Zane" felt too intimate.

"You should reciprocate, I have a name too."

Natalie paused, her eyes curving slightly.

A less serious answer fit her style better.

"Thorne, don’t you agree?"

Zane’s eyelids twitched, expecting nothing good from this girl’s mouth, but it was at least better than ’Mr. Thorne.’

The man let out a small laugh from his throat, releasing some of his grip, gently stroking Natalie’s chin with his thumb.

"Little Nina."

Mischievous and bold was her, unwilling to suffer losses was her, but knowing when to stop was also her.

This girl was the most interesting person he had met in almost thirty years of life.

Hearing this title, Natalie furrowed her brows.

Little Nina?

Apart from that pervy middle-aged man outside the bar calling her that, no one else did.

She didn’t really like being called that; it always made her feel placed in a relatively weak position. Yet, when Zane called her that, despite feeling disgruntled, it somehow felt fitting.

Natalie pursed her lips, her contradictory emotions made her look at Zane a few more times.

There was a faint smile in the man’s eyes, but this small smile didn’t diminish the controlling aura of a dominant man.

Ironically, this hint of a smile made him seem even more unfathomable.

In her heart, a strange feeling surged.

She licked her lips and asked.

"What did you call me?"

She actually wanted to hear that term again from the man in control of her!

Natalie started to lose sight of herself.

Knowing she didn’t like being controlled, and unwilling to be in a weaker position, yet she still sought to hear Zane call her again, to capture his changing emotions in his eyes.