To get back at Arthur for disrespecting Morris, Nathalie didn''t hold back-she

threw him under the bus with a smile. "Don''t be too hard on him, Mrs. Sharp. He''s just grumpy because he lost the project to me and wants to take it out on someone."

The moment she said it, both Mrs. Sharp and Arthur''s faces went stiff.

Arthur had always been the golden boy among his peers. For him to lose to Nathalie meant the Sharp family would have to look elsewhere if they wanted to outshine the Stewarts.

Still in a yful mood, Nathalie shot Arthur a mischievous warning. "People who don''t respect my cousin Nathan never end up well, you know."

Arthur red at her, eyes zing, like he might lunge across the table.fn1f13 Th?s chapter is updated by find{n}ovel/fn1f13

Mrs. Sharp, though rattled, kept her cool. She forced a chilly smile. "Arthur, Ashley is ady. Letting her have the project was the gentlemanly thing to do. Good job." Her tone was anything but warm.

Morris patted the seat beside him. "Nathalie,e sit here."

Nathalie slid into the chair next to him.

Across the table, Mrs. Sharp watched them. The way Morris looked at Nathalie_

so gentle, so obvious-softened Mrs. Sharp''s frosty demeanor.

She caught on quickly: Morris was clearly interested in Nathalie.

If her grandson fancied such a smart and spirited girl, maybe that wasn''t a bad thing after all.

Her voice brightened as she turned to Nathalie. "Thest time I met Ashley, it was so brief, but I remember thinking how clever and charming she was. I even asked around about her afterward, and only just learned you''re the daughter of Jules''s old friend."

She paused, her tone turning just a shade more curious. "So, Ashley, is there someone you like?"

Nathalie nodded. "Yes."

Mrs. Sharp looked a bit disappointed. "And who''s the lucky young man?"

Nathalie nced at Morris. Under the table, she suddenly grabbed his hand.

Morris nearly Jumped out of his skin. He met Nathalie''s eyes-there was a stubborn, fierce spark in them he''d never seen before. He guessed what she was about to do and tried to wriggle his hand free, but Nathalie wouldn''t let go. She shot him a look that said clear as day: Don''t even think about it.  s

Her face was a whole show in itself.

Morris couldn''t help it-heughed softly and gave up fighting her.

Fine. Let her do whatever she wanted. He''d spoil her while he still could.

Nathalie boldly lifted their joined hands above the table and shed Mrs. Sharp a bashful, sweet smile. "Mrs. Sharp, I like him. But he hasn''t agreed to be my boyfriend yet, so from today, I''m going to chase after him."

Mrs. Sharp nearly lit up with joy, but before she could say anything, Greta''s voice crashed in and killed the mood.

"My little sister used to pine after Cameron, wouldn''t leave him alone for a second. She ruined my rtionship with him, even tried get pregnant just to tie him down. And now she''s already moved on Wow, Nathalie, you fall in and out of love faster than anyone know."  s

Mrs. Sharp''s face froze, her smile suddenly stiff and awkward.

Nathalie gently let go of Morris''s hand.

But this time, Morris was the one who reached out and held her tight.

Mrs. Sharp noticed and started to worry-was her grandson falling too hard, too fast?

Her attitude toward Nathalie shifted,

just a little. "So Ashley likes my Nathan? That''s nice to hear. But my Nathan is pretty reserved-most

girls dont catches eye wonder if Ashley has what it takes to win him over." . s