Chapter 9 Reginald's Poisoning

• "Even this ring." Sebastian's voice was like a blast of cold air but with an air of conviction. "It's yours after Grandfather makes a complete recovery."
• Natasha glanced at Sebastian, whose eyes held an enigmatic gleam, but—
• "Sebastian! What rubbish are you spewing? This ring's—" Kateryn nearly lost it, shooting daggers at Natasha as her words adopted a sharp edge. "This woman's up to no good! She has it out for the Fletchers!"
• Natasha folded her arms, observing Sebastian's furrowed brows with a hint of challenge in her eyes and a smirk. "So? That's what he suggested."
• "I've assumed you had some backbone ordering him about, but turns out—" Each word dripped with venom, "You can't even hold a candle to a country bumpkin up to no good like me, can you?"
• Kateryn never thought she'd be outsmarted by Natasha and desired to cut her to pieces.
• As she prepared to say something, Sebastian cut in, his voice icy, "Done causing a scene?"
• With one sentence, Sebastian crushed Kateryn's ego, reducing her to a pathetic figure with reddened eyes, "Sebastian, I—"
• Natasha couldn't help but silently applaud; it was a pity Kateryn hadn't taken up acting.
• "Mr. Fletcher, it looks like I might not be suited to handle your grandfather's ailment somehow." Natasha's gaze turned frosty.
• The next instant, Sebastian ordered sternly, "You, out."
• His words were directed at Kateryn, who stared wide-eyed, "Sebastian, how could you—"
• "Don't make me repeat myself."
• He sounded colder than an iceberg, and Kateryn trembled, unable to linger any longer. She shot one last look at him, then marched to the door, brimming with reluctance.
• Natasha raised her eyebrow, a faint, unreadable smile playing on her plain face.
• As Kateryn left, she glanced back and was stunned at how similar that doctor looked to the dead Natasha from behind. Kateryn's hands trembled as she tried to get a closer glance before Natasha caught Kateryn's stare.
• Natasha sensed the tingle of Kateryn's scrutiny and looked back to meet Kateryn's confused gaze, immediately responding with a chilly smile that was challenging and threatening.
• Kateryn hurried away, but unease gnawed at her.
• "Mr. Fletcher." Natasha quickly reined in her hostility. Even though she'd stirred the pot herself, Sebastian was the tougher nut to crack.
• "Don't pay her any mind," he proclaimed icily.
• She couldn't help but wonder why they were like strangers despite being supposedly married.
• Her delicate brows furrowed, and he seemed to read her mind, "She's not my spouse, nor will she ever be. She's not fit to be the Fletcher family daughter-in-law or my partner."
• His voice was faint, and she didn't probe. Those sentences piqued her curiosity; what exactly was Kateryn's role in the Fletcher family?
• "She's here at the Fletcher mansion for now on account of being Harry's mother. But I have no ties to her." His tone dripped with disgust towards Kateryn.
• Natasha smiled conspiratorially, mind racing as the plot thickened.
• "How's my grandfather?" Sebastian switched topics.
• She didn't hold back. "It looks like poisoning, but I will have to do more digging for specifics."
• "Poison?" His brows wrinkled in astonishment.
• She strode past Sebastian toward the bed to feel Reginald's pulse again tensely. "It looks long-term and chronic. It's probably a cocktail, not just one toxin. Fixing it'll take time, too."
• Natasha looked thoughtfully at the weak, poor man on the bed as Sebastian stepped closer.
• Her tone was freezing. "Sorry, not interfering in your family drama. If you hope for me to help him, sort out your family first."
• Natasha packed up, ready to depart, but Sebastian grabbed her wrist.
• She flinched, instinct telling her to resist, but she caught herself. She subtly redirected, Sebastian's grip masking her resistance.
• Natasha's smile was tight. "Mr. Fletcher."
• "Keep that information private." Sebastian's voice was low, almost a threat.
• She pulled her hand away coolly, a faint smile on her lips. "Sure thing. But I expect you to keep your end of the bargain."
• Natasha's gaze flicked to Sebastian's ring finger.
• He looked down, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he fiddled with the jade ring. "You get what it means to accept this ring?"