Hardy was a quick-witted man and it was a piece of cake for him to deal with Natasya. She had clearly overestimated herself and was at a disadvantageous point.
“I don’t care! You are forbidden to tell them about this!”
“Did you just admit that you were really seducing me?” Hardy reached out to hold her chin and questioned further, “How long have you planned this? What is your purpose of framing me?”
“No! I did not!”
“Am I your next target since you have failed to gain control of William? Are you intending to use me as a backup plan?” Hardy continued to corner her, “To be honest, you’re a beautiful and talented woman. I might really be lured into your trap if I am not currently in a relationship with Talitha. You are a much better criterion than your sister.”
She struggled to break free from Hardy and could only shake her head in disagreement. Hardy lowered his head and pulled himself closer to her. “You are interested to marry me, aren’t you? Do you desperately want to become Mrs. Anthony? Come clean to me! I adore women who are straight to the point instead of beating around the bush!”
“I… I…” Their close contact was making Natasya feel embarrassed and angry at the same time. However, she was suddenly curious about something, “Did you really consider me as your future wife before?”
She did not expect herself to ask this kind of question to Hardy. He grinned while letting go of her and replied, “Of course! I would happily marry you if Talitha is not one step ahead of you. After all, you are much more excellent than her in terms of intelligence and appearance. However, I cannot betray her as she is currently pregnant!”
Was it an indication that Hardy would not hesitate to choose her over Talitha if Talitha was not pregnant?
She thought to herself while watching Hardy walk out of the surveillance room.
He made his way back to the private room and their conversation was coming to an end. Paisley was running out of ideas and immediately seek for Hardy’s rescue upon his arrival, “Hardy, you are indeed well immersed in your work despite currently being a mealtime. You left without entertaining your guests and don’t you think that it’s rude for you to do this?”
“Something urgent has come up just now. I’m sorry that I really can’t change this habit of mine!” Hardy sat down with a smile and looked at Raelyn and Talitha. “How was the meal?”
“It’s great!” Raelyn and Natasya both nodded.
“Would you like anything else? How about some specialty dishes from the chefs?” Hardy was so gentle and patient towards them.
“No, thank you as we are already full!” Raelyn replied with a smile. She was feeling delightful upon seeing Hardy being very polite towards them. She did not want to linger around much longer as Hardy was seemed to be relatively busy.
Raelyn then continued, “Let’s call it a day as you seem to have matters that are yet to deal with. I do sincerely hope that Talitha’s father will be able to join us next time. We will then treat both you and Paisley to a lovely meal real soon.”
“That sounds good!” Hardy immediately agreed.
The four of them eventually walked out of the room. No one had brought up Natasya’s sudden disappearance and pretended that she was absent from the dinner.
Raelyn and Talitha went back to their suite in an uplifting mood. Natasya reached home before them and locked herself in the room while her thoughts run wild. She leaned against the door upon hearing her mother and sister’s footsteps.
She was worried that Hardy would tell Talitha and Raelyn about what had happened. However, they were talking happily in the living room and did not show a trace of anger.
“I had assumed Hardy to have a cold attitude. It was unexpected of him to be so gentle and considerate. Talitha, you are indeed a lucky woman.”
“Mummy, both you and dad deserve all the credit. I would have long been rejected by him if you guys did not suggest using the blood vermin on him. You have no idea how foreign he was to me last time. He distanced himself and was not a fan of physical contact,” Talitha replied while feeling relieved about how things had turned out.
“He has changed into a completely new person ever since he was being controlled by the blood vermin. He listens to me and even treats me so lovingly. My hard work and patience have finally paid off.”
Natasya bit her lips upon hearing Talitha’s reply. She recalled what Hardy had whispered to her in the surveillance room, “Of course! I would happily marry you if Talitha is not one step ahead of you. After all, you are much more excellent than her in terms of intelligence and appearance. However, I cannot betray her as she is currently pregnant!”
Talitha had used the blood vermin to get Hardy under her control. However, Hardy must have used to catch feelings for Natasya last time, right? He would definitely accept Natasya as his girlfriend after the incident that happened just now if it weren’t for Talitha’s blood vermin.
Hardy was not as capable and good-looking as William. However, he was nevertheless a competent man and the Anthony family also had a wealthy background.
Natasya would have a decent life if she was able to marry Hardy and eventually become Mrs. Anthony. Men from affluent families would not even consider Natasya due to her shattered reputation. It would be a miracle for her to marry a rich man from a high social status.
Hardy had already done the explicit act with her. Natasya’s dream would come true if she was able to control him and eventually become part of the Anthony family.
Natasya’s eyes lit up upon thinking about this piece of an idea.
Hardy and Paisley left the hotel together. Paisley enquired him on their way home, “Hardy, is everything settled?”
“Yes! But Paisley, I think I am getting out of hand. I suffered from heartache when I was luring Natasya just now. I had to suppress the pain and tried my best to act as if I’m behaving normally.”
“What do you mean? Are you saying that you are unable to mess with them?” Paisley asked with a surprised look on her face.
“I have no idea about it too. Your speculation might be true judging from my reaction just now. I can only adore them as I am unable to think badly of them. Otherwise, my negative train of thoughts might do harm to me.”
“That’s too ridiculous! Hardy, there must be an antidote to break you free from the spell! You shall continue your act and I will arrange for someone to get ahold of the antidote. We can always seek revenge on them after you have recovered from it.”
“Yeah, I guess I am left with no choice!” Hardy leaned against the back row of the car with a tired look on his face. His feelings for the Anderson sisters were getting out of hand and were increasingly uncontrollable. He was confident to deceive the sisters but was concerned that he would eventually lose himself and become a puppet.
What was the point of being alive if that was really the case?
Deborah, who was at the Floyd family’s estate was feeling upset after ending the phone call with William. She lay on the bed in the bedroom and did not get up for dinner. Fandrey pushed the door open and went into the bedroom. “Deborah, do get up and have something to fill you up!”
“No! I have no appetite!” Deborah refused in a dejected tone.
“Are you still angry at William?” Fandrey placed the food on the bedside table. “Why would you feel moody just because of the few sentences that he had said to you? You did not react like this when Tilda decided to leave us last time, right?”
Deborah became much more agitated and said, “The only reason why you are being so calm is that he has never talked back to you yet. That brat was so close with me and even addressed me as his grandmother when he lost his memory. He was such a polite and obedient kid during his stay with us. He would always agree with me and never once did argue back with me… I did not expect him to change into a whole new person when he went back home. He went against my advice just because of a woman. I am very angry at him!”