Chapter 12: Their Own Plans Natalie raised an eyebrow at how defiantly calm Justin was acting. He looked composed on the surface, but she sensed he was hiding his emotions and that he was clearly shocked.
"Are you afraid that if you admit it, I would ask for a share of your huge wealth, Mr. Harper?" Justin chuckled mockingly. "How much do you want? I can give it to you as a pity compensation for feeling disappointed that I'm not your husband." Natalie scoffed. "You can keep your wealth in the pocket of your expensive suit, Mr. Harper. All I want is the truth." "I already told the truth. I am not Aiden Handrix." Natalie stared at him silently for a while, their stubborn gazes locked, neither willing to back down. She realized she wouldn't get the answer she wanted from him today. Whether he was telling the truth or not, she would find out sooner or later.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe stood up. "I will take my leave then. Make sure to send that document back to me. You must have already investigatedand know where I stay." Not waiting for his reply, she turned and left.
After half an hour, Noah returned. "Mr. Harper, this marriage certificate is genuine," he said, placing the document on the desk in front of Justin, who was engrossed in work.
Justin wasn't surprised. "Did you try to find out the identity of the man?" "The government office can't reveal personal details," Noah replied.
"Even if they could, I'm sure it wouldn't be enough," Justin said, closing the folder in his hands and setting it on the desk. "She claims she has no idea who this man is, nor when this supposedly happened." "Yes, Mr. Harper." "Assign someone to follow her everywhere. Keep a close watch for anyone suspicious around her." "Mr. Harper, do you really trust her?" Noah asked, his expression skeptical. "What if she's faking all of this to trap you?" Justin had his doubts as well. If she was up to something, he needed to know before she made her next move. From the short the'd observed her, Justin could tell she was capable of the unexpected. "We'll find out once you follow my instructions." "Yes, Mr. Harper." Noah's eyes lingered on the document on the table, as if he had more to say.
"What is it?" "Mr. Harper, the man in the picture looks exactly like you, even down to the small mole on the left side of your chin." "Hmm." He swallowed nervously before speaking further, "Are... you sure that's not you?" Justin's gaze turned cold at his assistant's words. Noah continued, "Maybe try to remember what you were doing a year and a half ago." "Noah, how long have you been working with me?" Justin's voice was icy, clearly displeased that his own assistant doubted him.
"Five years, Mr. Harper." "Then you should know the answer." Feeling embarrassed, Noah nodded. He knew for certain that Justin hadn't returned to the country in the past five years. He was aware of every detail of Justin's schedule.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"We'll find that man, or whoever plotted this, only by following her. Do not miss anything," Justin instructed. "Also, look into Caryn Ford, her mother. I want every detail from the day she was born." "She was an orphan..." "An orphan who becone of the most successful businesswomen without any family support," Justin explained. "She must have made quite a few enemies along the way. Even her death was said to be suspicious." "I'll gather all the information," Noah assured him.
Meanwhile, Natalie had returned to Mia's apartment. As she entered, she noticed Mia engrossed in her laptop, sitting on the couch with a sea of documents scattered across the coffee table.
"Did you manage to meet him?" Mia asked, still focused on her work, not expecting much success from Natalie. "Yes," Natalie replied, hanging up her bag and keys.
Mia looked up, surprised. "What? Did you really?" "Yes, I did," Natalie confirmed, walking towards the dining table.
Mia quickly set aside her laptop. "So, is he really your husband?" Natalie poured herself a glass of water. "Yeah, and now I own half of his wealth," she said, her tone flat.
Mia almost screamed in disbelief and Natalie offered her a bored look as if mocking her for not understanding the sarcasm.
Mia closed her mouth, her excitement vanished in a moment. "So, he denied it." Natalie sat on the sofa after finishing her drink. "Yes." "And you believe him?" "I don't know," Natalie admitted, looking confused and lost. "He has no reason to marry me, even in sbizarre way. I'm not a princess from a wealthy family that he could benefit from marrying. He's already like a prince himself, and what would he gain from marrying me, someone abandoned by her own family? If anything, marryingcould cost him his wealth if I claim it as his wife. Why would he risk that? It's not like I'm the last woman on earth." Mia hummed thoughtfully. "That makes sense. But you have to find this husband of yours." "I will, don't worry," Natalie reassured her.