Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 171: Zane Thorne with Glasses Is All Scoundrel, No Gentleman
Felix Langdon now understands that if he wants to ask Natalie Vaughn for something, it’s quite simple. He just needs to make a deal with her.
Previously, he used the name Gideon Sheffield to get Natalie Vaughn to join the filming group. Now, it seems not much has changed, everything still involves Zane Thorne.
He was somewhat surprised, though — it’s only been half a month, and Natalie Vaughn already knows about Zane Thorne’s injury on his left wrist.
"Sis-in-law, how did you know Mr. Thorne hurt his wrist?"
"I asked him."
Felix Langdon was even more confused.
"Then why did you ask me...?"
"Oh, I just asked about the wrist injury and didn’t pursue further because I was afraid of asking something I shouldn’t."
Felix Langdon: ....
But why does he feel like he’s experiencing PDA overload?
Felix Langdon pondered for a while, unsure whether to tell Natalie Vaughn. But recalling Zane Thorne’s previous attitude, he seemed to let Natalie Vaughn investigate the past.
"Do you remember Gideon Sheffield?"
Upon hearing the name, Natalie Vaughn subconsciously clenched her phone, the smile on her lips falling, her voice tense.
"I remember."
"Back then, Mr. Thorne injured his hand saving him."
"Was... there an accident?"
"You could say that, sis-in-law. Mr. Thorne has always felt guilty about it."
What kind of incident would leave such guilt that even a hand injury couldn’t alleviate it? Natalie Vaughn’s mind is a mess now; various bits of information she’s found are rushing around her head.
Gideon Sheffield had a severe accident during a competition, resulting in double leg amputation. He was supposed to retire and never compete again, leading to Zane Thorne’s retirement... Now knowing Zane Thorne’s hand injury was from saving Gideon Sheffield...
"What was the cause of his accident during the competition back then?"
Upon asking this, Natalie Vaughn’s heart was on edge, fearing it was due to a car malfunction.
"The venue wasn’t fully cleared; someone broke into the raceway."
"So....."
"Yes, to avoid hitting someone, Gideon Sheffield crashed into the other side. Although he saved his life, his legs were critically injured, leading to amputation for survival."
After hearing this, Natalie Vaughn didn’t know whether to feel relieved or more troubled. Phoebe Quinn had found that someone on Gideon Sheffield’s team had left, and his modification team was established by Zane Thorne... She thought equipment malfunction caused the accident.
Now, hearing Felix Langdon’s version, it was not the case.
Why has Zane Thorne felt guilty for so many years?
Natalie Vaughn’s silence led Felix Langdon to sigh.
"To be honest, I didn’t know the reason for years, but sis-in-law, I haven’t seen Mr. Thorne so happy in a long time. You two must be happy together."
Hanging up the phone, Natalie Vaughn’s mood turned somber. The staff came to urge her; Natalie Vaughn handed her phone to Zoe Chandler, suddenly pausing.
What did Felix Langdon just say?
If he just found out, does it mean the truth is harsh enough for him, an outsider, to feel uncomfortable?
...
The social media topic, due to Natalie Vaughn’s post, shifted focus from Theodore Langdon to Natalie Vaughn. Many are investigating her background, but no one can definitively say anything; even alumni aware of her identity are silenced.
Behind Natalie Vaughn is The Vaughn Group, The Thorne Group, and GN Group.
No one dares or wishes to oppose these prominent families.
Not uncovering Natalie Vaughn’s identity gained her new fans eager to speculate.
"Is she the rumored heiress playing in acting?"
"Her husband’s legs look so long, and his aura is impeccable! Is this the legendary domineering CEO?"
"What to do, I feel weak just looking at such a blurry photo!"
"Sister, you’re too beautiful — what kind of man can match you!"
"Sister’s so bossy, I love it!"
"..."
A wave of Theodore Langdon’s fans also came to thank her under Natalie Vaughn’s post, praising her profusely.
Natalie Vaughn saw this only after finishing late due to small errors, distracted by thoughts of Zane Thorne.
After picking some comments to reply, she called Zane Thorne via video.
Zane Thorne was still in the office, listening to a report, planned to dismiss them upon Natalie Vaughn’s video invite.
"Why the video call so early today?"
"Missed you."
Men love hearing sweet words from their wives, and Zane Thorne was no exception.
"So sweet?"
When Zane turned to look at her, Natalie Vaughn noticed he was wearing glasses.
"Why are you suddenly wearing glasses?"
He casually took off his glasses.
"For anti-fatigue."
Zane Thorne with glasses doesn’t downplay his rebellious aura; he’s not an elegant scoundrel, elegance and Zane Thorne don’t match, but scoundrel fits a bit.
"Try them on again?"
Zane Thorne like this seemed intriguing.
He raised an eyebrow, needing some incentive.
"Honey~"
For Natalie Vaughn, acting cute was effortless, and Zane Thorne fell for it. As soon as she spoke up, he regained his glasses.
Natalie Vaughn wondered why Shannon Rhodes, Yvonne Blackwood, and Serena Blackwood couldn’t win Zane Thorne over — could they not even act cute like this?
"Honey, you’re so handsome!"
Romantic words were the ultimate weapon; Zane Thorne visibly relaxed, his joy perceptible even through the screen.
"Why so agreeable today?"
Natalie Vaughn feigned innocence.
"Am I not usually agreeable?"
Zane Thorne snorted, disagreeing with her notion. Natalie Vaughn’s idea of agreeable was leaving him in the cold.
Noticing the roses in the vase, Zane Thorne discreetly asked.
"Aside from roses, what else do you like?"
Natalie Vaughn rolled over on the bed.
"Are you fishing for information? It’s not how you woo someone directly asking them!"
Zane Thorne nodded, softened by her antics; she’s merely 24, still a young girl.
"Is Miss Vaughn hard to woo?"
"Shouldn’t my credentials make me a tough catch?"
Zane Thorne, amused, pinched her nose through the screen.
"You’re quite proud. We’re already penned together, can’t you give me a shortcut?"
"No."
"What about for our marriage?"
Natalie Vaughn: ...
