Chapter 148: Why The NextEra CEO Is Interested In You?

When Natalie entered her office, she was greeted by the sight of her dear friend sitting comfortably on the couch, browsing through a tablet.

"Nice responses to those reporters, Nats," Mia said with a smile.

With a warm smile of her own, Natalie walked over to her friend. "Still can’t compare to you, Ms. Mia Wilson."

Mia stood up and pulled Natalie into a hug. "Feels like it’s been an eternity since I saw you."

Natalie hugged her back. "Did everything go well?"

Mia hummed in affirmation and reached into her bag, pulling out some files to hand over to Natalie. "Everything’s in place. The investment’s secured, the plan is set, and we’re ready to start production."

Natalie nodded appreciatively as the two settled on the couch. Moments later, Nora arrived with coffee for them both.

"Don’t just skim through it—sign it too," Mia teased. "Once you do, you’ll officially be my business partner."

Natalie didn’t hesitate, signing the papers with a smile. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me. It’s your beauty, my friend, that’s brought us the biggest investor," Mia said with a mischievous grin.

"What do you mean?" Natalie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mia leaned in with a playful look. "Do you know who the biggest investor in our perfume project is?"

Natalie caught the teasing glint in Mia’s eye and made a quick guess. "Justin?"

Mia chuckled, clearly amused. "So you admit that Justin is enchanted by your beauty."

Natalie frowned, realizing she’d guessed wrong. "Just tell me—who’s the investor?"

"NextEra," Mia answered. "They approached me on their own with the investment offer. I gave it some thought. I didn’t want any help from my brother, so I figured using the charm of my beautiful friend—who just so happens to have captivated a very wealthy man—wasn’t a bad move."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "This has nothing to do with me. I don’t even know anyone at NextEra. If I did, wouldn’t I have already secured their investment for my own company?"

Mia grinned knowingly. "They came to me right after that scandal involving you blew up. My gut tells me this is about you. Remember that man who dropped two billion just to dance with you? I have a hunch he’s the CEO of NextEra. I know it wasn’t Adam Summers—I’ve met him before—so that leaves only one candidate: the mystery man who came like a gentle breeze and left like a storm."

Natalie frowned, lost in thought. "Did you get to meet him?"

"Nope. He’s a phantom. Doesn’t meet anyone, not even me."

Natalie raised a brow. "But Justin met him. They just closed a deal."

Mia smirked. "Oh, now interesting. Your ’husband’ met the man who’s supposedly infatuated with you? Now that’s some gossip. I wonder why the NextEra CEO is interested in you?"

"Cut it out," Natalie muttered, exasperated. "Don’t start spreading rumors like the reporters."

"Aren’t you curious to know him. A mysterious man who helped you out with his wealth," Mia asked.

Natalie sure was curious but that man left no clues behind even after he danced with her for ten minutes. But the way he looked at her while dancing, It didn’t feel like he was being with her for the first time. His gaze carried the feeling of familiarity towards her.

’Have I met him before and I don’t remember?’ Natalie wondered.

Mia asked, seeing Natalie silent, "But tell me this—would you have been happier if Justin Harper had invested in our project?"

Natalie scoffed. "He’s not my real husband, Mia. Don’t get any ideas. And honestly, I prefer things that way."

"Well," Mia teased, "he may not be your real husband, but having him pretend to be one certainly has its perks. I just hope your beauty keeps attracting more investors like this!"

"Shut up," Natalie said, swatting at Mia playfully.

Mia grinned. "By the way, how’s your husband doing?"

"He’s on a business trip. Won’t be back for a while."

Mia laughed. "Listen to you! You’re answering like a dutiful wife while insisting he’s not your real husband. I can see this turning into something real soon."

Natalie, rolling her eyes, grabbed the coffee mug from Mia’s hand. "Drink this before it gets cold, you chatterbox."

Mia raised a brow, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Why do I feel like you’re blushing?"

"You need to get your eyes checked," Natalie muttered as Mia took a sip of her coffee, carefully avoiding her friend’s scrutinising gaze.

Just then, Ella knocked and entered the office.

She greeted both women with a polite smile and placed some files on the table.

"Ms. Mia, you were incredible at the airport," Ella said with admiration.

Mia smiled gracefully. "Your boss is just as impressive."

Ella gave a small nod of agreement, then turned to Natalie. "Ms. Natalie, the Ford family just announced that Ms. Briena and Mr. Brown’s engagement will take place in three days."

Natalie’s expression remained neutral, as if the news didn’t affect her in the slightest. Ella quietly excused herself, leaving the two friends alone.

Mia turned to Natalie, studying her. "Your ex—your childhood sweetheart—is officially announcing his relationship with your sister to the world, and you have no reaction? I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed."

Natalie shrugged. "What do you expect me to do? Cry over it?"

"Or maybe curse them to the deepest pits of hell?" Mia offered with a sly grin.

"No need," Natalie said flatly. "They’ll get what they deserve."

"Or," Mia added with a knowing look, "maybe you feel nothing at all because you never really loved him."

Natalie’s gaze sharpened. "Why do you think that?" she asked, her voice steady.

Mia leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "If you reflect on it, you might realize it wasn’t love you felt for him. It was gratitude."

Natalie’s eyes narrowed slightly, those same words ringing in her head—

.

After a brief silence, Natalie broke the quiet. "How does someone even know when they’re truly in love? What I felt for Ivan... that’s what love felt like to me."

"You’ll know one day," Mia continued gently. "When you truly fall for someone, your heart will know. You’ll realize just how important that person is to you... and how you can’t imagine life without him."

Natalie nodded quietly, her thoughts swirling.

"You’ll probably get invited to the engagement as part of the family. Are you planning to go?" Mia asked.

"I’m not sure yet," Natalie replied.

Mia gave her a pointed look. "Let me tell you what’s going to happen: You’ll convince yourself you don’t want to go, but you’ll end up going—for your grandpa’s sake. Especially now that he’s unwell, you know you should be there."

Natalie sighed as she knew this would happen for sure.

----

Two days had passed, and the day of Briena and Ivan’s engagement had finally arrived. During those two days, Natalie buried herself in work, trying to keep her mind occupied. But in the quiet moments at home, she found herself missing Justin. Visiting her grandpa brought her some comfort, but it wasn’t enough to fill the emptiness she felt inside.

Just as Mia had predicted, Natalie ultimately decided to attend the engagement—for her grandpa’s sake. Albert had insisted that she be there, and she couldn’t refuse him. She knew his intentions were clear: he wanted her to remain connected to the family, knowing how harsh society could be. If she didn’t attend such an important family event, people would start whispering, calling her the .

No matter what had transpired within the family, Albert wanted Natalie to carry the Ford name with pride and not be looked down upon by others.

That evening, she dressed elegantly for the engagement and left for the venue, unaware of what kind of danger awaited her there.