CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113: MRS. THORNE, ARE YOU READY?

When Zane Thorne walked in, Natalie Vaughn had already finished her makeup and changed clothes, and the stylist was just about to put a necklace on her.

Seeing Zane, the stylist, with keen perception, set down what she was holding, gave a slight bow, and then exited the room.

Zane was wearing a black suit today, as it was his first appearance as CEO of GN Group, and his Windsor Knot showed he took it seriously.

However, on him, the suit was not a symbol of seriousness and constraint but rather blended his wildness and defiance into the entire black suit.

Just describing him as a CEO or an elite seemed too simplistic. Saying he was a domineering CEO would be more accurate; he certainly was domineering.

But Natalie thought that he was even more like a mafia boss than a domineering CEO, especially in that moment when his brow arched slightly, and wildness overflowed. Given that GN Group’s main focus was the racing industry, having such an arrogant president seemed quite fitting.

After all, with the times changing, must a president always hold a strictly formal image?

Natalie couldn’t look away; she’d seen many people in suits before—her father, her brother, others—but it was the first time she’d seen someone wear it with such pride.

Meeting the gaze of the man in the mirror, Natalie felt a tremor in her heart. The slight smile in those deep eyes softened the coldness within them.

Natalie recalled how, after Zane’s conversation with Felix Langdon at the hotel yesterday, the heaviness stayed on him that she could sense from afar, yet now there was not a trace of it.

He didn’t want her to know about the past...

Thinking of this, Natalie reached out to grab the man’s hand.

"Is this the ’just dropping by’ you mentioned?"

She merely wanted to comfortably watch a showcase race. Zane turned her hand in his grip, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I appreciate your effort, Mrs. Thorne, you look beautiful."

With that, Zane lowered his head and placed a kiss on her hand.

Natalie’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she awkwardly withdrew her hand from his grip. This rascal dressed so impeccably, spoke sweetly, and even mimicked a gentleman’s gesture of kissing her hand.

Why was it so odd?

Natalie raised her chin slightly, giving a proud hum, revealing her white and slender neck which was noticeably bare.

Zane picked up the necklace from the table to help Natalie put it on, but he clearly hadn’t done such a task before. His movements were clumsy and awkward, and after a long while, not only did he fail to fasten it, but also rubbed the skin on the back of her neck red.

The man’s fingers were especially warm, while the skin that the woman revealed was cool, and this friction sent a shiver through Natalie.

"Can you do it? If not, I’ll do it myself."

Lowering his gaze, Zane saw Natalie’s reddened ear tips, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

"I have to get it done."

Natalie was wearing a white spaghetti strap gown, showing off her exquisite collarbones and elegant shoulder and neck line. The diamond necklace further accentuated her fair, delicate, and luminous skin.

The stylist paired it with a beige fur shawl, giving it a somewhat mature vibe, yet because of Natalie’s face, it added a bit of playfulness.

Natalie couldn’t help but poke the flesh on her cheek, not a lot, but enough to add a touch of youth, along with her amorous almond eyes, rendering her simple attire exceptionally captivating.

Zane couldn’t resist placing a kiss on her neck.

"Mrs. Thorne, are you ready?"

Ready to enter the kingdom he built, ready to become the mistress of his domain.

Natalie slightly turned her head, extended her hand, waiting graciously and elegantly. Fulfilling her wish, Zane took her hand and helped her stand up.

One in black, one in white.

Even wearing high heels, Natalie was half a head shorter than Zane, appearing particularly petite beside him.

The man noticed her shoes, his brow furrowing.

"Change your shoes."

"I can’t."

It was her first time attending an event as Mrs. Thorne, and she couldn’t disgrace herself. Zane didn’t understand what Natalie was thinking, only that her back injury from a few days ago would surely make wearing high heels uncomfortable.

"Aren’t you concerned about your back? You need to take good care of yourself."

Two days ago, Natalie learned from Mrs. Thorne that in past years, Zane had indulged in smoking and drinking and often pulled all-nighters. So, where did Zane get the standing to say this?

Of course, Natalie wasn’t about to mention to Zane how she secretly talked to Mrs. Thorne to understand his preferences better. Instead, she took Zane’s hand, placing it on her waist.

"Then just support me properly and don’t use too much strength."

The man arched an eyebrow and looked down at Natalie’s waist; this little one sure knew how to command him.

"It’s about time, Mrs. Thorne, shall we go?"

Natalie arrogantly tilted her chin, hooking her arm through his.

"Let’s go, my dear."

Natalie turned her head to glance at Zane, giving him a gentle smile.

"Mr. CEO."

Everyone had taken their seats at the press conference, with Genevieve Joyce leading the project entirely, and even in discussions with the government, Zane hadn’t been present once.

Everyone there, all the media, and every livestream audience, were curious about the legendary leader of GN Group.

Natalie wasn’t fond of attending various parties, but as the eldest daughter of the Vaughn Family, some occasions were unavoidable; thus, even though it was her first time attending such a formal press conference, she wasn’t the least bit fazed.

Media flashes never stopped, with all attention naturally on Natalie and Zane. Natalie maintained a soft smile, nodding in greeting to those who approached.

The others were even more curious about Zane; this was his stage, and she just needed to obediently stand by his side.

Zane, too, very considerately kept his arm around her waist, ensuring she leaned on him as much as possible—an action that drew much praise from onlookers.

"President Thorne and Mrs. Thorne are truly in love."

Zane only showed a hint of a smile upon hearing these words; everyone there was sharp enough to see this and praised Natalie to the skies.

Through the government officials’ reactions, Natalie realized even more GN Group’s position and how much importance this project had in Veridia.

She hadn’t expected her rascal of a man to be this impressive.

Even though Natalie had already mastered the art of feigning demure and ladylike, maintaining such a smile was tiring. Finally, she couldn’t help but loosen herself, leaning against Zane.

"Tired?"

Zane asked, looking down.

Natalie pinched him on the waist, gritting her teeth.

"I came here to watch a race!"

Unruffled, Zane removed her pinching hand from his waist.

"Soon."

After he spoke, he looked over at Genevieve, who, understanding, sped up the entire process.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome with enthusiastic applause the top racers for today’s showcase race!"

Perhaps love extended to what was associated with it, Natalie gradually found racing appealing. When the various colorful race cars and motorcycles lined up for the event, her mood finally lifted.

But as Zane spotted a certain figure on the field, a frown crossed his face.

Genevieve stepped forward, the man lowered his voice.

"Where’s Miles Rhodes?"

"President Thorne, Chairman Rhodes’s flight got delayed; he’ll only be here this evening."

Zane responded with a hum, saying nothing more, but the frown on his face remained.