Half a year had passed, and President Sheffield was busy running his empire—how could he possibly remember such trivial things!
Besides, why was his wife suddenly bringing this up?
Natalie Jennings was lost in her own thoughts, not noticing the subtle expressions on William's face at all.
It seemed like she'd done something wrong and put Hayden Sheffield in a bad mood... Well, she ought to do something to make it up to him!
After all, he was her golden goose!
Her eyes flickered and Natalie suddenly had an idea.
Back at Sterling Estate, she immediately dove into the kitchen and busied herself with a round of culinary action.
Evening.
Hayden Sheffield took his seat in the dining room, glanced at the dishes before him, and his face sank. "Who made these?"
The butler stole a glance at Natalie Jennings. "It was... it was..."
"These are cucumbers—refreshing. Celery—calming. Bitter melon juice—to reduce heat," Natalie said brightly, not sensing anything was amiss. "I made everything myself!"
"Take them away."
"No, wait!" Natalie quickly stopped him. "Actually, the best way to treat your condition is with the right food—it's really effective."
Hayden turned his head to look at her. "So the minute we're married, you make a table full of green dishes. Are you trying to tell me something?"
Natalie was a bit taken aback. She hadn't even noticed the color...
"Well, um, green... Green is so good! It's healthy."
His face grew even darker.
She was doomed—her attempt to flatter him had backfired!
"Fine." Natalie pouted. "If you don't want to eat, don't eat. When you get sick, you'll be the one suffering, not me."
Hayden picked up a piece of celery. "If you ever dare to betray me, I'll show you what it means to want to live but not be able to, and want to die but can't."
"How could I possibly? Hehehe..." She quickly pitched her voice sweet and soft. "President Sheffield, you're so handsome and suave, elegant, and truly one of a kind. I'm so lucky—I must have fortune smiling on my ancestors to be able to marry you!"
He didn't buy into her flattery; his tone was icy. "Tomorrow morning, you're coming with me to the Sheffield family."
Natalie Jennings asked, "To meet your parents?"
"Yeah."
"Sounds good." She agreed immediately. "If I'm helping you handle the Sheffield family, can you do me a small favor too?"
Hayden countered, "Are you trying to strike a deal with me?"
"Happy partnership, right?" Natalie scooted closer, gently shaking his arm. "Come on, just say yes—pretty please?"
A strange, tingling current shot from his arm through his whole body. Hayden abruptly pulled away and leaned back in his chair. "Speak."
"Lend me a few bodyguards—I need to deal with a couple people."
"Want me to throw in some extra guts while I'm at it?"
Natalie replied, "Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I'd never dare go against you. I have other uses for them!"
This time, Peter and Leo Lowe had schemed against her, and she was definitely going to fight back—she would never let this go.
The Jennings family was no pushover!
"I'll lend you some—for one day." Hayden relented. "Don't go overboard."
She hugged him happily. "Ah! Thank you, hubby!"
A trace of a smile flashed in Hayden's eyes, but he soon returned to his icy demeanor.
...
The Sheffield family old mansion.
Natalie Jennings wore a pale pink, round-neck, knee-length dress paired with white high heels—gentle and serene.
With reddened lips and fair skin, her delicate face looked stunning. She was a natural beauty—and after donning a couture dress, her slender waist and long legs stood out all the more. Her allure was simply off the charts—a true high-class beauty.
"Do I look proper enough? When it comes to playing the good girl, I'm a master—I guarantee the elders will be all smiles."
Hayden responded with a faint "Mm," hiding the amazement in his eyes.
Suddenly, he felt a familiar itch in his heart... Just like back then—when he loved Eva without even realizing it!
He bent his arm. "Link up."
Natalie stood at Hayden's side and walked forward, looking like the perfect power couple.
As the wealthiest family in Southedge, the Sheffield family old mansion was a Chinese-style residence—more like a private garden with rockeries and ponds, filled with classical charm.
Master Sheffield was still alive, enjoying his golden years in comfort.
As for Hayden's father, Thomas Sheffield, he was lazy and incompetent—a glutton who, in his younger days, was bewitched by Leah Rhodes and broke off his marriage with Mrs. Sheffield, his childhood sweetheart.
Mrs. Sheffield had already borne a son and daughter at the time. Proud and high-spirited, she couldn't forgive her husband's infidelity and, after the divorce, cut all ties with the Sheffield family.
Leah Rhodes, on the other hand, won favor quickly by giving birth to a son and thus secured her position in the family.
In the living room—
Facing the Sheffields, Natalie's gaze was probing and sharp.
Just who among them had become Peter Lowe's backer?
Or was it the man beside her?
If Hayden was the one behind it… what then?
She quietly asked Hayden, "If someone gives me a hard time, what should I do?"
"Play it by ear."
"Easy for you to say—but you can't just sit back and watch the show!" She tugged his sleeve. "You need to help me at the right time!"
Hayden grabbed her restless fingers. "Depends on my mood."
Natalie: "…"
Men really couldn't be counted on!!!
"Grandpa," Hayden said calmly, "I brought my wife to meet you."
"You dare bring that up?" Master Sheffield scolded. "I already talked things through with the Vance Family—we were just about to set the date and formal betrothal gifts, let Zoe Vance through the Sheffield family doors, but no, you went ahead and got married in secret!"
"If you like Zoe Vance so much, Grandpa, maybe you should marry her yourself."
"What kind of nonsense is that?!"
"Dad," Leah Rhodes chimed in, "as long as Hayden's happy, it's fine. Don't you always say, 'Harmony in the family brings prosperity'?"
Leah Rhodes figured that marrying Hayden to an ordinary girl with no background meant there was no way to forge an alliance with the Vance Family anymore—no more joining forces.
That would give her son a better shot at the Sheffield family assets.
"Exactly," Thomas Sheffield seconded. "Hayden's at the age to settle down."
With the family echoing their sentiments, Natalie sweetened her voice and said, "Grandpa, hello—I'm Natalie Jennings. Hayden and I truly love each other. I'll do my best to be a good, virtuous wife, and give the Sheffield family plenty of descendants."
"Alright," Master Sheffield said solemnly, "Natalie Jennings, you're now part of the Sheffield family. Behave yourself, be discreet and obedient."
"I'll keep that in mind, Grandpa."
"Good. Now, serve the tea."
Natalie picked up the teacup and, following the order of seniority, served tea one by one.
When it was Leah Rhodes' turn, she said, "Mother-in-law, please have some tea."
"Not calling me 'Mom'? Does that mean you don't consider me part of the Sheffield family?" Leah started to hassle her. "Or do you not see yourself as the Sheffield family's daughter-in-law?"
Though she'd just spoken up for Natalie, that was for her own interests. As for this daughter-in-law, she had to teach her a lesson and establish some authority.
Natalie answered, neither humble nor overbearing, "Everything was going smoothly until it was your turn, Mother-in-law—why's that?"
As she spoke, out of the corner of her eye she peeked at Hayden.
Was he really not going to help her out?
"This tea just doesn't go down well," Leah said, "Not even a single nice word from you."
Natalie was just about to fire back when Hayden snatched the teacup from her hand.
He slammed it down hard—the cup shattered, tea splattered everywhere. "You're just my stepmother. Who gave you the nerve to push my wife around?"