When Nathalie walked in, Colby''s eyes lit up with a mischievous grin. His voice carried a teasing, almost rebellious note, "Well, look who decided to join us, Ms. Nathalie."


    Nathalie made her way over to him.


    Colby immediately handed her a drink. "Since you''re here, why not have a drink?"


    Nathalie took the ss but set it right back on the table.


    The guy across from them snickered, "Isn''t that a little rude to Mr. Colby, Ms. Nathalie?"


    Nathalie cut straight to the point with Colby, "Why are you going back on your promise?”


    ying dumb, Colby asked, "What promise did I break?"


    "The Harbor Point project youmitted to me."


    “Ms. Nathalie, tonight''s just about enjoying some drinks, not hashing out business," Colby dodged smoothly.


    “Come on, spill it. What did Vincent Corporation offer you?"


    Colby nodded towards the man across from them. "You might want to ask him. He''s Vincent Corporation''s second-inmand."


    "So, you''re under Mr. Jules, then?"


    The man crushed his ss with a snarl. “Are you looking down on me, Ashley?”


    Ignoring him, Nathalie focused on Colby. "Stewart Enterprise has already handed over all the design ns for the Harbor Point project. How are you going to ount for this loss?"


    Colby replied shamelessly, “No contract signed, no deal to ount for."


    Nathalie''s face flushed with anger. "Colby, why didn''t we sign the contract? You know exactly why."


    Colby shrugged nonchntly. “I admit, I was a bit underhanded, but that''s business—full of tricks and traps. Why were you so trusting?"


    Nathalie''s anger turned her face pale. "On the day we were supposed to sign, we gave you the designs. Then your mom got sick, and you were desperate to start construction. You begged me for the designs, promising to signter. But with your mom''s condition getting worse, I didn''t want to bother you. If my kindness is your excuse for betrayal, I''ve got nothing left to say. But Colby, karma''s got a way ofing back around."


    Colby looked a bit uneasy.


    The guy across from them


    encouraged Colby, "Don''t sweat it, Colby. If Stewart Enterprise is out, Vincent Corporation''s got your back. We''re loaded, and with us, you''ll never want for anything."


    Colby grinned obsequiously. "I''ll be counting on you, Mick."


    Nathalie stormed off.


    Mick suddenly jumped up and grabbed Nathalie''s hand. "Come on, Ashley, you can''t leave without a drink. That''s just not right, is it?"


    Nathalie turned back, her voice icy. "Let go of me."


    Mick''s face twisted with a malicious grin. “ying high and mighty? You''re just a used-up toy for Cameron." Nathalie''s eyes widened as she finally understood Mick''s bitterness.


    "And what are you to Cameron?"


    "Have a drink, and I''ll tell you."


    Mick offered her a ss.


    Nathalie shot back, "Forget it, I don''t care."


    She tried to break free from Mick''s grip but he was too strong. One hand held her tight while the other lifted her chin.


    He ordered the others, “Make her drink."


    Forced to down the drink, Mick finally let her go.


    Sensing danger, Nathalie didn''t stick around. She kneed Mick hard in the groin. As he doubled over in pain, she shoved past him and dashed for the exit.


    tor


    Dominick and Ford were waiting at the hotel entrance. Seeing Nathalie in distress, they knew something was


    up.


    "Sis, what''s going on?"


    "Just drive! Get me out of here, now."