“No, because that’s the truth,” Natalie answered expressionlessly.
All at once, Jacqueline’s eyes reddened. “Shane…”
“That’s enough.” The man withdrew his hand from her grasp. “Since the two of you have different stories,
let’s just check the security footage to get to the bottom of this matter.”
Security footage?
Jacqueline’s pupils constricted, and a trace of panic manifested on her face. “There are spy cameras in
the villa?”
Like her, Natalie gaped at Shane in astonishment.
However, it wasn’t because she was surprised about the presence of spy cameras in the villa.
Instead, she wondered how Shane knew about them since she was the one who had installed them, and
she never told him about the matter.
“Daddy, Ms. Graham is panicking! She’s gotten scared after hearing about the security footage!” Connor
exclaimed excitedly while pointing at Jacqueline.
Only then did Jacqueline realize that she had overreacted at hearing about the security footage, so much
so that she had tipped her hand.
For a moment, the woman didn’t quite dare look at Shane. Panicked, she blurted, “Shane, I…”
“You know what? There are no spy cameras in the villa. That was only something I made up to gauge
both of your reactions. I’m very disappointed in you, Jacqueline.”
After saying that, Shane brushed past the woman and headed toward the staircase.
When he walked past Natalie, the latter called out to him, saying, “Shane, did you see the text message I
sent you this morning? Can we talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Having said that coldly, Shane continued walking and went upstairs.
Natalie’s gaze dimmed, and she lowered her eyes. At that moment, she felt physically and mentally
exhausted.
Just then, Jacqueline abruptly whirled around and shot daggers at her. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,
Natalie Smith! I won’t lose even if I’m exposed this time!”
After saying that, she retracted her gaze and trudged upstairs as well.
Thus, only Natalie and the two children were left in the living room then.
While still holding Sharon’s hand, Connor looked up at her. “Mommy, Daddy’s attitude toward us is still
the same. What should we do now?”
Stifling the weariness within her, Natalie reached out and stroked the children’s faces. “It’s okay. Don’t
worry, for I’ll handle it.”
“But…”
Connor seemed to have more to say.
Natalie massaged her temples and cut him off. “Alright, go back to your room first. I need some time
alone to think of a way to patch things up with Daddy.”
“Okay, then.” Connor nodded before dragging Sharon upstairs.
While trudging up the stairs, Sharon whispered, “Connor, are we going to be fatherless again if Daddy
continues treating us in such a manner?”
“No,” Connor replied with a solemn expression on his face. “I’ll also figure out a way to reconcile Daddy
and Mommy. As long as they make up, Daddy will still be our father.”
“Okay, I’ll help, too!” Sharon beamed from ear to ear.
“Let’s go back to our room and think of a way, then.” Connor opened the room door and pulled her into
the room.
Meanwhile, in the study…
Jacqueline anxiously stood before Shane’s desk. “Are you mad at me, Shane?”
“Jacqueline Graham, this is already the second time you tried to frame Natalie. The previous time, you
claimed that it was her who pushed you when you fell on your own accord. And this time, it was also you
who created the entire problem. Not only did you point the finger at Natalie, but you even dragged the
kids into it. When did you become so vicious?” Shane regarded the woman in front of him as though she
was a stranger to him.
Inwardly, Jacqueline panicked for a moment before her expression turned aggrieved. “How could you call
me vicious, Shane? I only did it for your sake.”
“For my sake?” The man’s brows knitted together.
Jacqueline nodded. “Yes. I asked you last night why you’re suddenly so indifferent toward Ms. Smith, and
you told me she’s your enemy, so I wanted to help you out.”
“Are you telling me your so-called help is by using such crude language to hurt two innocent children?”
Shane slammed his hand on the desk.
At his rage, a tremble went through Jacqueline. “I had no choice but to do that. You love Ms. Smith, but
there’s an irreconcilable grudge between the two of you. So, I wanted to have her leave you of her own
volition. That was the only reason I said such things.”
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