Natalie wanted to say she really didn''t want them.


    “Marshall, I''ve already told you, helping you was a small gesture. I have to go out of town for a couple of days, but when I get back, I want to discuss a partnership with you for an overseas deal. With the Spencer family''s influence, we can secure it. You can be the primary distributor, and I''ll be a sub-distributor. We''ll manage our own territories. That will earn me far more than your shares.”


    She refused to be indebted to anyone, which would only put her in a difficult position.


    The Spencer family dynamics were alreadyplicated. The power struggles within these families were bloodless but incredibly vicious.


    "Alright, I can''t argue with you there. I''ll wait for you to contact me when you get back. I''m looking forward to it. I never pass up a good business opportunity."


    Natalie smiled softly. "Great."


    After hanging up, she called Zenobia.


    "Natalie, it''s snowing on the ind! Is it snowing where you are too?" Zenobia sounded cheerful.


    Natalie nced out the window at the heavy flurries.


    "It''s snowing here too, Zenobia. It''s beautiful. How have you been feelingtely?"


    "Natalie, my back has been really sore thest couple of days. The doctor said I could go intobor at any time, but my mom is stuck overseas. The airports are closed because of the snowstorm, and I''m starting to get anxious." Zenobia''s voice was filled with worry.


    "Don''t worry," Natalie said. "I''ll be there tomorrow to keep youpany. If your back is sore, it means the baby ising soon."


    "Oh, that''s wonderful, Natalie! I''ll feel so much better with you here." Zenobia let out a sigh of relief.


    Natalie understood. First-time pregnancies and bing a mother were filled with a unique kind of joy and happiness.


    "Zenobia, don''t you worry. I''ll be there tomorrow. You have everything you need for the baby, right?"


    "I do, Natalie. I have everything I need... except you," Zenobia joked.


    But she really did need someone by her side.


    As a single mother, she knew she might face all sorts ofplications duringbor.


    She would have to endure the judgment of others, not to mention the fear of childbirth itself. She was genuinely nervous.


    Natalie chatted with her for a few more minutes before hanging up.


    It was still early. She went upstairs to take her medicine. Afterward, she sat gazing at the snow outside, a wave of drowsiness washing over her Shey down on the bed, hoping to get some rest.


    Meanwhile, the video of Maxwell''s arrogant outburst was spreading like wildfire online.


    Marshall was with his grandmother, and he nced at the news on his phone with a sneer. "Grandma that brat has been spoiled rotter by his mother. He acts like he''s above thew."


    She sat elegantly on the sofa, her silver hair styled in soft curls. She wore green jade jewelry, radiating an air of nobility.


    She smiled lovingly at him. "Marshall, if you hadn''t met Natalie, you''d be just aswless as him, always bullying people and thinking your money makes you invincible."


    "Now you see, don''t you? If you hadn''t met Natalie, you would have been used by Joanna and ended up just like Maxwell today. Joanna tried one scheme, and when it failed she moved on to the next. If Natalie hadn''t figured out their motives in advance, we''d be in a terrible mess right now."


    Marshall knew it was all thanks to Natalie.


    He looked at his grandmother, puzzled. “Grandma, why didn''t she ept the shares from our family?"


    She seemed so eager to make money, yet she refused the one thing she needed most.


    Marshall was a bit confused.


    His grandmother smiled at his innocent expression. “Marshall, Natalie is a very smart woman. If she epted those 3% shares, she would always feel indebted to


    us."