Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 138: The Man Who Came in the Night

Quentin Donovan had indeed been very busy lately. After diligently guiding Natalie Vaughn for two consecutive nights, he had no choice but to leave the night before her birthday.

He booked a flight at midnight just so he could personally wish her a happy birthday the moment it arrived.

Natalie Vaughn was someone who had been adored by thousands since she was young—one more, one less, it made no difference. But she wasn’t spoiled; she could distinctly recognize genuine kindness, and she understood how to cherish it.

After learning about Quentin Donovan’s plans, Natalie Vaughn remained silent for a long time. Just then, Quentin Donovan teased lightly.

"Feeling sorry for me?"

Natalie suddenly realized that although Quentin Donovan had been somewhat loud and carefree since childhood, causing her to mistakenly believe he was irresponsible, he had always treated her very well. He was indeed like half a brother to her. Now, Natalie also suddenly understood why her parents were so fond of Quentin Donovan.

It’s not that Quentin Donovan’s personality was particularly likable to the elders; in fact, this personality was rather troubling to the Donovan couple. The Vaughn couple liked Quentin Donovan simply because he genuinely cared for Natalie. Otherwise, James Vaughn wouldn’t always allow Quentin Donovan to come to the Vaughn Family’s home.

What parent doesn’t want another brother to spoil their daughter?

Natalie suddenly felt she had been quite unreasonable, as her attitude toward Quentin Donovan had never been particularly kind due to some of her own biases.

If someone treated her like that, she would have ignored them long ago, but Quentin Donovan didn’t; he treated her well as always.

"Quentin..."

Natalie suddenly choked up.

She always called Quentin Donovan by his full name; he really didn’t like another nickname.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

Sensing the change in Natalie’s tone, Quentin Donovan dropped his carefree demeanor, and his smile faded slightly.

"What’s up? Why... are you suddenly thanking me?"

Quentin Donovan was a bit taken aback, as Natalie had never been this polite to him.

"Are you talking about the amethyst? It’s not worth much, you don’t need to thank me for that."

Natalie suddenly punched Quentin Donovan on the shoulder.

"My parents always ask when you’re coming over for dinner again."

Vaughn Family dad and mom had never asked Natalie this; they asked James, and every time Quentin Donovan went to the Vaughn Family, Natalie always seemed unwelcoming.

Quentin Donovan understood.

Was Natalie trying to make amends?

Quentin Donovan was happy, after all, as the sister he had cared about for over twenty years finally acknowledged his kindness. Yet he still felt a bit awkward.

"Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll bring a gift next time and come over for dinner."

After seeing Quentin Donovan off, it was already two in the morning when Natalie returned to the hotel. As usual, she went to her favorite stall. Initially planning to take food back to her hotel, she changed her mind upon seeing a group of people still gathered around the stall enjoying the hustle and bustle. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Ma’am, today I’ll eat here instead of taking it out."

The stall owner was a woman in her forties nearing fifties. In her early years, she spent a lot on medical treatment due to poor health, and after getting out of the hospital, she and her husband simply started a stall business.

"Alright!"

When the stall owner served the hot pot base, she asked enthusiastically.

"Young lady, how come you have time to sit and eat here today? I always say, skewers are best enjoyed at the stall."

Natalie was someone who could easily blend into her surroundings. Although from the outside, she seemed out of place at the stall, as if she wasn’t someone who ate here, she could still strike up a conversation with the stall owner.

She was willing to chat, and dealing with such folks felt lively, which is why the stall owner liked her so much.

"Auntie, today is my birthday."

After speaking, Natalie suddenly blew her nose and silently cursed Zane Thorne. Quentin Donovan knew to rush over and wish her a happy birthday at midnight before leaving, but what about her husband?

The stall owner was a bit surprised.

"Oh, young lady, it’s your birthday today! Happy birthday to you!"

Natalie gave a small smile and nodded in thanks.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Natalie’s outstanding temperament and looks gave her the appearance of a 19 or 20-year-old girl with a delicate face. The stall owner, who noticed her from the first time she came to buy skewers, remembered her even better after a few visits.

A few minutes later, the stall owner returned to Natalie’s table. Besides the skewers she ordered, the owner brought an extra serving of Natalie’s favorite greens.

"Young lady, we’re already making longevity noodles for you. How old are you turning today?"

Natalie paused, staring at the extra veggies for a moment, then remembered why she quite enjoyed eating street food.

It must have been over a decade ago, back when she first got into a fight at school. She snuck out during a lapse in her teacher’s supervision, wandered around a mall, turned off her phone, and ignored everything.

She eventually found herself at a night market. It was already eight or nine at night, and she had spent all her money, only able to look longingly at the various stalls.

Her manners and upbringing prevented her from freeloading without money. At that time, a kind stall owner offered her a pancake.

Unfortunately, she was too hungry then, ate too fast, forgot the taste of the pancake, and couldn’t recall what the stall owner looked like.

Coming back to her senses, Natalie gave the stall owner a sweet smile.

"I’m 24."

"24?"

The stall owner seemed quite surprised, slipping into her hometown dialect.

"You look at most twenty!"

Because of Zane Thorne, Natalie’s frustration lessened quite a bit. Who wouldn’t want to be told they looked young? Although she sometimes felt helpless about her overly gentle face, she mostly liked it.

The youthful look!

Since she needed to act and be responsible toward the crew, Natalie didn’t dare eat too recklessly. Just as she was wondering whether or not to call Summer Churchill over, the stall owner already arrived with the longevity noodles.

"Young lady, you’re not a local, are you?"

Natalie put down the phone she was holding and accepted the noodles with both hands.

"No, I came here for some work."

"Missing home, aren’t you? No friends to celebrate your birthday with here?"

"I do, but it’s too late, and I don’t want to trouble them. I’ll head back after eating."

It was deep into the night, and who starts a birthday celebration at this hour? Usually, she was asleep at this time, celebrating starting from the day and going past midnight.

The stall owner smiled. There were other customers, and she couldn’t keep Natalie company, so she got up to leave, but suddenly, a man appeared in her view.

The man was tall and handsome, with an air of extraordinary charisma, similar to the young woman, like the kind of domineering young master you’d see on TV, but the kind who was already in power.

The stall owner stopped in her tracks.

"Young lady, look, is that your friend over there?"

They may not have much experience, but they were still able to discern. On this small stall, the man could only possibly be here for Natalie.

Following the stall owner’s gaze, Natalie turned around to see Zane Thorne, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on her as he walked toward her gracefully.

The nights in Veridia were colder than in Astra City, but you could see the stars in the sky.

Natalie only felt like Zane Thorne was a deity coming to her under the starlit sky.