Wife by Day, Boss by Night

Listening to Gavin's fading footsteps outside the door, she fished the SIM card out of her battered cell phone and tucked it into her purse.

Her clothes and her bag all bore the marks of blood from her hands.

Yet she felt no physical pain, only emotional. Her heartaches outweighed any physical discomfort.

Rosie had received a call from Gavin and waited anxiously outside the hotel where the film crew was staying. Natalie hadn't returned, and Rosie was pacing back and forth frantically. Natalie wasn’t answering her phone either, leaving Rosie clueless about what might have happened.

After what seemed like an eternity, Rosie finally saw Natalie step out of a familiar car and walk toward her from a distance.

“Natalie!” she called out, jogging toward her friend. “Where the heck have you been? I've been worried sick...”

Her voice trailed off as she saw the dry blood on Natalie's hands, which made her gasp in shock. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing.” Natalie replied indifferently.

Rosie glanced at her, then at the Maybach parked at the curb, understanding that it had something to do with Brian. Frowning deeply, she said firmly, “We need to get you patched up!”

How could Brian be so heartless? Even if Audrey took the money, it wasn’t Natalie's fault. How could he let Natalie suffer like this?

“It's fine. A couple of band—aids will do,” Natalie said calmly.

Seeing Natalie was not herself then, Rosie didn't push further. She grabbed several first aid supplies from a nearby pharmacy and followed Natalie upstairs.

Tiny shards of glass had embedded in the cuts on Natalie's fingertips. As Rosie cleaned the wounds, she was horrified.

But Natalie didn't make a sound, her pale face staring at the injuries on her hands.

“I'll call my brother!” Rosie finally said with resolve, dropping the antiseptic onto the table.

Natalie grabbed her by the sleeve and shook her head. “Rosie, don’t you remember? He's the main investor in your brother's company.”

“That doesn’t mean he can walk all over you!” Rosie said, her heart aching at the sight of Natalie's wounds, not to mention how Gavin and the rest must feel.

Natalie wasn't sure if her appeasement had calmed Brian's anger towards the James family.

12:41

But she didn’t want Gavin to find out and then let King know, complicating matters even more. The issues between her and Brian shouldn't drag others down. She had learned her lessons. She would be more careful around Brian, and this would pass, too, no matter how long a year might seem.

Seeing that Natalie wouldn't let go, Rosie sighed, sitting back down to continue treating the wounds.

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I'm sorry for the trouble, but you'll have to ask the crew for a few more

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days off for me,” Natalie said quietly to Rosie. Her scars were too visible for the camera. Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

Back at the Howard residence, Brian had just brought Davis and Gracia home after Gracia’s discharge from the hospital.

Seeing Brian about to leave, Davis called out to him in a lowered voice, am 8

It's so late already. Leave in the

5 i o morning.”

Brian glanced at the time. It was indeed late, past eleven.

“Yeah,” he responded indifferently and went upstairs.

Gracia sat on the sofa, looking pitifully at Davis. “Did my coming here upset Brian?” she asked softly.

“He wouldn't dare!” Davis responded right away. “As the older one, don't I get to say who can stay here?”

)

After a moment's thought, he Co . 5

reassured Gracia, “You just settle in

)

here comfortably. He'll come around

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eventually. I'll try to bring Nate back in the next few days. With Nate here,

5 § Tey Brian will have more reason to visit.