Leah's face changed dramatically. "You... what on earth are you saying!"
"The truth." Hayden Sheffield's gaze was dark and cold. "Natalie Jennings offering you tea is already giving you enough respect. If you still nitpick, what's the point of drinking this tea?"
If not for Grandpa's sake, and the fact that he had no feelings for Natalie Jennings, he wouldn't have even let Leah have this tea ceremony.
Otherwise, Leah wouldn't even deserve to attend—she really thinks she's something!
Natalie Jennings understood too—Hayden wasn't defending her; he simply couldn't stand his stepmother occupying his mother's place!
Seeing the tension escalate, Natalie spoke gently, "Honey, I'm fine. I heard all upper-class families have tense mother-in-law relationships, but I thought the Sheffield family would be different. Guess I was too naive."
This was clearly a jab, mocking Leah for being narrow-minded!
Then Natalie calmly picked up another cup of tea. "Mother-in-law, why don't you have some tea to calm your nerves?"
Hayden frowned. What was Natalie up to?
He'd just smashed a teacup, and she was offering tea again. Was she trying to embarrass him?
Leah was baffled too.
But since Natalie handed her a way out, Leah took it. There'd be plenty of chances to deal with her later!
Leah reached for the teacup, deliberately giving Hayden a smug smile.
But before she could get a firm grip, Natalie abruptly let go.
Scalding tea spilled all over Leah's body and hands.
"Oops!" Natalie cried out in fake alarm. "Mother-in-law, how can you be so careless! You're getting older, shaky hands are normal. Where are the tissues, let me help you wipe off."
Leah's face twisted with rage. "You did that on purpose!"
Natalie looked all innocence, but a sly glint flashed in her eyes. "How could I dare?"
Hayden, standing at the side, watched the whole thing unfold and saw it all clearly.
Leah shot up with fury, but Master Sheffield spoke up, "Enough. It's a small thing—no need for shouting."
She could only endure it—for now!
Natalie shot Hayden a proud wink.
Not a bad move, right? Sometimes you have to use surprise tactics!
Just then, Hayden's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and turned to leave, "I have to take this call."
As soon as he left, Natalie made an excuse and headed to the bathroom.
Standing in front of the sink, she looked at the skin on the back of her hand, reddened by the burn.
When she splashed the tea on Leah, she hadn't avoided scalding her own hand either.
But nobody noticed—not even Hayden.
Natalie curled her lips. What was she expecting anyway? He was just a contract husband; as if he'd truly care.
Leaving the bathroom, Natalie realized... she was lost.
This old manor was just too big, courtyards everywhere, like a labyrinth.
She circled a few times and was about to ask a maid for directions when she heard a low male voice in a corner—
"Who do you trust, me or those news reports?"
Natalie started in surprise. That was Hayden's voice!
She quietly approached, seeing Hayden on his phone, head slightly down, fingers tapping the railing.
"Just focus on recovering abroad. When the time's right, I'll come get you."
"Violet, that Mrs. Sheffield title will be yours sooner or later. Her? She's just keeping your seat warm for now."
Natalie had never expected to accidentally uncover a secret like this.
So her existence was just to pave the way for another woman?
Was this woman who Hayden truly loved? Why didn't he just marry her in the first place?
Natalie wanted to sneak away, but as she turned, a few maids happened to walk by.
Hayden, hearing the noise, looked up and spotted her.
Nowhere to escape, nowhere to hide!
Natalie's mind raced. She deliberately said loudly, "Where's the living room? This courtyard's layout is just way too confusing..."
"Ma'am," a maid replied, "let me show you the way."
"Great, thanks."
"Wait," Hayden hung up the call and stepped out from the shadows, eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Natalie Jennings?"
Natalie glanced over. "Oh? Honey, you're here? I got lost after using the restroom. If I'd known you were here, I wouldn't have asked the maids for help."
With this explanation, Hayden's suspicions faded away.
"Let's go home." One hand in his pocket, he strode ahead. "The tea ceremony's over."
Natalie caught up. "Leaving just like that? Isn't it a bit inappropriate?"
"If I say we can, then we can."
Fine, he was always this domineering, his word final.
"So," Natalie clung onto his arm, "about lending me a few bodyguards—do I get them now?"
"How many do you need?"
"Ten! The more, the mightier!"
Hayden didn't answer, just glanced at their entwined arms.
Natalie immediately smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeve. "Just getting used to it. Next time, I'll keep my hands to myself unless you allow it."
"Go find the butler—he'll assign ten bodyguards to you."
Hayden bent down and got in the car, heading for Sterling Group.
Natalie wasted no time. After collecting the bodyguards, she charged straight for Peter Lowe's house, full of momentum!
The grudge against the Jennings family and the resentment about the drugged incense—she'd settle them all today!
At the Lowe family's door.
The security guards tried to stop them, but Natalie, adhering to the "less talking, more action" policy, was ready to start a fight. The lead bodyguard declared, "You dare lay a finger on Mrs. Sheffield? Better think about how many lives you've got."
The situation flipped instantly. The guards opened the door and welcomed her in with respect.
Natalie raised an eyebrow—Hayden's name sure had pull!
He didn't even have to be here; just his title was enough to cow everyone!
She walked to the door of the villa, then suddenly stopped and instructed, "You guys go in first. Grab some sacks and cover anyone inside for me."
"Yes, ma'am."
Natalie heard a cacophony of noise inside. Two minutes later, silence fell.
Fast—these bodyguards really were professionals.
She entered the living room and saw three people forced to the floor, hands ziptied behind them, with sacks over their heads.
Peter Lowe, Leo Lowe... who else?
Just then, an angry voice came from the sack on the far right. "Do you idiots know who I am? You grabbed me too? Are you blind? Try me—I'll kill you! I'm Terrence Sheffield!"
Well, well, outing yourself already.
Terrence Sheffield—that's Leah's son!
Wait a minute, why would Terrence be in Peter Lowe's house?
Could it be... the Jennings family fiasco was Terrence and Peter's doing?
Natalie's eyes sharpened. She marched over and kicked Terrence hard a couple of times to vent her anger.
Then, pinching her voice, she disguised it and asked, "I've heard of you. You bankrupted the whole Jennings family—not bad."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Drop the act. You and Peter teamed up to ruin the Jennings family, thought you could cover it up?"
"I don't know what you're saying," Terrence barked. "Peter! I only came here to have some tea with you today! What the hell is this? You'd better explain yourself!"
Peter was shaking so hard he could barely speak. "I-I-I have no idea either..."
Natalie stomped on Peter's back. "Still lying, huh?"
"The mistress of the Jennings family is my blood sister! Why would I ever hurt my own family?"
"Fine, so you won't talk." Natalie laughed coldly. "You only have one son, Leo. If he gets his manhood broken—no heirs for you..."
Before Peter could speak, Leo started bawling, "No, no! I'll talk! The Jennings family's bankruptcy had nothing to do with Third Young Master—it was all sanctioned by the eldest, Hayden Sheffield!"