Nathalie barked out, "Hey, listen up. Open your hand."


    Morris obediently did as he was told, revealing some nasty cuts on his palm. Nathalie carefully used tweezers to remove the ss shards, then gently dabbed iodine on the wounds with a cotton ball, handling everything with precision.


    She finished up by wrapping his hand in gauze.


    Once everything was taken care of, Nathalie stood up, a little unsteady on her feet. Morris quickly reached out to steady her, worry written all over his face.


    Ashley, fuming, said through clenched teeth, "Nathalie, I can''t stand your innocent act. First, you took Nathan away, and now you''re after Morris. Why do you always have to be against me? Did I wrong you in a past life?"


    Nathalie replied, "Ashley, I''ve told you before, Nathan is my brother. I just want him to be happy. If you love him and can make him happy, I''m all for it. But if you can''t, sorry, I can''t support this marriage."


    "Who do you think you are? Even his own dad can''t control him. What makes you think you can?"


    "Because to him, I''m Nathalie. I saved his life and nursed him back to health over a year," Nathalie suddenly raised her voice.


    Ashley was taken aback.


    Lincoln and Dean were also caught off guard.


    Ashley looked at Morris, stunned. "Nathan, is she telling the truth?"


    Morris nodded.


    Ashley realized Nathalie meant more to Morris than anyone else.


    Morris added, "Now you see how important Nathalie is to me, right? So watch what you say around her. I might not have big dreams, but I do want to protect the most important person in my life."


    Despite her anger, Ashley had to give Nathalie some respect.


    She swallowed her pride. "Cousin, you''re Nathan''s lifesaver. Why didn''t you say so earlier?"


    Nathalie was too annoyed to speak.


    All she wanted was a drink.


    Her eyes kept drifting to her wine ss. Morris, sensing the tension, quickly picked up her ss and drank it in one go.


    He ced the empty ss back. "Great wine."


    Nathalie scolded him, "With your hand injured, drink less."


    Morris nodded obediently. "Okay."


    Ashley sat there awkwardly, trying to lighten the mood by raising her, ss to Nathalie. "Sis, I was and misunderstood you earlier. I apologize. This drink is on me."


    Nathalie reached for the bottle to pour herself a drink.


    But Morris suddenly intervened, "Nathalie''s not well enough to drink."


    Ashley was left speechless.


    Lincoln''s jaw dropped in surprise.


    Morris''s quiet, genuine care for Nathalie made Lincoln rethink his opinion of him.


    If it weren''t for his rocky past,


    including jail time, seeing how he et


    cared for Nathalie, Lincoln might have found a way to ept him, ws and all.


    The dinner ended on a sour note.


    Ashley left without a word, eyes red, clearly upset.


    Dean, ring at Morris, said, "Nathan, your grandfather and Ashley''s arranged this marriage. If you don''t agree, then get your grandfather to call it off."


    With that, Dean stormed out.


    Nathalie felt guilty for messing up the gathering and retreated upstairs, weighed down by self-me.


    The living room was left with only Lincoln and Morris.


    Lincoln gave Morris a thorough look. "I thought yourst name was Bridge? So Nathan''s just your first name?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!