CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 117: PLANNING A SURPRISE FOR YOUR MR. THORNE

The private room was spacious, apart from Felix Langdon and Natalie Vaughn, everyone present was into racing. Although Felix wasn’t a professional, being Zane Thorne’s brother, he knew a bit about it, so the conversation revolved around racing.

Someone mentioned how they got a car from somewhere and wanted Zane to help modify it; another talked about a race happening in a few days in some country; then there were the dirty tricks in the racing world....

Though Natalie didn’t quite understand, she had heard Phoebe Quinn’s droning in high school, now listening here was quite intriguing.

Zane was born for racing, his lips constantly curled up in a smile among this group, occasionally sharing his insights, and kicking someone whenever they said something silly. This felt the same as when Natalie first accompanied him to the club.

As long as it was related to racing, Zane’s mood would relax.

He was wearing a black sweater, lounging lazily in the main seat, drinking occasionally, seemingly indifferent, yet he could join in any conversation people were having. At one point, he turned his head, lifted his eyelids, and looked at Natalie to ask.

"Bored?"

Looking at the laughter hidden in his eyes, Natalie couldn’t bring herself to interrupt his joy, shook her head, and reached out to scratch his palm.

"I find it quite interesting."

Zane took the opportunity to hold her hand and didn’t let go, and when someone handed him a cigarette, he took it but didn’t light it.

Someone, sharp-eyed, noticed their clasped hands and made a teasing remark.

"Mr. Thorne, you and your wife are so lovey-dovey, even having to hold hands like that."

Natalie’s face turned red, but she didn’t intend to pull away. She and Zane were openly husband and wife, what’s wrong with holding hands?

If it was someone else, Natalie would have already started bragging or snapping back, but these were Zane’s friends, Zane’s brothers, this was Zane’s territory.

Natalie looked at the man beside her, this dependent attitude towards Zane brought chuckles from those around, and when Zane saw Natalie’s look, his heart trembled.

He knew Natalie’s temperament, so he understood what her current behavior meant.

This little lady, how could she not make one’s heart flutter? Thinking this, Zane tightened his grip on Natalie’s hand.

"Get lost, you dare joke around with me like this."

The smile on Zane’s lips was unstoppable, his demeanor not as intimidating as before, the person wasn’t afraid and cheerfully took out a lighter to light Zane’s cigarette.

"Mr. Thorne doesn’t have a hand, but I do, I do, haha."

Zane gave him a look but left it as is, without planning to smoke it, letting it burn for a bit while the man skillfully flicked the ash.

He bantered with others while occasionally rubbing Natalie’s hand.

Natalie noticed the cigarette untouched between his fingers, warming her heart. Zane remembered she didn’t like the smell of smoke, that cigarette wasn’t his usual brand, he knew she couldn’t stand it, so he kept his hand on the table, trying to stay away from her.

He was reminiscing with his brothers, while also looking after her feelings.

Thinking this, Natalie reached out and hooked his palm again.

"I’m going over there to play games with Jay Sterling and the others, you guys chat."

Zane gave her a deep look before finally letting go, and as Natalie got up to head over, Zane flicked the ash and put the cigarette in his mouth.

Shannon Rhodes had been silently watching from the side, and seeing how considerate and detailed Zane was in taking care of Natalie, she felt an indescribable sadness, but also completely understood one thing.

Feelings can never be forced.

She used to think a person like Zane had only racing and dreams in his eyes, that he had no room for women or love. He was cold and unfeeling towards women, not caring how his actions hurt others. She thought Zane didn’t understand love.

But she was wrong.

Zane wasn’t incapable of love; he simply hadn’t met the one who would make him love sincerely.

Shannon downed her drink in one go; she knew she had to let it go completely.

Miles Rhodes noticed his sister’s unusual demeanor and turned to look at her, a trace of heartache flashing in his eyes.

"You haven’t let go yet?"

Shannon shook her head.

"Brother, I have let go."

Still, she was curious about what charm Natalie had to captivate someone like Zane. Thinking this, Shannon looked towards the game area where Natalie was already playing around with Jay Sterling and the others.

Young, vibrant, beautiful.

Shannon’s heart skipped, drawn in by Natalie’s captivating peach blossom eyes, and found herself walking over. As she got closer, she saw Natalie whispering to Jay Sterling.

"Jennings, can you ride a motorcycle?"

"Nina, of course I can, I’m a little expert."

After playing games for a while, their relationship had become closer.

Natalie’s eyes twinkled, since Jay could, the task she needed to do would be much easier.

"Then can you teach me? But don’t tell your Mr. Thorne about this."

Jay raised an eyebrow.

"Nina, you want to learn how to ride a motorbike?"

The young man’s excitement raised his voice, and Natalie quickly reached out to cover Jay’s mouth. She applied so much force that Jay couldn’t breathe for a moment, lightly tapping Natalie’s hand, making ’mm mm mm’ noises.

"Keep it quiet, shh!"

Jay nodded quickly, only then did Natalie let go. Jay opened his mouth, taking deep breaths, unable to resist complaining.

"Nina, that’s murder!"

Natalie sheepishly rubbed her nose.

"Sorry, got a bit heavy-handed."

A bit heavy-handed? He nearly suffocated! Nina looked slim, who would’ve thought her strength was that big!

"Nina, why do you want to learn?"

Natalie knew if she didn’t tell Jay, this guy would definitely dig until he got to the bottom of it.

"Planning a surprise for your Mr. Thorne."

Jay: ...

Just got fed some dog food, so annoying!

Seeing the little expression on Jay’s face, Natalie couldn’t help but laugh. Jay was really too much like Theodore Langdon, in both age and personality.

Are all boys of this age like this?

"Nina, I’m willing to teach you, but I have no time, how can I teach you?"

"Aren’t you staying in Veridia?"

"Yes, but I have training."

"Then sneak out."

Jay’s mouth twitched slightly, sneaking out could easily mean a broken leg. Mr. Thorne might be easy-going generally, but when it comes to training, he’s particularly strict.

"Nina, I’ll message you by then. Right, do you have a motorbike?"

Natalie nodded and then shook her head, confusing Jay.

"Your Mr. Thorne gave me one, but it’s in Astra City, not here in Veridia, could you get one for me?"

Jay: ...

Why was he not only supposed to teach her how to ride but also provide a motorbike?

"I’ll transfer you the money, is a million enough? In US Dollars."

Jay’s expression changed suddenly, becoming diligently attentive.

"Nina, don’t worry, leave it to me, I’ll definitely teach you."

Natalie chuckled softly, increasingly finding how much Jay resembled Theodore Langdon.

She raised her eyes towards Zane’s direction, only to accidentally meet Shannon’s gaze.

The smile on Natalie’s lips faded slightly.