Natalie Jennings paused for a few seconds, her expression shifting as she shot a quick glance at Hayden Sheffield.
"Why are you looking at me?" Hayden gently swirled the red wine in his goblet. "Mrs. Sheffield, who is he? Hmm?"
"Just… an insignificant friend."
He let out a mocking, low chuckle.
Clearly, Hayden didn't believe her at all.
Natalie put on a natural smile, greeting him, "Young Master Quincy, long time no see."
"Natalie, it really is you!"
Delight flashed across Jasper Quincy's handsome face, but Natalie was cold, her every feature full of distance.
The Jennings and the Quincy families were old family friends, even neighbors. Their relationship was so good they'd knocked down a wall to make visits easier. Jasper Quincy and Natalie Jennings had been childhood sweethearts.
In fact, both families had made a verbal engagement, just waiting for Jasper to finish his studies abroad so they could become in-laws.
Unfortunately, the Jennings family suffered a catastrophe—lost everything and fell apart. The engagement, too, came to nothing.
"Young Master Quincy, was there something you needed?" she asked.
"Natalie, for the past six months, I've been searching for you."
"Sorry," Natalie looked at him, "my relationship with you, Young Master Quincy, isn't that close."
Hurt flickered in Jasper's eyes. "So, in the end, you hate me after all."
Natalie pulled at the corner of her mouth. "Young Master Quincy, you're being a bit dramatic. Where there's love, there's hate. You and I are just ordinary friends—no love, no hate."
Back when the Jennings family was in trouble and needed help, Natalie called Jasper again and again, but no one picked up.
She begged Uncle Quincy to lend her two hundred thousand for medical bills, but was met with ruthless refusal.
When you're down, everyone kicks you.
Natalie had seen through all the warmth and coldness of human relationships.
"Natalie, let me explain." Jasper said, "My dad took my phone at that time, I couldn't get your calls at all. I was overseas—I had no idea such a disaster had happened to your family."
"Jasper!" A clear, sweet female voice suddenly rang out. "There was a bit of traffic, so I'm a few minutes late—hope you don't mind?"
Angela Lynn came briskly in on her high heels, intimately looping her arm through Jasper's and giving him a peck on the cheek.
Jasper looked a little awkward.
"And this is…" Natalie arched an eyebrow with a smile. "Young Master Quincy, aren't you going to introduce us?"
Angela leaned sweetly against Jasper's shoulder. "I'm Jasper's fiancée, Angela Lynn. We're planning our wedding right now—you're welcome to our ceremony."
"Congratulations."
"Natalie, I…"
Natalie cut him off. "You mean to say, your wedding, like all those phone calls I made, was also controlled by your dad?"
Angela looked confused. "Jasper, what is she talking about?"
"Nothing, it's all in the past," Natalie replied. "The steak here is pretty good—enjoy your meal."
Facing her former childhood sweetheart, she couldn't stay another second. All she wanted was to run.
Ha. He says he was searching tirelessly for her, but it clearly didn't stop him from finding a fiancée, did it?
Back then, she must have been blind to have ever misjudged Jasper Quincy!
Natalie got up to leave, but her wrist was suddenly seized by someone.
Hayden's rough fingertips brushed over her delicate skin. "Sit down."
Natalie bit her lip.
"Do I have to say it a second time?"
Faced with Hayden's icy, faint smile, Natalie could only obediently sit back down.
He raised his brows, satisfied.
"Who are you?" Jasper was visibly upset by the scene. "What right do you have to restrict her freedom?"
Hayden didn't even bother looking at him, just gazed coolly at Natalie. "Tell him who I am."
Looks like there was no getting out of this today.
Natalie smiled brilliantly. "Oh, almost forgot to introduce you. This is my husband—Hayden Sheffield!"
Jasper and Angela were both stunned.
Hayden Sheffield—his name was famous across Southedge; everyone knew of him. And he'd actually married Natalie Jennings!
"Eat up." Hayden speared a piece of steak and held it to Natalie's lips. "Isn't this your favorite restaurant?"
He was doing this on purpose, obviously!
Natalie opened her mouth to bite down, deliberately softening her voice. "Thank you, hubby."
The steak in front of Hayden was fed to Natalie, piece by piece, until there was none left.
Hayden's face remained cold. "Are you two going to keep watching? Hmm?"
Angela quickly tugged Jasper away to their own table.
Watching the two of them walk away shoulder to shoulder, Jasper frowned, his expression full of desolation.
He'd only returned home a moment too late, and she was already married.
Is this how he and she would miss each other for this lifetime?
Angela watched Jasper's look and grew even more suspicious inside.
There must be something between him and Mrs. Sheffield. She'd have to check—it wouldn't do for anyone to steal her Jasper!
Underground parking lot.
Hayden yanked Natalie's wrist, pinning her against the car door.
"Ex-boyfriend? Hmm?"
"No, I've never been with Jasper Quincy."
Hayden's gaze was dangerously sharp. "You know what happens if you lie to me."
"He was my neighbor growing up, nearly got engaged, but it never happened." Natalie replied, "If you don't believe me, go ahead and check."
He curled his lips coldly. "He seems to still have feelings for you."
"That's your imagination." Natalie frowned. "He's getting married."
"No one understands a man better than another man." Hayden moved closer, his voice low and husky. "The way Jasper Quincy looks at you—that's how a man looks at a woman."
Hayden's hot breath sent tingles through Natalie, making her squirm and turn away.
She thought a moment. "Maybe it's because… I'm his white moonlight? Love he can never have? Aren't you all like that—what you can't get is always the best."
Hayden's eyes darkened.
That stabbed right into his innermost wound.
"Keep your distance from him." Hayden breathed into her ear. "If I find out—"
His tone was full of menace.
"Are you jealous?" Natalie asked, "You're actually jealous over a childhood friend who doesn't even matter?"
"I just prefer a woman who's pure in body and heart."
She instantly held up three fingers in an oath. "Then rest assured, I absolutely do not love Jasper Quincy."
Inside, Natalie muttered, Hayden himself has his own white moonlight! He's allowed to light fires, but no one else can strike a match!
But she wouldn't say it aloud, pretending she knew nothing.
The dangerous aura Hayden exuded finally dissipated.
He leaned in and bit her earlobe hard, his hand settling on her waist, sliding slowly. "Good girl."
Natalie froze, her whole body stiff.
W-what was he doing…
This was a parking garage!
Natalie tried to push him away. "Don't—we'll be seen."
"Then, in the car?"
Her face went pale. Why was Hayden getting ideas at a time like this?
He was her enemy—she hadn't forgotten!
Besides, she'd never wanted to give her body to Hayden!
Before Natalie could respond, Hayden pulled open the car door and dragged her inside with him.