Chapter 514 Playing With Fire
âMaster,â Samuel greeted, his expression stony as he gave Malcolm a curt nod.
Malcolm waved a hand at him. âDonât look so cold later. Just look at that face of yours! Youâll scare off
your junior!â
âMy face has always looked this way.â
Malcolm narrowed his eyes and warned, âIâm not the only one who has a soft spot for your junior. Donna
and the rest of the rest adore her as well. If you dare bully her, none of us will go easy on you.â
âIâm not interested in my junior in that way.â Samuel took a seat and poured himself a cup of tea. âIf
youâre thinking about setting me up with her, I advise you to give up early on,â he said impassively.
âSave the talk about giving up till you see her.â
âNo need for that,â Samuel shot back without a second thought. The corners of his lips quirked upward
as he continued, âIt doesnât matter if she has the beauty to overturn nations. I wonât have that sort of
intent toward her.â
His confident statement was the first thing Natalie heard when she entered the room.
A shiver ran down her back when she caught sight of the manâs familiar profile. My senior is Samuel?
This is too much of a coincidence. Itâll be a waste if I donât use this opportunity to tease him!
Samuelâs unexpected appearance sparked Natalieâs playful side once she recovered from the initial
surprise.
âMaster, since my senior has no interest in me, why do you still insist on setting us up?â
Natalieâs eyebrows moved expressively as she spoke, and her lips curved into a half-smile as she
approached the men. âItâs not like this senior is the only guy left on earth! Iâm sure my other seniors are
brilliant as well, and other masters are bound to have a few outstanding apprentices too.â
Malcolmâs expression shifted drastically upon hearing her declaration. He shot to his feet and began to
console Natalie, âT-This guy has no idea what heâs talking about. Donât take it to heart!â He was worried
that Samuelâs words had hurt Natalieâs feelings.
After comforting Natalie, Malcolm turned to jab a finger in Samuelâs face as he berated, âThat mouth of
yours overshadows all the good in you! Your foolishness just ruined all of my hard work!â
Samuel followed Malcolmâs gaze to see Natalie standing by the door.
His fingers tightened involuntarily around the teacup when he registered her presence.
Tea sloshed about in the cup as the teacup shook from the sheer force of his grip.
âWhich outstanding person did you want Master to introduce you to?â Samuel asked, his menacing tone
matching his darkened face.
Natalie could tell that her statement had triggered Samuelâs jealousy, but she did not retract her words
and instead continued to poke the bear. âMy other seniors, of course. Well, anyone but you, really. Didnât
you just say that no matter how beautiful I am, you wouldnât be interested in me?â
âWatch what you say,â Samuel warned as his eyebrows drew together tightly.
âI was just repeating what you said. Whatâs wrong with that?â Natalie continued to goad, refusing to back
down.
âYouâre playing with fire.â
âAnd what about that?â
Anxiety seized Malcolm as he watched his beloved apprentices leap at each otherâs throats at their very
first meeting.
Malcolm recognized that Samuel had started the argument with his ugly remarks and reprimanded,
âSamuel, just look at what you did! So what if youâre not interested? Did you really have to go and be so
rude? Canât you speak nicely? If you continue to bully your junior Iâll chase you out of this place!â
Samuel felt like he was about to explode from anger as he watched Natalie hiding behind Malcolm. She
peered at him over Malcolmâs shoulder and feigned innocence.
Samuel stood up from his seat, walked toward Natalie, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
His possessiveness was palpable as he trapped Natalie in his embrace.
Left out of the loop, Malcolm thought that Samuel was trying to take advantage of Natalie and spluttered
angrily, âYou b*stard! What are you trying to do to Natalie?â