Wife by Day, Boss by Night

Natalie's gaze lingered on Brian with an intensity that belled the turmoil in her eyes. Tears, long held at bay, finally cascaded down her cheeks.

"I just can't bear to let it go..." she whimpered through her sobs.

Brian, a touch of helplessness in his voice, kissed her gently and coaxed in a low tone,

Once an item goes under the hammer, there's no precedent for taking it back. It's too late for regrets now."

"Can't we at least try to reason with the previous owner? Isn't that possible?" Natalie asked, her voice trembling with tears.

"It's impossible," Brian replied earnestly. "Not everyone has the patience to reason with you as I do."

Brian hoped Natalie would wear that dazzling solitaire diamond resplendently and proudly at their wedding. If the Wrights can't give her confidence, he'll make sure he does.

After much soothing, Brian managed to calm Natalie and led her outside.

Max stood quietly on the balcony of the second floor of his townhouse, watching the couple walk away into the distance.

Natalie seemed to love Brian.

Max had never seen Natalie show a hint of dependency on any man. Even with King, she appeared anything but independent, never once asking for anything.

But tonight, he saw a different side of Natalie, an undeniable affection a woman harbored for a man. He was annoyed to watch but could do nothing if it were what Natalie wanted.

With a deep sigh, he turned and dialed King's number to inform him about the upcoming auction that would send shockwaves universally.

Late into the night, as Natalie lay sleeping, Brian silently got out of bed, threw on a robe, and headed downstairs.

Bagot was in the car, reporting the day's events to Davis. "Yes, Mr. Brian knows Natalie is only interested in the Golconda Diamond, and she's on set..."

He stopped mid-sentence, sensing something amiss. Someone was standing before theContent property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

car.

He hung up quickly and looked up, but it was too late.

Outside, Brian's expressionless face and piercing gaze made it clear he had overheard the

conversation.

10:58

Natalie woke up in her set trailer bed, the pain from the previous night still raw in her

heart

Brian was getting dressed. He glanced back at Natalie sitting in bed and said indifferently, I've contacted the world's top design team to draft the ring design. We should have the initial sketches in about ten days."

"A pear-shaped diamond will look elegant on your finger, not too wide."

Natalie nodded after some hesitation.

Brian walked back to the bedside, leaned over, and kissed Natalie. "You can't escape this,

no more excuses."

Natalie hadn't planned to escape. She was firmly caught by the immense diamond ring worth $2.2 billion that Brian had presented.

"T'll be gone for several days. Your birthday is coming up, and on the morning of your birthday, I'll have Reid pick you up and take you to the city hall. We'll get the marriage

license at nine."

Brian had her schedule down to the last detail, choosing the time based on the

hour of

Natalie's birth.

It was after he impulsively decided to whisk her away to get married, upon finding Kellan's engagement ring'in her purse, and after being delayed by all those complications, that he remembered Natalie's birthday was approaching.

"You're okay with Reid coming back?" Natalie asked, her eyes alight with

surprise, focusing on a different aspect than he.

Brian stroked her head gently and

said softly, “He's been processing his discharge these past few days. Once he gets it done, he'll return."

"And... Bagot?" Natalie probed further.

"Why worry about such things?" Brian continued buttoning up his shirt, answering

without

haste.