Chapter 135 Banquet for Entertainment Journalists
If Natasha weren't here right now, I would definitely hold Serenity in my arms and comfort her properly.
I cleared my throat and said, "It's okay now. I'll have someone take you back."
"Thank you, thank you so much."
She kept bowing as she spoke.
Natasha, standing beside me, snorted coldly, "Serenity, be careful when you get back. Don't say anything you shouldn't!"
"I won't."
Seeing the slap mark still visible on Serenity's face from when Natasha hit her earlier, I frowned, "Didn't the doctor give you any medicine?"
Serenity quickly covered her face and shook her head, "It's just a minor injury, no need for that. Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
She left in a hurry.
Seeing my gaze following her back, Natasha snorted with displeasure, "Knox, you're my fiancé, not Serenity's. Why do you keep staring at her?"
Seeing her jealousy, I put my arm around her shoulder and laughed, "Getting jealous? Come on, it's not a big deal."
"I'm concerned about her because I'm worried she'll go back and say something that'll upset your father."
Hearing me say this, Natasha finally snorted, "That's more like it. Alright, since everything's taken care of, come shopping with me."
"Okay, okay, shopping it is. Today, if I don't buy you at least ten outfits, we're not going home."
At this, Natasha smiled smugly.
Natasha really didn't know when to quit shopping. She kept going for three whole hours before finally finishing.
Looking at the dozens of shopping bags filling the trunk, I pleaded, "Natasha, can we take a break? Let's come back tomorrow?"
"You're tired already from just this little bit of shopping?"
Natasha glanced at me with displeasure.
I pointed at the packed trunk dramatically, "We've been shopping for three hours already. Look, if we buy any more, the car won't fit it all."
"Fine, fine, I'll let you off this time!"
Natasha said as she got in the car, urging me repeatedly to find a place to eat.
At a restaurant, while waiting for the food to arrive, Natasha said happily, "Our engagement outfits have arrived. You need to come with me to try them on."
"Try on clothes again?"
I immediately felt overwhelmed.
Seeing my reluctance, Natasha glared at me, "Knox, do you not want to come with me?"
"No, no, of course I'll come with you!"
Hearing me say this, she was satisfied.
"Don't worry, I won't let your efforts go unrewarded. After we get engaged, your company's problems will be my problems. About the debt issue we discussed last time, I'll definitely help you."
"Then I'll be relying on you heavily."
I jokingly raised my wine glass in a toast, "I'll drink first as a sign of respect. Please help me out in the future."
"No problem."
Natasha raised her red wine glass and clinked it with mine, "Cheers!"
I drank the wine in one gulp before asking, "Has your father thought of a solution?"
"Of course he has."
Natasha said mysteriously, "Ivan should be home in the next few days. When he returns, we'll arrange for him to work at the Lockwood Group."
"Arrange for him to work there? What does that have to do with the debt issue?" I asked, somewhat confused.
"You're really slow sometimes."
"Ivan won't be just any regular employee. His opinions carry a lot of weight. Plus, Dad will definitely get Grandma involved, so just relax."
Natasha's words were overly confident. Helena wasn't a woman who could be easily manipulated.
However, Ivan getting into the Lockwood Group was good news for me.
"Great, then I'll trouble Mr. Lockwood with this. After Ivan joins the Lockwood Group, I'll help him out too, so he can establish himself there."
"You're the best, Knox. I'll thank you on Ivan's behalf."
She affectionately placed her hand on the back of mine.
Looking at her plump fingers painted with nail polish, Serenity's clean hands suddenly flashed through my mind.
Those hands were really appealing. I wondered what it would feel like to have those hands touch my body.
A smile appeared on my lips as I grabbed Natasha's hand and kissed it lightly, "I should be the one thanking you."
My words made Natasha blush, "We're about to be family. Why be so formal?"
She laughed shyly and withdrew her hand, "Helena thought that by breaking things off with you, she could stay away from trouble. She never imagined you and I would end up together."
She laughed smugly, "No matter what tricks she has, the Lockwood Group will end up in our hands anyway."
"So you see, people's fates are already arranged. Some people are just destined for a life of hard work with nothing to show for it!"
"You're right."
Thinking of Helena's heartlessness made me feel like a fire was burning in my chest. That woman—the moment I get my hands on her company, I'll make her kneel at my feet and beg for mercy!
"But Knox, I'm warning you, if you want my help, stay away from Lucy and Serenity. If I hear even a whisper of anything, I won't let you off!"
Seeing her bring up old matters, I quickly reassured her, "How could that happen? My heart and body belong entirely to you. How could I have even half a thought about other women?"
Hearing me say this, Natasha huffed, "You better behave yourself. Otherwise, no one's going to have a good time."
"Yes, yes, Natasha, don't worry. I don't have the guts or the desire."
After calming her down and finishing dinner, I took her home.
Then I went to the engagement venue hotel. Although I had an assistant handling this, this engagement was extremely important to me.
I couldn't allow even the slightest mistake.
I personally went over the schedule again with the hotel manager before feeling comfortable enough to leave.
When I got home, Xavier happened to be there too.
"I checked the hotel, no problems. What about the guest list—how's Dad's arrangement coming along?"
Xavier nodded, "Don't worry, everything's been arranged properly. There won't be any issues."
"Besides the guests, I've also invited some entertainment reporters to give good coverage to the engagement party and help eliminate some negative publicity for our company."
I frowned in disagreement, "Will that work? After all, it's only been a few days since the last wedding. If we're this high-profile, won't it have some bad effects?"
"I've already considered what you're thinking."
Xavier flicked the ash from his cigar and looked at me, "My idea is to take this opportunity to establish a positive image for you, letting the public see that you're not shirking responsibility but bringing home the person you love."