Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 288: Speechless

Natalie Vaughn had anticipated she might run into Ian at the fashion show, but she didn’t expect to bump into him beforehand.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really a run-in; Ian’s family and her teacher were close friends.

But seeing Ian’s straightforward and somewhat aggressive gaze, Natalie was left speechless by a man for the first time.

How could someone be so unreserved, knowing she was married?

Bartery intended to make a proper introduction, but noticed Natalie’s aversion to Ian. Why did it seem familiar? Perhaps because two years ago, when he persuaded Natalie to study in Kensingport, she had the same demeanor.

Indifferent eyes, a cool demeanor, but he was much luckier than Ian; at least, back then, Natalie wore a smile.

"Ian, how did you manage to anger Kristin?"

Ian frowned in frustration.

"I’m quite curious too; Kristin seems to really dislike me."

Natalie couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Ian’s current behavior was exactly the kind of exasperating "green tea" phrase that annoyed people the most back in Cinnabar.

"Knowing I dislike you, can you please stop asserting your presence in front of me all the time?"

Upon hearing Natalie’s words, Bartery stepped aside and exclaimed, ’Wow,’ feeling sorry for Ian.

Hearing this, Ian was also annoyed.

"I just came to find Bartery; I didn’t know you’d be here."

Caught-in-the-crossfire Bartery: ...

"Ah, right, it’s more convenient to go together."

Natalie looked over and coldly remarked.

"If you don’t want to drive, hiring someone wouldn’t be that expensive."

Bartery touched his nose. He found it strange; Ian wasn’t usually that close to him. They weren’t even particularly good friends, so why did he need to find him to watch the show this time?

It turned out to be... how did that old Kensingport poem go?

A drinker with no interest in wine.

Throughout the journey, Natalie didn’t join their conversation; instead, she messaged Vivian on her phone. As soon as she brought it up, Vivian launched into a tirade.

"I was also invited to the show. A few people from the company who were invited planned to go together, and I was arranged to go with him."

"I didn’t have any expectations that this young master would want to go with me."

"But he didn’t refuse. When I asked him, he didn’t say no either."

"Ha, pretending to be some gentleman on a normal day, but today he leaves me at the company without a word. I only found out he went to Bartery when I called. I am truly speechless! At least have the courtesy to tell me! Fine, but don’t cancel last minute!"

"The car I rented last minute was so expensive. To think he causes trouble for me at work is one thing, but he’s just as infuriating outside. I am so angry, I want to quit my job!"

"I really want to punch him. Working under him for just over two months has already destroyed my passion for work."

At the end of the rant, Vivian was so worked up that she sent a voice message.

Since Natalie didn’t have her earphones, she turned the volume down as low as possible before playing it. Vivian’s angry voice broke through the volume barrier.

"Ian, that useless bastard, go die! He’s nothing but a scumbag, beyond saving!"

Bartery was startled and first looked at Natalie, then at the useless bastard who was being cursed at. Ian dropped his gentlemanly facade and frowned.

Natalie, however, was unfazed. Vivian wasn’t wrong; it wasn’t embarrassing for her. She even asked Vivian where she was, suggesting she could join them halfway and curse him out in person.

Unfortunately, Vivian was too far away for that idea to work.

Putting down her phone, Natalie remarked,

"I never expected the famously gentlemanly Mr. Ian to cancel at the last minute. Seems like you can’t trust the rumors out there."

For the first time, Ian scowled in front of Natalie.

...

After arriving at their destination, Natalie rested at the hotel and used the time to video call Zane Thorne.

Once she mentioned Ian, Zane’s expression immediately darkened.

"Is that guy brain-damaged or something?"

It was the first time she’d heard Zane curse at someone, and Natalie couldn’t help but laugh.

Zane looked at her, eyebrows furrowed.

"You’re laughing?"

Natalie coughed twice.

"I just think you look kind of cute like that."

Zane gave a cold snort. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Not absurd?"

Natalie shook her head wildly, but couldn’t hold back her laughter.

"It’s just... I find it adorable when you call him brain-damaged hahaha, it doesn’t sound like something you would say hahaha."

Zane: ...

After Natalie laughed enough, Zane mumbled a question.

"What did you do?"

"I cursed him out too, honestly. It’s the first time I found him disgusting. I’ve clearly told him, and you told him too. Why won’t he just take the hint?"

Zane was about to say more when Natalie’s door was knocked.

"Hold on."

As soon as Natalie opened the door, Vivian came storming in, her high heels clattering. Just from the sound, one could sense her fury.

"I just ran into Ian downstairs and gave him a piece of my mind. Do you know what he said? This guy is just insane, completely unreasonable! He said whether or not to pick me up is his choice, and I have no right to question it. I swear, how can SHEN Group be handed over to this idiot? Will it really be okay?"

Vivian was red with anger, so Natalie amusedly handed her some water.

"It’s not worth getting so mad over someone like that."

Vivian gulped down the entire bottle before she finally calmed down a bit.

"If I keep working under him, I’ll really get sick from anger. I can’t stick with Kristin’s job any longer; I’m quitting at the end of the quarter."

"And start a studio?"

"That’s not a bad idea."

Natalie raised an eyebrow, recalling what Quentin Donovan had told her before.

"You can find Joe; he has money. Let him invest in you."

Vivian’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh right, how could I forget!"

Though Quentin Donovan’s company didn’t have the deep roots of SHEN Group, they are one of the rare fashion groups that emerged from Cinnabar and are starting to make waves internationally.

Right in the ascent, it indeed wasn’t a bad idea for Vivian to seek investment from Quentin Donovan.

This was practically lighting a clear path for Vivian. She hugged Natalie, giving her several kisses on the cheek, and Natalie couldn’t avoid it.

On the other end of the video call, Zane Thorne, who had been ignored for quite a while, finally couldn’t hold back.

"Stop kissing my wife."

Vivian froze with her actions, clutching Natalie as she searched for the voice’s source. Natalie seized the opportunity to escape Vivian’s hold.

Natalie picked up her phone and gestured towards it.

"I’m on a video call with my husband."

Vivian immediately raised her hands, looking terrified.

"Zheng, really?"

Natalie: ... Who else could it be but Zane Thorne?

"Ahem, Zane, I only kissed your wife’s cheek; I won’t do it again."

Compared to Ian, for reasons unknown, Vivian feared Zane more.

The less you know, the more mysterious, and the harder to fathom.