He Got Engaged to His First Love On the Day I Died-Chapter 39: His Gaze Was Glued to Her Butterfly Bones
"He hurt someone. Your neighbor. They called the police, and now Thomas Morgan is at the precinct." He said it casually, the corners of his lips even hinting at a smile.
Natalie Morgan clenched her fists tightly. "What are you trying to say?"
The man stared at her with amusement. "Natalie Morgan, you know I don’t like it when you’re defiant with me."
"Just say it. What do you need me to do?"
He liked her cleverness. "A few days ago, the deal with Mr. Wallace was more or less settled. There’s a business banquet tomorrow. I have another deal to discuss with Mr. Lawson. You’ll come with me, play your part, and secure the contract. If you do, I’ll let you see your brother."
Natalie Morgan looked at him, her eyes turning cold.
’What does he take me for now?’
The deal with Miles Wallace worked because Mandy Chase was involved.
He was just doing a favor for a former classmate.
’And this one?’
"Mr. Grant, you should at least tell me who this Mr. Lawson is, shouldn’t you? His wife isn’t another one of my former classmates, is she?"
"No."
Actually, it didn’t matter to Natalie Morgan whether she was or not.
Nor did it matter to Theodore Grant.
What mattered was that if Natalie Morgan agreed, he was already halfway to success.
"If I help you secure this contract, will you let my brother go for good?"
He quirked his lips, a smirk playing on his face. "You’re not even asking what I’ll have you do? That confident?"
"Before you came to bargain with me, Mr. Grant, you must have already investigated Mr. Lawson’s entire life story. You’ve never been shy about making sacrifices, and as a woman, I naturally have a woman’s advantages."
Some things didn’t need to be said too explicitly.
Spelling it out would only make things awkward for both of them.
Her delicate face was as calm and composed as still ash.
He subconsciously glanced at her, his expression complex, and suddenly stood up. "I hope, Mrs. Grant, that you won’t disappoint me."
"I also hope, Mr. Grant, that you won’t keep going back on your word."
He scoffed and turned to walk toward his car.
A few minutes later, the car drove out of the Grant Residence.
’He probably went to Wanda Lynch’s place.’
That wasn’t important.
Regardless of whether what Theodore Grant said was true or false, she had to verify it.
With an uneasy heart, she called Serena Sutton.
After a heavy pause on the other end, a self-reproachful voice came through. "It’s my fault. I didn’t watch him properly. He beat the neighbor bloody. I’m negotiating compensation right now. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."
"Claire, Theodore Grant knows about this."
Hearing this, Serena Sutton asked urgently, "He’s involved? Then things are going to get complicated."
"He said if I help him secure a contract, he’ll let Thomas Morgan go for good." She fell silent.
On the other end of the line, Serena Sutton let out an almost inaudible sigh. "Do you still believe him?"
"And what if I don’t? He can blot out the sky with one hand. My father was in such a high position back then, and wasn’t he still plotted against by him? For him to crush the Morgan Family, it’s as easy as flipping his palm."
The incident with Maxwell Morgan back then...
It had shaken all of Riverden.
A man known for his integrity was suddenly exposed for taking tens of millions in bribes. Luxury watches, famous paintings, and antiques were supposedly found during a search of his home.
Public outcry was everywhere.
His reputation was ruined.
A few days after he was taken away, he committed suicide in prison.
Whether it was suicide or murder remains a mystery to this day.
Serena Sutton knew all of this.
"So you’re finally willing to believe that what happened to your father was orchestrated by Theodore Grant?"
"If it wasn’t him, who else could it be?"
She really couldn’t think of anyone else who would so deliberately scheme against her family.
But back then, she refused to believe it.
She had even naively believed that Theodore Grant would help her.
Help her save her father, help clear his name.
The injustice was never redressed, and her father was already gone.
Disappointment had accumulated bit by bit, to the point where she could now speak of all this calmly.
"Nattie, don’t worry. If we can get Thomas Morgan out smoothly this time, I’ll definitely keep a close eye on him. I’ll hide him away and won’t give Theodore Grant another chance."
"Okay."
After they finished talking,
Natalie Morgan stared blankly at the sunset glow that had already sunk below the horizon.
The sunset was beautiful, but it was fleeting.
Even the most suffocating problems, once you thought them through, were just that.
She smiled faintly, her bright eyes as clear and serene as spring water.
「The next morning.」
Theodore Grant had someone deliver a cocktail dress to Natalie Morgan.
Compared to the one she wore to Miles Wallace’s home, this one was less demure and much more risqué.
It was a black, off-the-shoulder design with a deep V-neck that plunged all the way to her navel.
Compared to the front, the back was even more daring and sexy.
It was a completely open-back design, with nothing but a single strand of pearls connecting it in the middle, offering almost no coverage.
She had only ever seen dresses like this on attention-seeking celebrities or socialites.
She understood.
「That evening.」
The butler came up and knocked on her door. "Madam, the master asked me to call you downstairs. He specifically instructed that you be wearing the dress."
"I know."
「Half an hour later.」
Natalie Morgan descended from the second floor.
The sexy black dress made her waist look as if a single grasp could break it.
Her long, wavy hair, like seaweed, cascaded over her shoulders, enchanting and seductive.
Against the fabric, her exposed skin appeared even more porcelain-white, like snow.
She had deliberately applied makeup that created a stark contrast with the black dress.
Her red lips, in particular, were like plum blossoms blooming in the snow—alluring, yet with a touch of cold detachment.
Theodore Grant had never seen this side of Natalie Morgan.
In his memory, she was always bare-faced. The only time she’d ever worn makeup was probably when they went to get their marriage certificate.
This version of her completely overturned his stereotype of her.
For a moment, he was completely captivated.
"You... look a little different today."
Natalie Morgan glanced at him coolly. "Are you satisfied, Mr. Grant?"
"Not bad." His eyes roamed over her body.
Natalie Morgan averted her gaze, gathered her skirt, and walked toward the door.
His eyes were glued to her shoulder blades.
On the way, the man and woman in the back seat barely spoke.
Theodore Grant’s gaze remained locked on Natalie Morgan.
She turned her head to look out the window.
"You smell nice," he said suddenly.
"I’m wearing perfume," Natalie Morgan said without turning back. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"I’ve never seen you... before."
"Don’t you know that people can change, Mr. Grant?"
She had little desire to talk to him, so she simply turned her body away.
Rebuffed, the man’s expression soured.
The banquet was held at a manor.
The dignitaries, celebrities, and business magnates who had arrived early were impeccably dressed, their glasses clinking as they mingled.
Women in various styles of cocktail dresses gathered in small groups, whispering to each other and occasionally letting out a peal of laughter.
Not every man had a female companion by his side.
This was a purely business-oriented banquet.
Groups of men stood together, talking animatedly, mostly about business plans and their outlook on future development.
When Natalie Morgan walked in, she immediately captured the attention of every man in the room.
Some looks were of stunned admiration, others of greed.
Several well-known bosses, taking the opportunity to exchange a few pleasantries with Theodore Grant, kept letting their eyes wander over Natalie Morgan.
Theodore Grant’s target was obvious.
Rhys Lawson.
