Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Natalie’s mind was adrift, thinking about the recent group chat regarding Nate. Out of the blue. she quizzed Rosie, (Rosie, how long were you working with Madelyn before?]

Rosie breezed back, (Oh, over three years, I believe. I joined her tearn right after my sophomore year.]

Natalie pondered for a moment before asking. [So, there’s talk that she had a child?)

A voice message popped up from Rosie. [Look, It’s no secret at the office. I’m not one to hide the gossip. Yeah, she was pregnant once. When I took over her schedule, she’d just finished her maternity leave not long before. She wasn’t in the best shape and always skipped out on the happy hours.]

Every time Natalie caught a glimpse of Nate, Madelyn’s Image haunted her thoughts.

She never fully believed the rumors. Natalie couldn’t fathom a mother being that heartless, especially with Madelyn’s cold attitude towards Nate. But hearing it from Rosie made it real.

Natalie fell silent, lost in thought.

Rosie, sensing Natalie’s curiosity, prodded, [Are you wondering if Nate is Madelyn’s son?]

[Just curious for some juicy gossip,] Natalie admitted.

[But about Nate’s parentage, the Howard family keeps a tight lid on that. Everyone’s just. speculating based on what they see from Madelyn’s end,] Rosie continued, her voice bubbling with intrigue. [To be honest, these blue–blooded families usually prefer marrying into other powerful dynasties. It’s all about forming alliances. They tend to look down on us from the entertainment group. Maybe the Howard family doesn’t approve of Madelyn’s career, so they’re refusing to acknowledge her. Remember Gracia? All talk and no trousers. The Howard family even decided to cut ties with her.]

As Rosie rambled on with more gossip, Natalie hesitated to join in.

The truth was Madelyn and Gracia were different cases.

The Harris family, Madelyn’s lineage, was once quite esteemed, only to fall from grace over the years. Natalie remembered how cordial the Howard family was towards the Harris family when she first met Madelyn.

Natalie also recalled another family, the Smith family, close allies of the Howard family. It was with a son, Robert, about the same age as Brian.

Madelyn, Robert, and Brian were an inseparable trio.

Robert was smitten with Madelyn, but her affections lay with Brian.

Natalie didn’t know the intricacies of their relationship, but she was aware that Madelyn eventually started dating Robert.

12:00

Brian, though kind to Madelyn, always seemed to maintain a deliberate distance, perhaps not. wanting to step between his friend and his love.

Reflecting on it, Natalie realized she hadn’t seen Robert since her return home. Madelyn, however, was often seen with Brian, and Natalie couldn’t help but wonder if a rift had formed between the three due to Madelyn.

Rosie, unable to contain herself, interjected with more juicy tidbits.

[There’s even more scandalous news! Madelyn had a sweetheart before she became famous. The media exposed her relationship with this outsider boyfriend, claiming he financed her entry into showbiz and supported her with all sorts of resources! But you know what’s the weirdest part? The year Madelyn has begun to rise, her boyfriend vanished in a plane crash!]

Natalie was taken aback. [What?]

Robert’s plane crash and disappearance?

Rosie replied earnestly. [You were probably studying abroad at the time, so you missed the frenzy here. But local media was all over it! There were even rumors that Mr. Howard, out of a jealous rage, staged the accident to get rid of him!]

That can’t be true.] Natalie countered instinctively.