"Ms. Natalie, how did you manage to convince a star like Mr. Ried to not only join your company as an artist but also invest in it?"
Natalie remained poised, her expression cool and professional. "He must have seen the potential in the plans I have for this company and decided to invest. When someone invests such a significant amount and believes in the company’s success, it only makes sense to represent that company as well. Anyone in his position would do the same, wouldn’t they?"
Another reporter quickly followed up. "What exactly did you tell him to convince him to take such a leap?"
"If I revealed that, wouldn’t my rivals know and try to suppress me before my company even takes off?" Natalie skilfully dodged the question which made Victor smirked.
"Still, could you give us a hint?"
"It’s simple," Natalie replied with a confident smile. "The plan is to become the topmost name in the entertainment industry."
As the reporters jotted down her words, Victor leaned closer to her, his voice low and teasing. "Didn’t you forget to mention it’s because I love you and agreed to whatever you demanded from me?"
Natalie’s smile remained in place, as if talking something important to her artist "How about I punch that beautiful face of yours? My hands are itching."
Their exchange was brief, but the reporters sensed something more than just professionalism between the two.
"Ms. Natalie," one bold reporter asked, "you two seem really close. Could you share what you just whispered to each other?"
Natalie flashed a flawless smile. "Mr. Ried mentioned he’s in a hurry and asked if he could leave, provided there are no more pressing questions."
Victor opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Natalie discreetly pinched his thigh under the table. He barely flinched, masking any reaction, but leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. "A little higher, and I might actually enjoy it."
’Pervert,’ she pulled her hand back with composure as if nothing had happened. "We’ll allow Mr. Ried to leave."
But Victor, ever the troublemaker, leaned back comfortably in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Don’t worry about me. I think I can spare another five minutes."
"Ms. Natalie, another question. We’re all curious about your husband. Who is he, and what does he do?"
Natalie’s expression remained professional, "This press conference is about company matters, not my personal life. But since you’ve asked, all you need to know is that he’s a good-hearted, well-mannered, and hardworking man."
"Will we get to see the two of you together anytime soon?" another reporter prodded.
"Maybe," Natalie responded, her smile remaining graceful.
"We can’t wait to meet him," the reporter added enthusiastically.
Natalie nodded, her smile unwavering, but her thoughts were far from cordial. ’Trust me, I can’t wait to see him either. The moment I do, I’m going to chop him into pieces.’
-----
Inside Justin’s office.
As if the man had all the time in the world, was glued to the screen, watching Natalie’s press conference unfold. He had postponed all his meetings for this.
"Achoo!"
Justin sneezed and immediately focused on Natalie’s face as she answered the question about her husband. A strange feeling washed over him as he studied her expression.
’Why does it feel like she’s cursing me? he thought, narrowing his eyes. ’That smile...that look in her eyes... there’s something dangerous behind it.
"Mr. Harper, here," Noah handed him a tissue.
Justin accepted it, still feeling unsettled as he glanced back at the screen.
Noah, who had also been watching the conference, gently reminded, "Mr. Harper, Ms. Natalie still hasn’t gone to the police station to file that missing person report for her husband, as per our original plan."
Justin’s expression darkened, his demeanor turning icy as Noah continued, "If we do find him, what’s the plan? What are we going to do with him?"
Justin didn’t hesitate, his voice as cold as steel. "Kill him."
Noah flinched at the bluntness of the response. "But... he’s her husband."
"Dead men don’t talk," Justin replied, his tone final and void of any emotion.
Noah swallowed hard. He knew this side of Justin all too well—the side that didn’t hesitate to take drastic measures. There was no doubt in his mind that Justin was fully capable of killing his own step-sister’s husband without a second thought.
"But what if Ms. Natalie doesn’t want you to—"
"She has no say in this," Justin cut him off, his cold tone leaving no room for argument.
Noah exhaled softly, shaking his head. God bless that poor man. He messed with the wrong person’s sister.
Justin’s gaze remained fixed on the screen. The conference had ended, and he watched as Natalie walked alongside Victor, heading toward her office.
The memory of Victor offering Natalie a friendly hug when he arrived at the press conference still lingered in Justin’s mind.
"Who is that idiot?" Justin asked, his tone sharp.
"Mr. Harper, you’ve been out of the country all the while, and since you don’t care much for the entertainment industry, it makes sense you wouldn’t know him. That man is Victor Ried, the superstar—soon to be a global sensation," Noah replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "Ms. Natalie has played her best card available. She is truly smart. No wonder she is your sister."
At this, the aura around Justin shifter drastically, and glared at his loyal assistant, "Do not call her my sister."
Noah taken aback by this, immediately lowered his head. "I..am sorry, Mr Harper. I forgot this is to be kept secret for a while longer."
"Your bonus for this year is cut to the half," Justin declared.
"B-But I just apologised...." he swallowed rest his words, as he noticed Justin’s darkened gaze. "I will never call her as your sister."
Justin, satisfied by his words, looked back at the screen.
"Are there no female superstars in this country for her to hire instead of that hedgehog? Get me his details."
Knowing what exactly his boss meant, Noah awkwardly cleared his throat, fearing for another man’s life. "Mr Harper, Ms Natalie has already placed her bet on him. It wouldn’t be wise to mess with it."
Hearing it, Justin calmed down. "Tell John, if that bastard tries to get any closer to Natalie than he should, John is allowed to knock him out. I’ll handle the rest."
"Ms. Natalie..."
"She knows what not to do," Justin cut in, his tone decisive.
Noah stared at Justin for a while. It’s been a while since he saw Justin like this, seeing him slowly turning to what Justin had left behind before returning to this country, but now Noah felt worried.
Is this really just brotherly possessiveness toward his step-sister, or... Noah shook his head, trying to rid himself of any inappropriate thoughts. ’But she can truly bring the worst out of him.’