Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 128: Madam, I Was Out of Line

After much pleading and threatening from Natalie Vaughn, James Vaughn finally agreed to tell the family that she would be staying in Veridia for her birthday.

However, before ending the video call, James asked one more question.

"What about Zane Thorne?"

It’s your birthday, so what about Zane Thorne?

James was well aware of how busy Zane Thorne had been lately. He had even been at the same event as Zane. Like Natalie, it was the first time he saw Zane in a suit. James felt that rather than restricting Zane, the suit enhanced his untamable wildness.

With such an aura, he was one of a kind in the entire circle.

James also heard that besides managing GN Group’s affairs, Director Thorne was gradually giving Zane more power, making him extremely busy.

Upon hearing this, Natalie furrowed her brows slightly and then quickly masked her disappointment with a forced smile.

"Brother, I’m not a child anymore. Do I really need so many people around for a birthday?"

For Natalie, every birthday was surrounded by people, even if not deliberately planned. She was the true princess, pampered by the Vaughn Family to the extent that many in the circle were willing to indulge her.

James’s eyebrows shifted slightly.

"But after all, this is your first birthday after getting married."

If Zane didn’t accompany her, it would be too much; it would suggest he didn’t care about Natalie or the Vaughn Family.

Natalie did not respond.

What could she say? Since the day they argued, she had blocked Zane on WeChat, and they hadn’t been in contact since.

Birthday... does Zane even know when her birthday is?

Seeing Natalie like this, James understood and, after pondering for a moment, asked.

"Did you guys have a fight?"

Natalie huffed, refusing to answer.

"Want to talk about it?"

Recently, Phoebe Quinn had been busy with her project, trying to get a connection with GN Group, so she was too busy to chat, making Natalie feel a bit down these days.

So after hesitating for a moment, Natalie spoke up.

After hearing everything, James nodded.

"So, for all these years, Mom, Dad, and I wanted to arrange a bodyguard for you, but you used all your wits to refuse. Now that Zane arranges one, you just accept it?"

Natalie: ...

Wasn’t he supposed to help resolve her emotional issues? Why was her brother focusing on this? Alright, she was really foolish to think she could find a solution from James.

Suddenly, the eldest daughter of the Vaughn Family hung up the video call in frustration.

James: ...

This ungrateful sister! All these years of pampering for nothing! Yet, thinking again, Zane is truly capable, having managed to tame Natalie’s rebellious nature.

Honestly, just arranging a bodyguard was enough to prevent James from being truly angry with Zane.

Besides, what couple doesn’t have small tiffs? A little quarrel here and there shouldn’t deepen their bond. He thought as he called Tanya Donovan, who was far away abroad.

Why did she go to Kensingport for the fashion show, and he, her husband, knew nothing about it?!

After the call ended, Natalie felt a moment of melancholy. Today, the actor she was supposed to perform with had some issues and couldn’t come to the set, so she was quite free. Yet, Jay Sterling was busy beyond belief.

Their team had to go for outdoor training.

Lying in the hotel room felt boring, so Natalie changed into some clothes, planning to practice driving. But then it suddenly started to rain, so she gave up on that idea and instead went into a bar.

On a rainy day, having a little drink didn’t seem like a bad idea.

Natalie chose a relatively secluded spot. Unlike before, she was not as free now, with her Weibo followers exceeding eight million. Although many were from her previous days as a blogger, there were also new ones.

The drama wasn’t finished filming yet, and she didn’t want to cause any trouble.

Just one more month.

Not having a great tolerance for alcohol, Natalie didn’t dare to order anything too strong. Her posture was relaxed, almost nested into the sofa. But even without makeup and sitting in a remote spot, someone recognized her.

"Hanky Panky, also known as the Flip-Flop, created by Coleman for the Victorian and Edwardian-era actor Hortry, became unique by adding Fernet Branca, a bitter Italian liqueur. Miss, you have exquisite taste."

Lazily lifting her eyelids, Natalie looked at the man standing in front of her holding a drink. The dim lighting obscured his face, only revealing his tall, slender build and the glasses he wore, fitting the handsome and proper appearance category.

Recalling his words, Natalie merely raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Oh? Really? I picked it at random; I didn’t realize it had such a name."

Flip-Flop, truly unique.

The man paused, continuing to smile.

"Miss, may I join you at your table?"

Natalie was unimpressed by this gentlemanly yet outdated pickup method, her lashes lowered, not sparing him another glance.

"Not very convenient."

The man clearly hadn’t expected Natalie’s refusal but didn’t feel embarrassed by the rejection. Instead, he chuckled softly.

"Miss, you truly are as unique as I thought when I first saw you."

Natalie bit into a piece of ice, crunching it loudly, only finding this amusing.

Wearing a hoodie with the hood up, how could this person possibly find her unique? Couldn’t he find a more realistic topic for his flirtation?

To others, however, Natalie was indeed unique; she was the only woman wearing a hoodie with the hood up in the bar.

Natalie was already in a sour mood, lacking patience for this lousy flirting, her brows furrowed, just about to reject him when another man suddenly appeared, pulling the flirt away.

"Carter Chapman, what are you doing?!"

Carter Chapman? Hearing this name, Natalie frowned; it sounded familiar. The light just happened to hit, allowing her to see both men’s faces clearly.

The first was the glasses-wearing, indeed handsome Carter Chapman, and the other...

Natalie narrowed her eyes slightly, letting out a cold laugh.

"Assistant Joyce, what are you doing here?"

Genevieve Joyce immediately released Carter’s hand, bowing slightly.

"Madam, Carter Chapman just returned from abroad. He is a friend of President Thorne’s, so I’m here to host him."

Natalie was taken aback, remembering now; Carter Chapman, she had heard the name from Zane. He was the notable architect with terrible racing skills, yet selected by Zane to teach racing.

The villa designed by him.

Apparently, Joyce hadn’t followed her here.

Hearing what Joyce said, Carter paused momentarily before adjusting his glasses. If you looked closely, you could see his hand trembling.

"Joyce, are you saying this lady is Zane Thorne’s wife?"

Joyce smiled slightly, cruel yet straightforward.

"Yes."

Carter Chapman: ...

Damn.

He had heard that Zane Thorne married a girl six years younger than him and had rushed back from abroad. He hadn’t even returned to Astra City, coming straight to Veridia to see what kind of person Zane had married.

Now Joyce was telling him that the woman he was hitting on was indeed Zane Thorne’s wife?

Carter Chapman wanted nothing but to run away, but Joyce seemed to have anticipated this, blocking his path.

"Weren’t you always clamoring to meet the Madam?"

Carter met Natalie’s questioning eyes, clearly bewildered, yet he detected a hint of amusement, his knees weakening.

"Madam, I apologize for my rudeness."

Genevieve Joyce: ...

Natalie Vaughn: ...

What kind of cliched and outdated eccentricity is this?