Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 125: Natalie Vaughn Goes Out Late at Night
Besides Felix Langdon trying to suppress the media coverage, Julian Sutton also had someone keeping the photos under wraps. The Sutton Family’s eldest son’s smooth sailing in the entertainment industry was heavily tied to his family connections.
Natalie Vaughn was unaware of this matter. She had just discussed with Director Gable about condensing her scenes for filming. Director Gable, being straightforward, agreed, saying apart from the co-actors’ schedules, everything would be tightly arranged as much as possible.
However, the intense harness work was tough on Natalie Vaughn. At ten o’clock at night, after finishing the last scene, Natalie returned to the hotel, freshened up, and slipped out after receiving a phone call.
Jay Sterling said he had acquired a motorcycle.
Upon reaching the agreed meeting point, Jay Sterling was leaning against his car door with his eyes closed, but he opened them and stood up as soon as he heard a sound.
"Nina, this!"
Natalie got out of the car and immediately saw a silver motorcycle next to her.
Jay Sterling suddenly became energetic and began introducing the motorcycle to Natalie. After a long explanation, Natalie only remembered one thing.
To a professional, this motorcycle was a luxury and an extremely rare find. And she, a total novice, an outsider, was using it to practice, which seemed a bit extravagant.
Natalie was not one to squander money. She could accept using such a bike for practice, but it wasn’t indispensable.
So she asked.
"If you think it’s a waste, then why did you get me this bike?"
Jay immediately retorted.
"Nina, I don’t think it’s a waste! Mr. Thorne always goes for this caliber, and if you’re using it, you naturally deserve the best."
Besides, a million US Dollars is really a lot of money.
Natalie raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with Jay’s reasoning. Not for any other reason, but this sentence equated her with Zane Thorne.
"Oh, right, sis."
Jay pulled out a card and handed it to her.
"This is the remaining money."
Natalie glanced at it but didn’t take it.
"You keep it."
Jay’s outstretched hand trembled slightly. The money inside was more than enough to buy another bike.
"Nina, I can’t accept this."
Natalie was already sitting on the motorcycle, mimicking Zane Thorne’s driving posture, bending low. Unlike being a passenger, this position, combined with the lowered perspective, gave her a feeling of losing control.
It required a big enough heart to continue learning, and fortunately, Natalie wasn’t short of courage.
Natalie got up, swung her long leg over, and sat sideways on the bike.
"Just take it as a tuition fee from me; don’t think much of it."
Jay: ...
Such high tuition has to be the first in the industry. Jay, knowing Natalie well, took the card back. He wouldn’t touch this money.
"By the way, Nina, how did you come here alone?"
Jay frowned. It was close to midnight, and aside from the danger of a girl being out alone, Natalie had an additional layer of identity now.
"I don’t want anyone else to know about this."
Jay scratched his head.
"So how did you shake off the bodyguards Mr. Thorne assigned to you?"
Since that night in the club lobby where Natalie fought with the bodyguards to save someone, Zane had Genevieve Joyce assign a team of bodyguards to Natalie. She initially resisted, as she had always been annoyed by bodyguards since childhood, and the Vaughn Family left her be.
But Zane insisted and even issued an ultimatum.
"Either have bodyguards follow you, or I’ll forcibly take you back."
And that’s how Natalie was ’threatened.’
Having bodyguards was both a boon and a bane for Natalie. The boon was that in situations requiring a fight, she could now be lazy and let the bodyguards handle it. The bane was, as in now, she had to elude them to learn motorcycle riding.
After all, she didn’t want Zane to know for now.
Natalie didn’t want to explain. After all, sneaking out in low-profile clothes with a cap on wasn’t something to brag about.
"Don’t worry about it. When does training start?"
"I can do it at this time every day. Nina, the training venue is just ahead; want to check it out?"
Natalie nodded, adjusted her cap, and followed Jay.
By the time she returned to the hotel, it was past midnight.
Summer Churchill was pacing anxiously outside Natalie’s hotel room, like an ant on a hot pan, having walked back and forth dozens of times. She had only gone back to her room to freshen up, so where on earth had Natalie disappeared to? Knocking on the door yielded no response, and phone calls went unanswered.
"Ms. Chandler, what do we do?"
Zoe Chandler was also at a loss, thinking that perhaps Natalie was once again tempted by the nearby food street’s skewers. After all, when Zane was here a few days ago, Natalie hadn’t had a chance to indulge.
But for buying skewers, there’s no need for her to go personally.
Jim Archer, on the other hand, was much calmer than the other two. Having been by James Vaughn’s side for almost four years, from an assistant to his current position, he had handled many things concerning Natalie.
Buying properties and vehicles aside, Jim helped with many of Natalie’s day-to-day and educational needs.
So he had a good sense of Natalie’s personality.
"Don’t worry, the Miss will be back soon."
No sooner after he spoke, the elevator doors opened, and Natalie emerged with a skewer in her mouth, carrying a bucket of skewers.
Zoe and Summer simultaneously sighed in relief, while Jim frowned in suspicion upon seeing Natalie’s attire.
Did she need to wear a black hoodie and cargo pants, and even motorcycle boots, just to go down the street for some skewers?
Natalie looked at them suspiciously.
"What are you three doing outside my room?"
Summer hesitated, looking at the skewers in Natalie’s hands but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Despite her relief, she mumbled softly.
"Nina, if you wanted skewers, you could have told me. I would have gone for you."
Natalie turned to Zoe, who adjusted her decorative black-rimmed glasses.
"You should be more restrained at night."
Natalie raised an eyebrow and handed the skewer bucket to Summer.
"Summer, they’re for you. You’re too skinny, you should eat more."
"Huh?"
Seeing Jim looking like he wanted to say something, Natalie dismissed Summer and Zoe.
"Go ahead, what do you want to ask?"
"Miss, you didn’t just go out for skewers, did you?"
The timing didn’t add up at all.
Natalie looked at Jim with a smile.
"Want to know what I did?"
Jim nodded.
"It’s a secret."
Jim: ...
"My brother is busy with work; let’s not worry him with my matters."
Jim: ...
"Understood?"
"Miss, your safety..."
Natalie waved him off.
"I’m not a three-year-old, plus you know my level in karate, right? Alright, it’s late. You go rest; remember what I said."
With that, Natalie returned to her room and shut the door without hesitation, leaving Jim outside, feeling conflicted.
Meanwhile, Zane Thorne, just back from an appointment at Rivermark Apartments, found himself looking at the photo sent by Felix Langdon after his shower.
His face instantly turned grim, and he dialed a number.
