Chapter 131: You Should Apologize
"Yeah."
I gave her a perfunctory response and walked toward John, who was standing behind her.
"Mr. Lockwood, Mrs. Lockwood, my father is already waiting upstairs. Please, this way."
John nodded and headed upstairs on his own, ignoring Willow behind him.
Willow glanced at me and said with a smile, "Knox, long time no see."
"Yes, Mrs. Lockwood, please."
Serenity, who had been following timidly behind, came over and quickly glanced at me before saying, "Knox, we meet again. I really shouldn't have come today, but I—"
Before she could finish, Natasha walked over and shoved her aside, snorting coldly, "Get out of the way. Stop trying to suck up!"
Then she linked her arm through mine with a haughty expression. "Let's go up. Don't keep your parents waiting."
I murmured in agreement and glanced at Serenity, who stood there looking aggrieved with her head down, like a schoolchild who'd done something wrong.
I didn't expect Natasha to bully her like that. Feeling a bit sorry for her, I was about to call out when Natasha pulled me upstairs.
After both parties were seated, the atmosphere was warm and cordial.
The meal ended on a pleasant note. After seeing the others out, Xavier held John's hand and talked for quite a while.
When we got home, Xavier sat down and had me pour him a glass of water. After taking a sip and letting the alcohol wear off, he finally spoke. "This is worth a try."
I sat down and after a moment of silence said, "Did the Lockwood family promise something?"
Xavier nodded. "Not exactly a promise, but John kept hinting that he could easily control Helena's family. Since he's so confident, we might as well give it a shot."
"What do you think?"
If I had a choice, I certainly wouldn't choose Natasha, but compared to the company's future, this small sacrifice was nothing.
"I'm fine with it."
Hearing this, Xavier nodded. "Good. Then get ready. John and I will discuss it soon and arrange an engagement party for you two as quickly as possible."
My hands unconsciously clenched. Was I finally reaching this point?
Were Helena and I finally becoming the past?
But thinking about marrying Natasha, I suddenly felt a surge of satisfaction. So what if we broke up? Helena still couldn't escape me in this lifetime.
Imagining Helena attending my engagement party with Natasha, I even started looking forward to it.
The engagement party was set for ten days later. When Natasha heard the news, she was naturally overjoyed, wanting to tell the whole world, and even started coming to the office much more often.
This gave me a massive headache, and I warned her several times to stop coming to the office, but she completely ignored me.
When I spoke too harshly, she would cry and act cute.
I was so annoyed I could only let her do as she pleased.
"Alright, let's do it that way."
After I finished giving instructions in my office, I suddenly heard a commotion outside.
Before I could stand up, there was a loud bang as the office door was shoved open and Lucy came in, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Mr. Pemberton, I want to resign."
"What's going on?"
Before I could finish asking, I saw Natasha sauntering in.
When she saw Lucy, she laughed mockingly. "What, going to complain to my fiancé?"
She walked over and put her arm on my shoulder in a possessive gesture.
I frowned and looked at her coldly. "Natasha, this is the office."
"Honey, why so serious? I'm not disturbing your work."
She giggled and looked at Lucy. "Go ahead, keep complaining. Tell Knox how I bullied you."
"You!"
Lucy's face turned red with anger at her arrogant attitude. "Mr. Pemberton, I want to resign!"
Honestly, Lucy had stayed by my side for so long not just because of her beauty—her work ability was also top-notch.
Seeing her like this, I knew Natasha had been giving her trouble again.
I frowned at Lucy. "Go back to work. We'll talk about the resignation later. I'll give you an explanation for today."
When she still didn't move, my frown deepened.
"Go on."
Only then did Lucy reluctantly turn and leave.
After Lucy left, Natasha immediately complained, "Knox, why didn't you approve her resignation? Can't you bear to let her go?"
Hearing this, my expression became more serious. I looked at her. "Natasha, Lucy is my secretary. Even if she did something wrong, she can't just be fired over a few words."
Hearing this, Natasha pouted stubbornly. "I knew you'd take her side. Knox, we're going to be husband and wife. She's just a secretary—what's the big deal if she's let go?"
Seeing her being unreasonable, my temper suddenly flared.
"Then tell me, why should Lucy be fired?"
"Isn't it enough that she's trying to seduce you?"
As soon as Natasha said this, my anger shot through the roof.
"Natasha, you need evidence when you make accusations!"
Seeing me angry, Natasha was startled and quickly tried to placate me. "Knox, I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, you can ask people in the company—they all know."
I slammed my notebook shut.
"Natasha, this is the office. You're not allowed to set foot in here again. If you don't agree, then we won't have the engagement."
As soon as I said this, Natasha was shocked. She pouted. "Knox, you'd actually cancel our engagement over an outsider?"
I looked at her coldly, my voice devoid of emotion.
"You've come to the office and made scenes repeatedly, seriously affecting my work. If you don't change, then let's just call it off."
"Knox, are you crazy? Don't you know that without me, creditors might show up at your company any minute!"
I looked at her, my voice growing even colder. "Then let them come. I'd like you to see whether the company will collapse without you or not!"
Seeing I was serious, Natasha finally panicked.
"Knox, I was just joking. I don't really want Lucy to leave."
I snorted coldly. "Didn't you say Lucy was trying to seduce me? How did you change your mind so quickly?"
"I was just guessing randomly. Knox, please forgive me."
Seeing she knew she was wrong, I softened my attitude accordingly.
"Then go apologize to Lucy."
"I have to apologize?" Natasha exclaimed.