Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother-Chapter 449: A Surprise

The next day, Colin called for his daughter in the office. He was clearly angry with her after Aaron had given him a hint that there was something Grace had done to cause his losses.

"Tell me honestly, what did you do?" Colin asked coldly as he glared at his daughter. "What did you tell or given to Aiden behind my back."

"Dad, what do you mean?" Grace asked, trying to stay calm, though shaken inside. ’Has Aiden told him something? But did he say he wouldn’t.’

Slam!

Colin angrily slammed his hand on the desk and stood up. "I checked the camera footage at home, and you clearly entered my study that night. Tell me—why did you enter the safe? And who even told you the password of it? Even your mother doesn’t know it."

Grace felt scared and took a step back in fear. "D-Dad, he blackmailed me. I had to listen to him."

"What did he blackmail you with?" Colin asked. "Couldn’t you just came to me and tell me instead of getting blackmailed?"

"He... he made me sleep with an escort and then threatened to release that video everywhere," she replied, her voice trembling. "It would have caused you to lose face in public, Dad, so I did what he asked me to."

"Do you know what your help has caused us?" he roared in anger.

"I thought Hartz is a big empire and something small wouldn’t affect it..."

"Idiot!" he roared at her. "Having an idiot daughter instead of a smart son—my life is truly useless."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she heard her father, who had always spoiled her with every demand she made. She was no less than a princess, but now it seemed like that was all just her delusion.

"Dad..."

"Shut up!" he scolded her angrily. "Now go back to the Riverdale estate and inform me of everything happening there—including who is present at home and what they are doing. Understood?"

"Yes, Dad."

With tears in her eyes, she dashed out of Colin’s office.

Colin’s entire head office was in chaos, as all the employees were aware that the company was going down and they were losing their jobs.

"Aiden Riverdale, if I’m going down, I’ll take you and your family with me as well. Just wait for it."

----

Meanwhile, at the penthouse... After eating late at night and sleeping late, Natalie woke up around breakfast time. After getting ready, she came downstairs and saw a tall figure coming out of the study.

She immediately hurried toward him to hug him and wish him a good morning. "Justin..."

But even before her hands could wrap around him, a pair of strong hands held her by the shoulders to stop her.

She inhaled deeply and looked at the man—first in slight shock, then embarrassment. The scent was different from Justin’s. Her skills as a perfumer had definitely blessed her with a sharp sense of scent.

"Aaron?"

He hummed and let her go.

"I’m sorry," she said.

"It’s alright," he replied. "You can hug me, but knowing who I am and not mistaking me for Aiden."

She felt a little baffled by that.

Aaron said, "Your mother once adopted me as her son, so I don’t mind having you as a little sister. If not, we are already old friends, so we can continue that friendship. And this time, it wouldn’t be just through messages, but with direct face to face talk." He raised his hand and patted her head. "Got it?"

Natalie didn’t mind him patting her head and she hummed in response.

Thought came to her mind, ’One brother was adopted by her father, and another was adopted by her mother. And the face that matched her husband entirely—along with even their personalities—was now offering to be her brother. What kind of fate is this?’

"Aiden has gone out for some work. He’ll return soon," Aaron explained. "You must be hungry. Let’s have breakfast."

Both of them had breakfast together, talking about what was going on and how they were planning to end Colin Hartz.

After they finished eating, Natalie received a call. She listened to what the person said and then checked her email once she hung up. Her eyes widened the moment she read it.

Aaron, who was ready to leave, saw her and asked, "What happened?"

She came back to her senses, stared at him for a while, and then spoke, "I... I wonder if it would be right to tell you about it before Justin."

Seeing her still in some kind of surprise, Aaron spoke in an understanding tone, "You should tell him first."

She hummed. "Thank you."

"Take care," Aaron said, and left.

Natalie lay on the sofa, her eyes staring at the ceiling, a happy glint in her gaze. ’How should I tell him? It should be something in a surprising way, right? Let’s think about it. Tonight? Maybe I should wait for him to first take care of Colin Hartz so he won’t be distracted?’

That day, Justin returned late in the afternoon. Natalie realized he had truly been busy somewhere.

"Did I make you wait long?" Justin asked.

She shook her head. "I was busy working."

He hummed and asked, "Your reports are supposed to be out. Did you call the doctor?"

"I did. They said it will take a while more—maybe tomorrow," Natalie replied, then clung to his arm to change the topic. "So, where were you?"

"Just setting a few things for that bastard," Justin replied. "And tonight, we’re returning to the Riverdale estate."

"That means I have to face that nuisance," Natalie said in a complaining tone.

"Today will be the last," Justin assured. "Now let’s head back to Riverdales."

Natalie put on her coat and left with Justin.

----

When they reached home, Grace was there.

Natalie almost twisted her mouth in annoyance.

"What happened?" Justin asked. "Seems like seeing her makes me feel nauseous."

He squeezed her hand gently. "Just act as if she’s not here," and went upstairs with her.

That evening, Natalie even had dinner in her room, refusing to come downstairs. She stayed in bed, asking Justin to stay by her side.

Meanwhile, Grace was reporting everything happening inside the Riverdale estate, just as her father had instructed her. She was unsure why her father had asked her to do it, but she knew she had to obey him—or she was doomed.