CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: NATALIE VAUGHN ACTS CUTE

Natalie Vaughn doesn’t have a taste for mild things, like spicy foods or stimulating drinks. However, she’s had a sensitive throat since childhood; a little indulgence would lead to inflammation.

As a result, she was forced by her family to drink milk since she was young. Although she didn’t necessarily like it, over the years, drinking milk had become a habit for her.

Phoebe Quinn naturally knew about this habit, but given the choice between alcohol and milk, abandoning alcohol was something Natalie Vaughn would never do in the past. Despite her poor alcohol tolerance, she loved the taste of alcohol so much that she even took a course in mixology just to satisfy her craving.

Everyone knew who Natalie Vaughn’s current actions were for.

Zane Thorne noticed how unusually compliant Natalie was to him and raised an eyebrow, taking the initiative to ask.

"How’s your wound?"

So the reason her alcohol was taken away was because of her injury.

Natalie Vaughn couldn’t help but smile. Growing up, she suffered many injuries practicing karate but never made a big deal out of it. Thus, she didn’t restrict herself and never really learned to properly care for her body.

James Vaughn used to nag her about this, which she found annoying. But today, when Zane Thorne did it, she felt a bit happy inside. Natalie thought to herself, perhaps she was also someone who forgot friends when she saw someone attractive.

"Still hurts," she said.

Natalie’s pouting came effortlessly, and she wasn’t bothered by the people watching. She stretched her hand out in front of Zane Thorne, batting her eyelashes and pursing her lips, genuinely putting on a pitiful face.

Felix Langdon saw this and for the first time, was blatantly surprised. Of course, he had never seen Natalie faking obedience before; such a contrast was indeed eye-opening.

Phoebe Quinn, however, was already used to it.

Her Nina could always switch her "obedient" act on and off at will.

And Zane Thorne?

He turned his head to look at the girl beside him. The light was dim, yet her eyes shone like stars, always managing to capture all attention. Indeed, those were beguiling peach blossom eyes. Even though he knew Natalie was pretending, he still chose to walk right into her trap.

He followed along with her words.

"Still hurts?"

"Yes, would you blow it for me?"

Natalie’s voice grew softer, like flowing water.

Felix Langdon: ...

Phoebe Quinn: ...

Can’t bear to watch, really can’t bear to watch.

Yet Natalie didn’t have the slightest awareness; her attention was solely on Zane Thorne. She knew he knew she was pretending, but so what? Very few could resist her act of faking obedience and pouting.

Apparently, Zane Thorne was one of those few.

"If you know it hurts and still insist on drinking alcohol, aren’t you just asking for it?"

At these words, Felix Langdon couldn’t hold back his laughter, and even Phoebe Quinn was startled by Zane Thorne’s straightforwardness.

Natalie Vaughn: ...

She hadn’t really anticipated this kind of response, yet hearing it left her a bit disappointed. Did her act of pretending have zero impact on Zane Thorne?

Perhaps she did have too high expectations of Zane Thorne.

She withdrew her hand, a rare bit of awkwardness showing on her face. Damn, she had lost face in front of Yana and Felix Langdon. Natalie snorted, thinking how Zane Thorne, a thirty-year-old bachelor, still needed family-arranged blind dates; perhaps there was a reason for it.

Seeing Natalie’s displeased expression, a hint of amusement flashed in Zane Thorne’s eyes.

The waiter soon brought over the milk, which Zane Thorne took and handed to Natalie. She, in her sulk, ignored it.

Zane raised an eyebrow and, unfazed, placed the milk in front of her.

The moment the cup touched the table, making a sound, Natalie spoke up.

"I want to drink alcohol."

Phoebe and Felix, who were watching the drama unfold, almost burst into laughter.

Indeed, how could the Vaughn family’s eldest daughter stand losing face in front of others?

Felix Langdon’s gaze flickered back and forth between Zane Thorne and Natalie Vaughn, thinking that Mr. Thorne may have encountered someone who knows how to push back. But, he wasn’t siding with Zane Thorne; after all, the words he said earlier would’ve angered any woman. Felix was keen to see how things would develop next.

He turned to ask Phoebe Quinn.

"Has your sister-in-law always been this assertive?"

Phoebe laughed affectionately, her eyes filled with fondness.

"She always makes sure others are just as upset if she’s not happy."

To outsiders, Natalie Vaughn might seem too proud, stubborn, or willful, but in Phoebe Quinn’s eyes, she absolutely adored Natalie’s nature of prioritizing her own feelings above all else.

She would share joy and directly express displeasure. The reason for her being so well-behaved in front of the elders was simply that she cared about her family and was willing to go along with them.

In life, you only live once; why not live more freely?

Zane Thorne frowned.

"You can’t drink alcohol."

Natalie Vaughn snorted, glaring at Zane Thorne coldly.

"Who are you to say whether I can or cannot drink?"

Zane felt a headache coming on, knowing he had gone too far in teasing. This young lady really didn’t want to concede even a little.

But indeed, the fault lay with him.

He pressed his lips into a line and subconsciously wanted to pull out a cigarette, but seeing Natalie, he restrained himself.

When had Zane Thorne ever spoiled anyone before?

Felix Langdon knew Zane’s character, which is why he was so eager to see how things would unfold next.

Two equally proud people together, eventually, one had to compromise.

With Zane Thorne staying silent, Natalie got up, intending to go downstairs to the bar herself. Those people downstairs were still there, making it not the best time for Natalie to go out. Felix understood this; he wanted to say something to stop her but swallowed his words.

He had mentioned it briefly on the phone earlier; Zane was aware too.

He was genuinely curious if Zane Thorne would be the one to compromise first.

The atmosphere in the private room was oddly tense, and coincidentally, Theodore Langdon had just finished singing, making the space unusually quiet.

Only the sound of Natalie’s high heels clicking could be heard.

In a burgundy top and fitted jeans, Natalie’s figure was beautifully outlined. A little exposed shoulder added a touch of allure, her straight back, long neck, all exuding a pride that refused to bow down.

Just as the door opened, Zane Thorne spoke up.

In the end, it was the proud scion who yielded first.

"Drink the milk, and I’ll blow on it."

Zane Thorne’s voice was awkward, and his use of repetition sounded especially clumsy and strange coming from him, yet it was enough to leave everyone in awe.

Felix Langdon couldn’t help but chuckle, and Phoebe Quinn gave Natalie a thumbs up, while Natalie let go of the door handle.

She turned around, unable to see Zane Thorne’s expression, but with such an obvious compromise, it seemed like his expression wouldn’t be very good either.

Natalie was smart; she knew where the line was. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t have shown even a hint of mercy, but the opponent was Zane Thorne, her future man.

Such a compromise was enough to please her; there was no need to stubbornly continue opposing him.

So Natalie walked back, and even from the sound of her high heels, one could sense the Vaughn family heiress’s delight.

Natalie sat down beside Zane Thorne, picked up the milk on the table, and looked at him with a smile, drinking it sip by sip while maintaining eye contact.

Zane Thorne shifted the hand at his side as he looked into Natalie’s eyes and then looked away.

This young lady sure knew how to manipulate feelings.

As for blowing on it, Natalie thought, there’s no rush for that moment. What she wanted was Zane Thorne’s attitude. Besides, if he really did blow on it in front of others, it wouldn’t just be Zane losing face, she’d feel embarrassed too.