Chapter 310: Mocking Ivan Brown-I

Ivan entered the office and saw Natalie sitting behind her work desk, busy working. He also noticed Mia and Cathy sitting on the couch.

Not minding them, he walked straight toward Natalie, who didn’t look at him, her entire focus on her work.

"What are you here for, Mr. Ivan Brown?" Mia asked.

Before he could answer, Cathy commented, "I’m sure this time Nat’s grandpa didn’t tell you to come to her and console her while acting as if you care? So many years of pretence, aren’t you tired already?"

Ivan was taken aback by this, wondering if Natalie knew the truth now. Last time, they had made a deal that he would tell her the truth, but they hadn’t been able to meet and talk about it.

"I’m here to talk with Natalie," he said, composing himself and looking at the busy woman who still didn’t offer him a single glance, as if he didn’t exist. "Natalie, can you spare me some time?"

"Speak," she said, still not looking at him.

"I want to talk alone," he said, hinting at the bothersome presence of the other two women.

"Hey, we are not going anywhere. We won’t leave our friend alone with a jerk," Cathy said with disdain.

Ivan was always aware that Cathy was never polite with her words. Instead of arguing, he turned to Natalie. "Natalie, please."

Before Mia and Cathy could protest, Natalie said, "You two can wait in another room."

Hearing her, the two friends didn’t disobey her in front of Ivan. They quietly walked out of Natalie’s office.

Mia looked at her phone. "Cathy, why are you calling me?"

Cathy snatched Mia’s phone and answered the call. "I left my mobile on the center table in Natalie’s office. Through this call, we can listen to what that jerk is here for."

"Make sure to record it," Mia said as the two focused on listening through the call.

"I don’t have much time. Speak," Natalie said to Ivan. She didn’t even ask him to sit.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Today’s board meeting and that news...."

"It has nothing to do with you," Natalie interrupted him.

"I know. I’m just here to check on you, to see if you’re fine," he said, not bothered that she still didn’t look at him.

Natalie finally met his gaze with her usual confident, cold, and indifferent expression. "Do I look like I’m not fine?"

"I know you. You always act tough outside and prefer to hide your emotions, but in front of me, you don’t have to," he said.

Natalie raised a brow. "What made you think I would show my emotions to you—an outsider? I have a husband, and he takes really good care of me."

"Then why don’t I see him with you when you need him the most?" Ivan asked, unwilling to give up.

"He’s not here because he knows me better. He knows when to not bother me," Natalie answered. "And, yes, Mr. Brown, you have no right to comment on my husband’s actions."

"I was just—"

"If you’re here thinking I’m devastated to learn that I’m not a Ford family daughter, then let me tell you—this is the greatest news I’ve ever received in my life. Another jerk of a man gone from my life, and I won’t be deceived anymore by any fake attachment," Natalie said straightforwardly.

Ivan understood those words were directed at him. "Natalie, I’m not sure how you got to know about things between your grandpa and me, but I’m sure you got it wrong."

She scoffed and said, "Then tell me—what is right about it?"

"Though I was with you at the start because Mr. Ford asked me to be your friend, later it was all my will. He himself offered me those things—I never asked him. I was with you on my own."

"Yeah, on your own, because in the end, I was someone who could benefit your business," she said. "Just like how my mother brought the Ford Group to its success, you were expecting the same from me, so you decided to keep me, didn’t you?"

"It’s not true," he said, but his eyes revealed he was caught.

Natalie scoffed. "Feed your lies to someone else, Ivan Brown. Go to Briena. She might need you at this moment after knowing she’s not a Ford anymore."

"She’ll be fine," Ivan said. "I’m here because I care for you more."

Natalie raised a brow and looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"Natalie, I acted rashly on the day of our wedding because I was hurt, thinking you betrayed me. But I realized my mistake and have decided to give both of us another chance. Let’s get back together. It doesn’t matter if you’re married—you can divorce him, and we can be together. I promise to treat you well."

"Are you high on something or what?" Natalie commented.

"No, I’m not. I realized I have truly loved you and only want to be with you. I also know you had loved me all these years and you are just angry with me for not trusting you. Those feeling won’t be gone just like this, right?" he said confidently.

"Now that you’re not a Ford, Sephina Ford might take this company from you as well and leave you with nothing. I don’t want you to suffer anymore. Once you marry me, you won’t have to keep up with a gigolo husband or rely on some random rich man. I would protect you. No one would talk badly about you either."

Natalie leaned back calmly in her chair as she asked, "What about Briena?"

"I never loved her. It was out of my anger toward you that I made that decision, and I know I was wrong. It’s not too late. We can correct our mistakes," he answered.

"Our mistake? There is no mistake on my side, and I do not wish to correct anything," Natalie said.

"Natalie, I know you’re angry about what I did, but..." he sighed. "Let’s not talk about the past and instead focus on the future. It’s not too late...."

"Ivan Brown," Natalie interrupted him calmly and stood up from her chair. She walked toward him and stood facing him. "Seems like once more, you have calculated everything carefully before coming here. What do you take me for, a fool?"