Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 172: He Held Back Zane Thorne for 5 Years
The way the couple interacted subtly changed. After confirming Zane Thorne’s affection for her, Natalie Vaughn’s proud yet playful nature became even more uninhibited. Zane appreciated this lively demeanor of hers.
He especially liked seeing Natalie Vaughn’s speechless expression after he made certain comments.
Perhaps this is a man’s innate nature, whether in his youth or adulthood.
After hanging up the phone, Zane Thorne sat in the chair and laughed for a long time before calling the club manager. Upon learning they would be in Veridia today, the smile faded from his lips.
No wonder the young lady called so early tonight.
Zane Thorne threw the phone onto the table, crossed his hands under his chin, pondering what Natalie Vaughn and Jay Sterling could be planning.
With Jay Sterling, all he could teach Natalie Vaughn is driving.
Thinking of this, the man narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling Natalie Vaughn’s driving skills were unbearable to witness. Did she suddenly develop a competitive spirit to improve her skills?
Why go to Jay Sterling? Isn’t he here himself? Zane Thorne raised his hand to pinch his brow, feeling a bit of a headache.
Seraphina Sutton knocked on the open door.
"Come in."
"President Thorne, here’s the list of accounts attacking Madam Hate on Weibo today, and several companies are secretly investigating her identity."
Zane Thorne took it and glanced at it.
As someone without any works yet, without appearing publicly and directly joining a film crew, Natalie Vaughn’s popularity was extremely high, attracting attention from other companies.
The entertainment industry hasn’t been doing well for nearly two years, hardly producing any newcomers with substantial buzz or traffic; even if there is buzz, it’s all temporary marketing efforts with money. Natalie Vaughn, however, just got onto trending topics naturally, showcasing her uniqueness.
There are hardly any young actresses in their twenties capable of supporting major productions, and Natalie Vaughn debuted starring in Director Gable’s first TV drama, with a significant third female lead role. It’s said Director Gable praises her highly, and once the drama airs, the ranks of young actresses in the industry will shift.
"Send the lawyer’s letters as usual; these small companies won’t make a ripple."
Seraphina Sutton nodded. Indeed, several entertainment firms are akin to small fry in the face of their large group; President Thorne could invest in the group’s media subsidiaries at any moment. Sunderfall Film City’s project, which other companies couldn’t attain for years, was easily acquired by The Thorne Group.
The disparity in power is vast.
"The lady’s contracts are still with The Langdon Group, arrange some time to sign them over."
Seraphina Sutton paused, having recently received orders to call The Langdon Group to refrain from marketing the lady. The Vaughn Group seemed to intentionally suppress the lady’s popularity clearly indicating not wanting her to develop in the entertainment industry.
Perhaps it’s just for fun, filming a drama.
Curious as she was, Seraphina Sutton agreed nonetheless.
...
A man sat in a wheelchair inside a VIP ward of some hospital in Altara, numbly observing the snowy scene outside the window. A nurse routinely entered to check his health, monitored him taking his medication, and confirmed his condition before leaving.
Throughout, the man didn’t move; he watched children start rolling around in the snow below, engaging in the most primitive yet joyous act of a snowball fight.
In this cold weather, he left the window open, allowing the biting cold wind to whip against his face. The wind-bent branches, snow chunks on the leaves fell down seemingly the entire landscape, tiny snowflakes began to fall onto his hair tips and eyebrows.
Soon, his hair turned white; his eyebrows did too.
As dusk settled, he saw his reflection more clearly in the window; his expression finally shifted.
"Vivi, once I retire, I’ll marry you!"
"Okay, I’ll be waiting for you to marry me!"
"Vivi, this is our marital home, just waiting for the mistress to move in now."
"Let’s connect the balcony in our bedroom? And put a swing outside to watch the stars together at night."
"Vivi, let’s have two kids, okay? The boy like me, and the girl like you, the brother protecting his sister."
"Here, feel it, the brother’s already in my belly."
"..."
"Vivi, don’t leave me."
"Let go of me, do you want me to spend a lifetime with someone whose legs are amputated?"
"Vivi, your belly...what about our child?"
"I aborted it. Stop clinging to me, I’ve already fulfilled my obligation taking care of you for a month!"
"No!"
"..."
The man suddenly laughed lightly, gradually, the laughter grew louder, his shoulders trembled, even the flesh on his cheeks distorted with movement, laughing, until tears flowed unstoppably from the corners of his eyes.
If there hadn’t been the accident, his child would be about this age too. Playing on muddy or snowy grounds with three or five friends. Maybe the kid would have a talent for racing, and under his training, at a young age, he could stand out in various competitions.
His child would undoubtedly be amazing.
But there’s no ’if.’ The car crash happened, he salvaged a broken life, lost his legs, lost his fiancée, lost his child.
He should have died on that night five years ago, but he was saved. Using Zane Thorne’s hand, using Zane Thorne’s career.
Does he hate Zane Thorne? Yes, he does. If not for Zane Thorne, he wouldn’t have attended that competition, wouldn’t have experienced what followed afterward.
Yet, he hates himself more. He detests his momentary lapse of judgment, which he could’ve minimized losses but missed the best solution due to greed. Hates his suicidal impulse that destroyed Zane Thorne’s career.
Was Zane Thorne wrong? They agreed to it, after all. Nobody anticipated what would happen. But he couldn’t move past it.
Seeing Zane Thorne scurrying around for him did bring touch; he knew saving his life was a blessing. He was agonizingly steeped in torment daily, wrecked himself sick. When sick, he wished everyone would die, especially Zane Thorne.
Only sane moments, did his conscience surface.
Over these years, Zane Thorne had done plenty; his life was stagnant, while Zane Thorne still had a future. So, when Zane Thorne mentioned marrying, he sincerely wished him well.
He’d held Zane Thorne back for five years.
Enough is enough.
The man wiped the snow off his eyebrows, closed the window, isolating all laughter outside.
He fetched out his phone, habitually searching Natalie Vaughn’s account and Weibo. It seemed to be the only way to glimpse Zane Thorne’s life.
Zane Thorne’s wife was a pretty girl, young, vibrant. She openly showcased her marriage with Zane Thorne.
He thought such unions were just formalities for Zane Thorne, even possibly shackles. But from Natalie Vaughn’s words, he felt her happiness.
Zane Thorne, who once kept women at bay, actually liked this kind of girl.
While watching, the man’s eyes dimmed. Vivi liked roses too; she’d often act sweetly demanding nine, ninety-nine, nine hundred ninety-nine roses from him...
"Vivi..."
The man’s expression turned painful, finding Natalie Vaughn’s smile piercingly obtrusive, raising his hand vehemently smashing the phone against the wall.
He attempted standing but fell harshly to the ground. Hammered his insensitive thighs, relentlessly thumped the floor with fists, finding it not painful enough, started banging his head against the wall.
...
