Chapter 65 The Joke at the Birthday Banquet
Natalie and Bianca had dinner together.
Blanca commented, “I’ve never had such delicious food in all these years. Your uncle has quite a discerning taste, huh?”
Because he had a disceming palate, the chef prepared only the finest ingredients.
Everything was fully certified.
Natalie replied, “Yes, he’s very particular.”
That was why, every time she went out with Stephen during the past few months, he’d never seemed to
enjoy his meals. It was as if something was always amiss.
Bianca sighed, “I envy you. No matter how much you eat, you never in weight. If I ate with you for a
while, I’d probably gain thirty pounds.”
Bianca had a tall, slender figure, but she had an easy propensity to gain weight. Even a little carelessness would result in extra pounds.
In contrast, Natalie had stayed the same as when they first met–the years seemed to be kind to her, leaving no trace of age.
Natalie remarked, ‘But I often lack nutrients, and my hair tends to fall out a lot.”
Thankfully, she had a lot of hair, otherwise, she would have lost a significant amount over the years. She wasn’t sure if it was due to insufficient nutrient absorption or the excessive stress of dealing with the Johnson family.
Each time she washed her hair, she’d see a handful of strands fall out.
Bianca tried to comfort her, saying, “It’s alright. You have so much hair, you can’t lose it all.”
Natalie responded with an uncertain look. She was about to say something else when her phone rang.
She checked the number, which was unfamiliar. Thinking it might be a customer, she hurriedly answered, Hello! This is Natalie.”
The caller on the other end had a gentle tone. “Yes, I know.”
Upon hearing that voice, Natalle’s expression darkened. “It’s you?”
Yes, Jocelyn responded.
“What is it?” Natalie’s tone wasn’t friendly because she felt uneasy.
Over the years, Cedric had his share of social events and escapades. But these two women, Isabella and Jocelyn, were the only ones who came directly to her doorstep.
She didn’t recognize Jocelyn from her previous life. After getting Karina to investigate her, Natalie discovered why Rebecca had chosen her. She had an exceptional family background.
“Tomorrow, Ced wants to bring you back to the Johnson Manor. But you shouldn’t go!”
The second part of Jocelyn’s statement was delivered as a command in her previously gentle tone.
Natalie’s heart turned cold. She wondered who these people thought they were. She felt anger mixed with
sadness.
After all, she hadn’t divorced Cedric yet, and it wasn’t their place to dictate in her presence.
“Why should I listen to you? You think you’re the Lambert family’s heiress, and everyone should obey you? Are you used to giving orders in the Lambert family?”
Natalie found the woman’s attitude quite amusing.
Jocelyn seemed unsurprised by Natalie’s reaction. She continued in a nonchalant tone. “If you divorce him, you’ll get half of the assets that you jointly own with him. Isn’t that great?”
Natalie responded, “There’s nothing going on between you and Cedric. Yet, you’re already taking charge?”
Jocelyn explained, “You see, the Johnson family won’t easily give you what you want. Even if Ced agrees, they won’t allow it. If you genuinely want a divorce, it won’t be easy to obtain. But I can help you.”
The more Natalie listened, the colder her expression became.
She had to admit that what Jocelyn was saying was true. She wouldn’t easily obtain what she wanted. Even if Cedric agreed, his family would likely prevent it.
Natalie closed her eyes.
Jocelyn continued, “However, as long as you don’t attend his grandmother’s birthday banquet tomorrow, I guarantee you’ll get what you want. How about it?”
Natalie demanded, “How can you be so sure?”
Jocelyn answered confidently, “Because your mother–in–law likes me.”
Natalie fell silent.
Rebecca liked Jocelyn!
That was the truth.
If Rebecca didn’t like Jocelyn, why would she interact with Jocelyn so often? She even crossed certain boundaries by trying to get Jocelyn into Cedric’s bed!
“But if you want to go, it’s up to you. In that case, I’m afraid you wouldn’t get anything even if you divorced.
him!” Jocelyn threatened with a gentle tone.
Natalie’s expression darkened.
She didn’t need to be told why this woman was so insistent on attending tomorrow.
It wasn’t just her; Isabella also wanted to go.
In other words, women who wanted to replace Natalie as Cedric’s wife absolutely wanted to attend the banquet with Cedric.
Lately, the news of Natalie and Cedric’s impending divorce had caused a great deal of commotion.
At this time, anyone who could accompany Cedric to Elizabeth’s seventieth birthday celebration was subtly promoting their future status as his wife.
Jocelyn was no fool. She had witnessed the scene at Scarlet Villa and knew that things were far from simple between Natalie and Cedric.
Tomorrow, Cedric would undoubtedly want Natalie to attend with him.
“Are you threatening me?” Natalie’s tone was hostile.
The woman on the other end of the phone maintained her ladylike demeanor. “Not at all, I’m just reminding you the role I can play in your divorce from Ced.”
“Hmph!” Natalie scoffed.
Without saying more, she hung up the phone!
When she returned to the table, Bianca was still waiting for her.
“Was it Cedric?”
A woman who likes him,” Natalie replied gloomily.
When choosing a man, it was best not to pick someone too handsome and outstanding; there would be too many competitors.
Bianca set down her fork and asked, “Are those women so eager already?”
“You said it!” Before she even legally left her position as Cedric’s wife, those women were already
impatient to replace her.
Bianca asked her, “What about the one at the hospital?”
“Anyone can go except her,” Natalie replied truthfully.
If it was about wanting to attend, Isabella would certainly want to go.
But could she?
Rebecca’s intense dislike made it clear that attending would only lead to a bad time for Isabella.
However, Natalie underestimated Isabella.
She was just as scheming as Jocelyn. She appeared gentle and comforting but had a cunning mind.
Cedric received a call from the hospital. The doctor mentioned that Isabella’s emotional state was quite low at the moment. He then suggested Cedric spend more time with her, take her out, and attend some parties, among other things, to distract her.
Cedric arrived at the hospital and entered the ward.
“Don’t think too much. I told you I’ll make things better.
“Can I really get better? Isabella asked with a tone of despair and hopelessness.
Her desperation was heart–wrenching to watch.
Cedric felt a pang in his heart.
In reality, if she hadn’t come to find him, she should be doing fine overseas. At the very least, she wouldn’t be in this state.
Rather than blaming Natalie’s cruelty for her state, Isabella’s plight was due to him.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the heaviness in his chest and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get better.
It’s been a long time,” she added.
Cedric was silent.
Isabella continued, “You know what darkness looks like? It’s different from the darkness of nighttime or
the pitch–black you can’t see your hand in front of you. The current darkness feels like there’s no way out.”
“Stop it!”
Cedric interrupted Isabella’s talking. He had always been cold and indifferent to people other than Natalie, but now he felt like his heart was bleeding.
“You haven’t been out for a long time. How about accompanying me to a banquet tomorrow?”
