Natalie’s POV


    The burden on my heart felt immensely heavy. I hadn’t liked Debbie from the very first day we met, and I knew she felt the same about me. I could clearly remember her first visit with Rafael; she was arrogant and tried to bully me under the guise of joking.


    She said that I’m lucky a family like the Mirren epted a stranger like me into their midst. Even though Rafael intervened, rebuking her and defending me, her words made me certain that once she became a Mirren, she would attempt to exclude me from the family.


    I was truly anticipating inheriting my legacy and leaving the Merrins’ vi. It was my initial n after my stepfather passed; I never expected to develop a rtionship with Rafael.


    His offer from this morning kept echoing in my mind. I was torn about whether to ept it or not, but I was likely going to refuse.


    What if his interest in me was purely driven by desire? He had never expressed love or even liking towards me, and I found it hard to ceplete trust in him.


    Due to myck of trust in him, I ended up going to the address Debbie sent me without informing him. My curiosity got the better of me, and I wanted to hear what she had to say.


    As I traced the location on Google Maps, I didn’t anticipate it would lead me here. It turned out to be one of Nefson’s recent residential developments backed by the Mirren Group.


    It was a towering structure in an affluent neighborhood, where finding parking was never a struggle. The area was lined with rows of buildings, all featuring the same luxurious design.


    However, here I was, standing before the apartment door, which was on the fourth floor.


    It was the exact apartment number she had sent me. I pressed the doorbell, and within less than a minute, the door was deftly opened.


    Debbie’s broad smile made her seem like an angel; she had angelic facial features. I was taken aback by her sudden kindness. I was not ustomed to her smiling when we were alone.


    She grabbed me by the hand and cheered, “Oh, Natalie. I’m so happy you came. Pleasee in, I want you to meet someone!”


    I was stunned to find her father and hiswyer sitting in the living room. His presence always made me tense up, but I was determined not to let them notice my feelings. So, I remained still, with a neutral expression on my face, trying my best to maintainposure despite his unexpected presence.


    Once her father spotted me, he rose from his seat, wearing a smile, and greeted, “Hey, Natalie. Nice to see you this morning!”


    I smiled back with a gentle smile and replied, “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Nefson.”


    I remained suspicious, but I concentrated on controlling my bodynguage. I was resolute not to let him or any of them detect my thoughts. Thus, I feigned rxation and confidence.


    “Have a seat, please,” he said, gesturing to one of the sofas after shaking my hand.


    Despite my decision to sit, crossing my legs one above the other, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. I fixed a re on the three of them and asked directly, “Is there something you’d like to discuss?”


    Initially, I presumed Debbie wanted to discuss something possibly rted to Rafael, especially given her insistence that I shouldn’t inform him about our meeting. However, with the unexpected presence of her father and hiswyer, I sensed a more serious matter was at hand.


    “We won’t take much of your time. You must be wondering why my dear Debbie called you!” he said, lighting his cigarette.


    I didn’t deny it. Instead, I raised an eyebrow and replied, “Yes, I’m genuinely curious!”


    Behind the smoke cloud before him, he gestured with his finger to hiswyer. Thetter opened his ck bag and ced a file before me on the coffee table.


    “Please, read this!” Mr. Mackenzie said, a strange gleam in his narrow, green eyes.


    I lifted the file and began reading it. My eyes widened as I absorbed its contents, then narrowed in suspicion. I shifted my gaze between Debbie and Mr. Mackenzie, and demanded, “What on earth is this?”


    Debbie sighed in despair, wearing a sad expression. She mumbled, “As you read, bebe. We couldn’t inform Raf about this. We thought that as you are his sister, and you own shares in thepany, you must know what’s going on.”


    I eximed, “But this is insane!”


    “Merrin’s Group is threatened to go bankrupt due to this issue!” Mr. Mackenzie said in a calm but sad tone.


    “It’s impossible! This can’t be true. There must be something wrong!” I snapped.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    “Yeah, I can feel you. We thought the same at first. But when my father and I investigated the issue, we became convinced of it,” Debbie expressed, tears welling in her eyes.


    I asked in suspicion, “How did you manage to know all of this when Rafael didn’t?”


    “Rafael had lived abroad all his life with his mother. Despite being a prominent businessman with trading ventures worldwide, hecked the deep understanding of the local market here. He only assumed control of the Merrin family affairs just a year ago. This vulnerability allowed his father’s enemies to manipte and frame him,” thewyer elucidated, leaving me stunned.


    Despite his billionaire status and management of separate businesses, Rafael’s inability to ept failure was closely tied to the long-standing reputation of the Merrin Group, a formidable name among aristocratic families across generations.


    I pulled out my phone from my handbag, trying not to stammer as I said, “We have to inform Rafael as soon as possible. He would have acted and saved thepany.”


    Just as I was about to dial, Mr. Mackenzie intercepted, grasping my hand, and cautioned, “I wouldn’t rmend it. Rafael is currently immersed in a significant project, and this news could disrupt his focus.”


    “What’s your suggestion then? Stand by silently and watch thepany sink?” I eximed in disbelief.


    “Aren’t you one of the family members, as you always im? It’s your responsibility to defend thepany and make sacrifices!” Debbie interjected amidst her sobs and tears.


    I raised an eyebrow and inquired, “Then what do you suggest? I’m listening!”


    Mr. Mackenzie leaned forward from his seat and countered, “We’re working on the case from behind the scenes. Debbie has a friend who will help us; she just needs your support and presence. And I guess this is the least you can give to the family who raised you!”