Chapter 131: Seducing Rich Men

"How dare she crash your car?" Clara fumed, her voice rising with anger. "I’ll sue her for this!"

"No, Mother, don’t," Briena interjected quickly, trying to calm her down. "We can use this opportunity to negotiate with her—convince her to withdraw the complaint and free my fans who were held back after attacking her."

Sephina nodded thoughtfully. "Let her off this time. We’ll deal with her in a different way."

Just then, a servant entered and informed them that Amelia and Ivan had arrived to visit Briena.

Clara leaned in and whispered urgently to her sister, "Briena, keep up the good act, alright? This is a chance to show Ivan that Natalie was never the right choice for him."

Sephina’s cold voice cut through the room, full of authority. "And he should regret everything he did to you. If he doesn’t start taking you seriously, we’ll break off this engagement."

"Grandma, please, no," Briena pleaded, desperation lacing her voice. "I really love him. He may still be caught up with Natalie, but it won’t be long before he only has eyes for me."

Sephina’s gaze softened slightly as she regarded her granddaughter. "You are my precious child, and I’ve raised you with all my heart. I won’t let anyone tarnish you." Her tone turned sharp again. "I don’t want to hear of him disrespecting you ever again. I didn’t raise you to be someone’s toy, used for their dirty pleasures."

"It won’t happen again, Grandma," Briena promised.

Just then, Amelia and Ivan entered the living room.

"My dear, are you alright?" Amelia rushed to Briena’s side, her face etched with worry. She sat next to her and took her hand gently. "You must have been so scared."

Briena nodded weakly. "I’m fine now, Aunt Amelia."

"Don’t try to act so brave. I know you’re not that strong. And call me mother," Amelia said softly, before turning a stern gaze toward Ivan. "How could this happen under your watch? How could that harm my daughter like this?"

Before Ivan could respond, Briena quickly intervened. "Please, don’t blame him, Mother. He tried his best. He even offered her money as compensation, but she refused to take it. She’s determined to hurt me any way she can."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, her voice trembling. "You know she was always envious when Grandma gifted me this car to celebrate my first movie signing. She saw a chance to take out her anger and destroy that gift. She’s always been like this... so please, don’t blame Ivan for anything."

Amelia wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself. "We should sue her for the damages."

Briena immediately shook her head. "No, please don’t do that. She’s not in a good place financially and won’t be able to afford it. Besides, she has a company to run."

"Silly girl. She keeps hurting you, and yet you’re always protecting her," Amelia sighed in exasperation. "When will you understand that she doesn’t see you as her sister?"

"Mother, please calm down. I can get another car. I have enough money of my own. Don’t trouble Natalie over this," Briena pleaded.

"Alright," Amelia said and looked at Ivan. "See how kind Brinena is and you have been pinning on that witch even though I tried to stop you."

Ivan remained silent, his gaze distant. The image of Natalie’s furious, determined face flashed in his mind—so different from the person he thought he knew. He still couldn’t process what had happened today.

"Ivan, you should take Briena out for a nice dinner," Amelia suggested firmly. "Help her forget the trauma she went through today. As her fiancé, it’s your responsibility to take care of her."

Ivan nodded, finally snapping back to the present. He glanced at Briena, whose eyes were still red and puffy from tears. "Get ready. I’ll take you out."

Briena’s face lit up with a grateful smile, and she nodded quickly. In no time, she was dressed and ready to leave with Ivan. Amelia also departed, muttering about needing to calm herself down.

As the house grew quiet again, Clara turned to Sephina, her face tense with worry. "Mother, what are we going to do about Natalie? What she did today was just too much. Briena adored that car—it was a gift from you."

"Don’t worry," Sephina said coldly, her eyes narrowing. "Tomorrow, she’ll learn what it really means to cross paths with us."

---

Ivan and Briena arrived at one of the luxury hotels for a nice dinner at the restaurant.

"It’s been a while since I’ve been here," Briena said. "But don’t we have to book in advance to get a table? How did you manage it so quickly?"

"Are you underestimating me?" Ivan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, no, no! Please don’t misunderstand me," she said, pulling out her sweetest, most innocent expression.

Ivan smiled. "Don’t be so nervous. I was just teasing."

Briena was stunned to see him smile. He hadn’t really smiled since the day his wedding with Natalie fell apart.

’It seems like we can finally be together like a sweet couple.’

Just as the hotel staff approached to guide them to the restaurant, a familiar woman hurriedly entered the hotel.

She looked stunning in a light peach, knee-length dress, her hair styled in an elegant bun. Her appearance radiated a youthful innocence mixed with a mature beauty that every man would desire.

Everyone in the spacious reception lounge turned to look at her, their eyes following her every move.

"Natalie?" Briena whispered, disbelief washing over her as she realized the beautiful woman was, in fact, her sister.

Ivan was similarly shocked, unable to believe his own eyes.

As if expecting her arrival, a hotel manager stepped forward to greet her personally. "Ms. Natalie."

"Yes, I’m here to see Julia...."

"I understand. I’ve been sent to escort you," the man replied and began leading her inside.

"Natalie," Briena called out, stopping her in her tracks. "What are you doing here?"

Natalie ignored her and continued following the manager, as if she had no time to spare.

Briena stepped forward to block her path. "You’re all dolled up, meeting someone... but did you even take the time to visit our grandpa?"

Natalie halted and turned to look at her. "Was today’s lesson not enough to remind you to stop meddling in my business? Why don’t you focus on why you’re here and quit being nosy?"

"Natalie, you’re my sister. I’m worried you might be heading down the wrong path. Getting dressed up like this... Are you here to meet some rich man who can finance your company?" Briena asked. "You know you could just ask me or Ivan for help."

"Thank you, but I’m more than capable of helping myself."

"By seducing rich men?" Briena scoffed.

Natalie remained calm. "You know what they say—people’s words and thoughts reflect their own nature. Maybe you’re the kind of person who seduces men with your looks, so you assume I’d do the same."

"Shut up!" Briena snapped.

Natalie sneered and walked away, not even sparing a glance at Ivan.

Ivan barely registered what the two sisters were arguing about. His entire focus was on how breathtakingly beautiful Natalie looked. His heart raced at the mere sight of her—something he had never felt before, not even when she was by his side. For the first time, she evoked a sense of desire in him—a woman he wanted to possess and protect.

Why had she never appeared before him like this? What made her wear such clothes and look so beautiful—for whose sake? Was it for her poor gigolo husband or some rich man she was heading to seduce?