"You only dare to bully me, Jared. Have you seen yourself, bowing and scraping to others?" she challenged. "But I''m not going to let you bully me anymore. You think I''m not worthy? What have you aplished yourself? If I weren''t worthy, would Matthew''spany have signed with us? Would he have bought my design, given it to Sebastian, and then had Sebastian partner with me? What exactly does ''not worthy'' mean, Jared?"


    Jared scoffed, looking her up and down with a sneer. "I think you just giarized someone else''s work. Natalie, you were a housewife for two years and never even went to college. Don''t I know exactly what you''re capable of?"


    "Excuse me, Mr. Scott, what''s wrong with being a housewife?" a cool,manding voice cut in. "Does a housewife contribute less than you do? Without their sacrifices, would men like you have the polished exterior you present to the world?" Matthew''s tone was icy and intimidating.


    Jared had been back for a few days and had heard about Yaro''s rising star. Recognizing Matthew, his expression faltered. "Mr. Monroe, I was just telling the truth. Natalie really doesn''t know anything."


    He took in Matthew''s striking features, an elegance thatpletely overshadowed him. Matthew, however, knew just how brilliant Natalie was; it was the Scotts who were blind.


    Natalie turned to Matthew and offered a bright smile. "Mr. Monroe, what are you doing here?"


    Matthew''s tall frame moved to stand in front of her, protectively. "Didn''t we agree I''d drive you to and from work? Let''s go. We''re having dinner at my restaurant tonight. The seafood you brought backst time? I had the chef prepare all of it for today."


    Natalie smiled. "Great! My grandfather is out of town, so I was going to be eating alone."


    Matthew''s smile deepened. His own grandfather had just called, telling him to take Natalie out to dinner. Even if he hadn''t, Matthew would have done it anyway. He led her to a luxury car parked at the curb, and Natalie got in without a second nce at Jared.


    Jared watched her leave, a knot of frustration tightening in his chest. She wasn''t even divorced yet, and she was already this close to Matthew? With a face like that, she was clearly just seducing men, everywhere. Fuming, he stalked off.


    Matthew''s restaurant wasn''t far, located in an alley behind her office, and it was always bustling. The second floor was reservation only. He led Natalie to a table by the


    window They didn''t need to order,.


    Orderin


    they just had to wait. Matthew


    poured her a cup of tea.


    "Thank you," Natalie said, smiling as she gazed out at the beautiful sunset.


    Matthew smiled back warmly. "Natalie, you call me Mr. Monroe, but you don''t have to be so formal."


    "Alright, I won''t be from now on." In truth, Natalie wanted to be friends with him.


    He took out a gift box and handed it to her. "Natalie, my grandfather bought this bracelet for you at an auction abroad. He asked me to give it to you."


    Natalie was touched and a little stunned. She hadn''t even met his grandfather, but she couldn''t refuse the old man''s kindness. "Please thank your grandfather for me."


    She epted the box with both hands and opened it. Her eyes widened in shock. "The Crystal Dream."


    Matthew was surprised she recognized it. "Yes. I didn''t know you were familiar with it, Natalie."


    Her expression tensed slightly, her


    grip on the velvet box tightening.


    "Mr.


    She tried to sound casual after


    er do you also think that after


    Monroed


    a few years as a housewife, Pdon''t know anything?"