Chapter 174 Protect Me Or Ruin Me sen tried to lighten the mood . alie , this is your favorite cappuccino . Try it ! They say the coffee here is really good ; I'd meaning to ask you out for one , but I just never found the time ." poke , his voice trailed off . new better than anyone whether it was truly a lack of time . talie answered coolly , " Mr. Jensen , I've never liked coffee . What I enjoy is black tea . " At those words , Jensen froze . His mind flashed back to their time at Lanju ; Natalie had indeed liked to steep a pot of tea on the balcony and drink alone .
But every time he came home , she would grind the beans herself and brew him a cup of coffee . So why was I only realizing it now ? Even during those five years , she never truly drank with him -she'd take a sip at most , then set it aside . And in all that time , he never once noticed that she didn't even like coffee . Jensen's throat tightened ; he had no idea what to say . Natalie looked at his expression , a cold laugh curling in her heart at her own past foolishness . Now , seeing Jensen like this only made her feel disgust .
From the corner of her eye , Natalie caught sight of reporters already lurking outside . She quickly smoothed her expression and said evenly , " Mr. Jensen , let's get to the point . I hope you'll stop spreading lies about our relationship online . As far as I know , you're a married man . When you stand in front of reporters and claim I'm your lover , what exactly do you mean by that? Do you want the public to attack me as the mistress in your marriage , force me out of the design industry ?
" If her tone before had been restrained , this time her words were razor - sharp ; she left Jensen no room to hide or retreat . His eyes widened in shock . 1/3 " Natalie , what are you saying ? How could I ever treat you that way? " By then , Natalie saw that the reporters had reached the café's entrance . Her eyes flickered ; the guards at the door immediately let them through . Her voice rang out in the same instant . " Oh ? Then what you're saying , Mr. Jensen , is that you never intended to destroy me ? " " Of course ! I'd ruin anyone in this world before I'd ever ruin you !
" Jensen blurted the words , terrified she might walk away from him forever if he hesitated . Natalie only let out a cold laugh , leaning back in her chair before speaking . " Then Mr. Jensen isn't married ? The name on your marriage certificate isn't mine ? " Her words struck Jensen like a hand around his throat ; he couldn't force a sound out . His face flushed , his voice strained as he said , " Natalie , you know - it was never about loving Sharon . It's not what you think . The only woman I've ever wanted to marry in this life is you ." " Mr. Jensen !
" Natalie cut him off before he could launch into another declaration . " Let me clarify a few things . First , whoever you choose to marry is your business , not mine ; I have no right to interfere , and you certainly don't owe me an explanation . Second , you and I are not close enough for you to casually say you want to marry me - otherwise my husband might get the wrong idea . Third , every design I created under the name Ms. Sunny was never licensed to you , nor entrusted to Luke Corp for sale .
So over the past five years , every cent earned from my work - please prepare a full accounting , and have your lawyer contact mine to return it as soon as possible . " Her words lit a fire under Jensen . " Natalie , even now , you won't admit who you are ? If you weren't my Natalie , how could I have five years ' worth of your designs ? Five years ago , I was the one who took you out of the Summers family and fell in love with you . Every design you made was to help me secure my position in Luke Corp , wasn't it ?
You told me you were willing to stand behind me ; you told me everything of yours was mine . That's why we never signed any licensing agreements- because putting something like that on paper would have cheapened our love ." " Oh ? " 2/3 From her angle , Natalie caught the reporters ' astonished expressions perfectly . Her lips curved into the faintest smile . " If everything you're saying is true - if I really did spend five years in love with you , working tirelessly to help you secure Luke Corp - then tell me , Mr. Jensen , why in all that time did never once make our relationship public ?
" you " That was because so many shareholders in Luke Corp still opposed me . I needed you - Ms . Sunny's name - to hold them in check . Not making our relationship public was to protect you . Natalie , you have no idea how ruthless those shareholders are . Five years ago I pulled you out of the Summers family's mud ; how could I ever let you suffer again because of me ? " 3/3