Chapter 21
Jonas had only been teasing Natale earlier because she had looked so thoroughly stunned, her fear practically written across her wide–eyed
expression
“As if this little princess could come up with anything useful, he thought, his lips curling slightly in faint armusement. Well, now that she’s scared of me, she shouldn’t be a problem. Time to get down to business.”
His mind turned coldly analytical, dismissing any lingering humor. Of course, I don’t expect every word out of this little spy’s mouth to be the truth. But the best lies always have some truth hidden in them. Maybe she’ll give me something worthwhile by accident
The moment Jonas stopped smiling, the atmosphere in the car changed drastically. His icy demeanor filled the confined space, and the air seemed to grow heavier.
Natalie carefully clicked her seatbelt into place. Her voice trembled slightly as she repeated. “I really don’t know anything. I just want to bury my parents together and go back to Mastrary. I swear, I’ll never come back here again.”
Her last words “never come back here again“-pricked at Jonas’s nerves unexpectedly. He snored inwardly. Did I ask for her plans? Does she think I care? Why is she rambling about things that don’t matter?
Typical Mastrarian–too soft, too sheltered. She doesn’t even know if she’ll survive the trip to the Northern District, and she’s already thinking about never coming back to Nocriudor again.
He scoffed, his patience all gone now. His voice carried a cold edge as he snapped, “I left your tongue intact–don’t make me start thinking your head is expendable too”
He leaned back against the seat, his tone biting. “Let’s assume for a moment you’re innocent. That lowlife said someone paid him to target you. Think. What value do you have that would make someone go through the trouble**
“What value… Natalie’s mind spun as she tried to
find a
She murmured hesitantly, as if talking to herself, “If the person behind this knows I’m with you, then sending that man to assault me. What would the purpose ber”
Her voice trailed off as her thoughts took a darker turn. She raised her head suddenly, her eyes locking onto Jonas with a flash of realization.
She thought to herself. The attacker grabbed me and tried to rape me here, at this time and place, knowing full well it would be impossible to avoid this man intervening
It’s almost like it was designed to give him a chance to save me. But why? What could they gain by pushing me closer to this man!
The moment the thought struck her, Natalie’s mind seemed to crystallize around one name–Jonas Lawson.
She wondered, ‘Grandpa mentioned him in such a rush, telling me to claim I was Jonas’s fiancée. If there really was a plan for an alliance between our families, and if I’m truly considered his fiancée, then Jonas could very well be using Grandpa and me
“What if everything–my kidnapping, the car crash that put me in this guy’s path–was all orchestrated by Jonas? He could be engineering these events to bring me and this guy closer, giving himself the perfect excuse to strike when the time is right.
And what if it’s even worse What if Jonas holds a grudge against my family? What if he was involved in my father’s death?”
The thoughts came faster, spiraling into darker territory. And on this journey, if the man in front of me hadn’t saved me, if I’d been raped or killed instead, it wouldn’t have disrupted Jonas’s plans.
It might have even helped him make a bigger deal out of it. No matter the outcome, his goal would have been achieved–maybe even killing two birds with one stone.
Jonas observed her intently, watching as her wide, expressive eyes flickered with panic, anger, and realization. Her emotions were on full display. raw and unbltered
His deep voice broke the silence. “What’s running through that head of yours!”
an in front of her. Instead, she
Natalie snapped out of her spiraling thoughts, too ratled to consider whether her answer might provoke the man in blurted out. “Jonas
The name hung in the air, and the man across from Natalie, who had been lounging lazily, immediately straightened. His posture sharpened, and his smoldering eyes locked onto her with a sudden, piercing focus. He was intrigued, curious to see where this might lead.
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Chapter 21
“I think he’s the mastermind,” Natalie said, her voice trembling but firm
Jonas raised an eyebrow, the comer of his mouth twitching with sardonic amusement. A low, mocking laugh escaped him as he leaned back. shifting to a more relaxed position. His foot nudged hers lightly in a casual, dismissive gesture. “Sweetheart, you’re a riot. Truly, you’ve got a vivid imagination”
Her heart sank at his mocking tone, her determination deflating like a punctured balloon. “I know you won’t believe anything I say, but I’m telling you. I barely know Jonas. It’s an arranged marriage. I’m just as much a victim in this as anyone else”
Gathering her courage, Natalie lifted her head again, her gaze locking onto his. She reached out impulsively, grabbing the hand he had resting by his side.
Her fingers gripped his tightly, her desperation bleeding through her touch. “You’ve saved me so many times now, sir. Please believe me. I’m on your side!”
Natalie could have just told the truth–explained that her connection with Jonas was nothing more than a throwaway y comment her grandfather had made. She could have distanced herself from Jonas entirely.
But she knew she couldn’t afford to do that ‘Thaven’t forgotten the only reason this guy agreed to take me with him was because I claimed to be Jonas’s hancée.
If I lose that identity. I lose whatever value I have to him. And until I reach someplace safe, I can only play along and bide my time.
Jonas allowed her to hold his hand, neither shaking her off nor responding. His gaze, however, turned teasing. This little one is trying to sweet talk
The again.
Bold when it sus her, shy as a startled rabbit when she’s kissed, but she’s got no problem seducing me when there’s something she wants
He hadn’t expected much from her to begin with certainly not anything useful. But now he thought. And now she’s accusing Jonas Lawson of scheming against Jonas Lawson? What a riot. She’s really clueless about who I am!
The more Jonas thought about it, the funnier it became Natalie’s genuine obliviousness to his true identity made the entire cituation a twisted sort of entertainment.
“Sweetheart,” he drawled, his voice rich with sarcasm, “we may have slept together, but we still gotta keep the accounts straight. Tell me. How exactly do you plan to repay me?“
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