Chapter 5 Warning

• As Natalie was leaving with her bag, Lauren, who had just finished a phone call, approached.
• Alice said, "Oh, you're leaving? You could have gone with Natalie."
• "Sure! I can drive, so I'll go back with Natalie. Sam won't need to drop her off."
• "Hehe, that's perfect."
• Amidst everyone's laughter, Lauren accompanied Natalie out of Levine Manor, and they drove away.
• Although they were one big family and had close relationships, everyone had their own busy lives, and they seldom interacted outside of necessary occasions. In fact, they barely spoke a few words throughout the year.
• For example, with Lauren.
• Natalie was not well acquainted with Lauren. They only met a few times a year for necessary gatherings and meals and otherwise had no further interactions.
• Once in the car, Lauren drove toward the city, handling a stream of phone calls along the way.
• Natalie sat in the passenger seat, gazing out at the familiar scenery.
• She pondered whether to keep the divorce a secret from her family, given that it was a significant issue, especially considering the relationship between the two families. It was difficult to broach the topic.
• Natalie's marriage to Sebastian was largely due to connections from the older generation, perhaps also a matter of fate.
• Her grandfather had once helped Sebastian's grandfather, saving his life. The Levine family was grateful, although the connection had been severed due to turbulent times and various reasons, the gratitude from the Levine family had never been forgotten.
• Natalie first met Alice in the hospital where her grandfather was admitted. Her work was conveniently located near the hospital, so she visited her grandfather daily.
• One day, she saw a stranger, a madam, talking to her grandfather.
• That madam turned out to be Sebastian's grandmother.
• That was when she learned of the connection between the two families.
• About six months later, her grandfather told her that Alice had a very outstanding grandson and wanted to introduce him to her. He asked if she was interested in meeting him. If she was, they could arrange a meeting.
• Feeling it might be worth a try, she agreed.
• At the time, she was only twenty-four and didn't have strong feelings about marriage. She was traditional and tended to follow her parents' advice. After considering her grandfather's suggestion, she thought it was reasonable to explore the possibility of marriage at her age and agreed to meet.
• She didn't expect that meeting would lead to this point.
• "Phew, finally some peace!"
• The car stopped at a traffic light, and Lauren let out a sigh.
• Natalie was brought back from her thoughts and noticed they had arrived in the city. She said, "Lauren, stop at the next intersection. I'll take a cab from here."
• It was difficult to hail a cab from Levine Manor. It was usually either driven by a chauffeur or one's own vehicle.
• Since she had arrived with Sebastian, and with Sebastian having left early, she had been driven home by the Manor's driver, Sam. However, with Lauren being busy now that they were in the city, it would be inconvenient for her to continue.
• "That won't do. It's not right. And I'm still..."
• Before she could finish, her phone rang again.
• Lauren looked annoyed.
• Natalie chuckled, waiting for Lauren to finish her call, then said with a smile, "It's fine, and I need to go somewhere too. Just stop at the next intersection, and you can go on with your tasks."
• Lauren felt it was inappropriate not to drop Natalie off at home, frowning. However, listening to Natalie and considering her own busy schedule on this Saturday, she agreed.
• "Alright!"
• The car stopped at the next intersection, and Natalie got out. "Drive safely."
• "If you need anything, call me."
• "Will do."
• Watching the car merge into traffic and disappear, Natalie looked around and hailed a cab. "Sir, please go to the Solent Law Firm."
• …
• Evelyn took Cara out to play, Michael and Nigel played chess together, and Helen and Nigel's wife, Astrid Jones, accompanied Alice in the glass conservatory upstairs for coffee.
• After a night of rain, the chill lingered in the mountains, and Levine Manor was enveloped in a subtle coolness.
• The flowers and plants, however, seemed to sense the arrival of spring. Despite the rain, they thrived, lifting their heads to embrace the light and the scent of spring, swaying gently in the breeze.
• "Astrid, could you check with Rita about the tiramisu I asked her to make? Cara loves it," Alice requested.
• Astrid stood up and replied, "Sure, I'll go check on that."
• She left the conservatory and went downstairs.
• As Astrid's footsteps faded, Alice took a sip of her coffee and said slowly, "The children have their plans for their own lives. As a mother, you should refrain from interfering."
• Her words were clear and direct.
• Helen's brows furrowed slightly. She felt certain matters needed to be addressed.
• Putting down her coffee cup, she looked at the increasingly authoritative Alice and said, "Mom, our family values loyalty and affection, which is a good thing. While I am not entirely satisfied with Natalie and Sebastian's marriage, I did not oppose it. However, Natalie has been in the Levine family for three years without any children. I believe it is my duty as a mother-in-law to offer some advice. It is my responsibility as a mother."
• "The Zeller girl has returned, hasn't she?"
• Alice leaned back in her chair, resting against the back, and looked at Helen with her aged eyes.
• Helen stiffened under Alice's gaze, her eyes instinctively shifting away. "I heard she has returned…"
• Alice observed Helen's evasive look and said, "Today, as a mother-in-law, I will offer you some advice as well. The children have grown up, and they have their own thoughts and decisions. As a mother, it's better to stay out of their affairs."
• Helen's face turned pale.