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"Nat."

He called a name with a tone only used outside of the hospital.

"Are you hiding something from me?" He asked.

"N… No…"

"What's the story with Panlong District then?"

Sean Quinton was born and raised in a poor family, though he became friends with Luke Shears in college. He had a lasting impression of Natalie Snowden, who was Luke Shears's ex-fiance.

Later, she enrolled in the same university he was in and majored in thoracic surgery. That was what made them closer to each other.

Eight years ago, the Snowden family fell from grace. Luke had ditched Natalie in favor of Jessica Winters. The Snowden family never rose again after that, and Natalie Snowden was removed from her position as the top young mistress of Hua City…

Since then, Sean had been secretly taking care of Natalie.

He had followed her progress closely for the past eight years. No matter as her senior in university or as her superior at work, he did not for her to be led astray. That question might not be very appropriate for their social standing, but he was insistent.

"It's… a friend's house. I'm staying there for a while, and I'll be moving back home after a few days…"

He became wary as she spoke. "A friend? Do I know them?"

"…"

Sean Quinton held a peculiar position in Natalie Snowden's relationships. He was both a mentor and a friend to her, and sometimes she felt that he was like a big brother next door. He was an honest, down-to-earth, and kind man. Even though he was Luke Shears's friend, she did not break off her friendship with him.

She might trust Sean's character, but she did not think it was convenient to let him know that she was living in the Winters house.

However, she knew that Sean would persist in questioning her if she did not give him an answer. She thought for a while and replied, "You don't know them, but Luke Shears knows!"

"…"

Sean's expression visibly changed when the name 'Luke Shears' was mentioned.

Natalie realized that her answer would easily mislead him. She hastily waved her hands and explained, "Ah… I didn't mean that. I mentioned Luke's name because I didn't want you to think that my friend is a bad person. You don't have to worry about me."

"I remember that the Winters family house is in Panlong District, right?"

"…"

'What an observant man. It seems like I can't hide anything from him.' Natalie clenched her fists, trying her best to think of an excuse.

"Didn't you say that you have no more affection for Luke Shears?" Sean continued with his questions.

"I have done that. I'm staying there not because of Luke, but because… because…"

"Because of what?"

Natalie could not come up with an answer, though someone answered on her behalf. "Because she's already married and she's living with her husband."

Sean slowly turned around to face the source of the deep, resonant voice behind him. His gaze behind the glasses turned profound the moment he saw John Winters.

"What do you mean?"

With a face full of smiles, John Winters walked toward Natalie, ignoring Sean's presence. He reached out with his muscular arm and brought her into his embrace.

"I'm here to pick you up from work, Mrs. Winters."

He was in a foul mood and remained at work until ten o'clock while none of his employees dared to leave before him. He eventually had a pang of conscience and released Greg Hudson and the rest of his staff. He had planned to stand her up but eventually found himself at the hospital.

The truth was that he had arrived at the hospital three hours ago, and he was frustratedly smoking in the car.

From his parking spot, he could see that her department was lit up. He did not pick up her calls, as though testing her patience, and so he continued waiting in the car…

John had expected that Natalie would give up and leave within half an hour.

In the three hours he waited, Natalie had given him several infrequent calls but remained in the building.

Eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock, one o'clock…

John could not take it anymore, and so he went upstairs. He had thought of forgiving her. Even if she was not behaving properly that day, she was considered generally obedient.

Once he arrived at her department, he saw her 'being intimate' with the man in the photo.

He was not only angry at that moment but livid…

The angrier John Winters became, the calmer he appeared. He did not show his temper like how he used to but instead applied some pressure on the arm that was hugging her waist.

'Ouch!

'Why is he hugging me so tightly?

'This bastard must be doing it deliberately. Also, he picked the most inappropriate time to come…'

Sweat was beading on Natalie's forehead. She grabbed his hand and said, "Yup! I've been waiting for you too. We can leave now!"

John held back Natalie, who was trying to leave the scene as soon as she could. "Why are you in such a hurry?" He said with a smile, "Both of you look like you were chatting happily! Don't you want to chat a little more?"

"I see the Director every day at work. It'll be the same if we continue chatting tomorrow."

"Oh, is that so? You see each other every day?"

Natalie cursed under her breath when she heard that. She knew that she had riled him.

To prevent the situation from devolving further, she tried dragging him away. "Alright, it's already so late. Let's go home!"

Then, she turned around and looked apologetically at Sean. "I'll be going off, Director."

'There's more that I want to tell you and so many things to explain, but…

She knew too well that John would be angry if she continued explaining. She would rather not involve others in his tantrums.

The best solution was to leave!

John knew what her actions meant. Even though he was angry, he allowed himself to be dragged downstairs.

Once they sat into the car, John's emotions that were repressed for half the night exploded. "It's only been a short time, and you're already feeling lonely?"

"Just a short time?"

"I sent you a message at nine o'clock."

"I told you I was busy!"

"So why did you let me wait? It's been more than four hours. Are you toying with me?"

"Why are you so angry? Weren't you enjoying it?"

"The two of you are alone together so late at night. I'm sure the happy times will start if I didn't come!"

"Don't think that everyone is like you. Director Quinton isn't like you."

"Like me?"

He was already unhappy. The woman did not know how to watch her mouth, and compared him to that man…

John's eyebrows were straightened out of anger. "Do you know what kind of person I am?"

His body started moving once he finished speaking. He pinned her on the car seat.

Natalie's skin broke into goosebumps. His face was almost touching hers…