Chapter 8

Natalie

Rules?! Punishment?! That was never part of the plan. Who does he really think he is to lay out rules and regulations for me?

“What rules?” I asked, ready for a fight if he mentioned something that would discomfort me in any way.

“Rules you'll follow because you live under my roof, of course.” He gave me an expression that made me look stupid and dumb.

“In that case,” I crossed my arms, ready to fight fire for fire. “I also have rules that you must follow.”

“Interesting,” he smirked at me. “I'd like to see the set of rules a dumb woman like you could come up with.”

“You…” I said through closed teeth. My jaw clenched tightly. He had called me dumb a lot of times already. Maybe I was,I fell for his plan without thinking twice.

“First of all,” I moved forward, closing the space between us. “This marriage is in name only,you are not allowed to touch me.”

“Touch you?” He laughed. “Do you feel you're worthy enough to be touched by me?”

“Rule number two.” I ignored him. “We stay in separate rooms.”

“Rule number three, you will not force me to do anything I do not want to.”

He walked over to the couch and sat down. He threw his head back in laughter. “You're so funny, Natalie banks.”

“Well, these are my rules.”

I gulped down saliva, getting the feeling he was going to spout rules that would be the end of me.

“Rule number one,” he began.

My heart raced, nervous and guessing what his rules would be. But, I couldn't let my fear out.

“You have to be home before 10 at night, else you'll be locked outside.”

I didn't flinch.

“What else?” I asked.

“That's all for now,” he smirked.

I turned around, ready to leave.

“Don't be so sure of yourself Natalie Banks.”

“I won't.”

The servants led me to a guest room opposite Lucien.

It was wide, well furnished, floor to ceiling windows, warm decor and just everything I liked. Tired and exhausted, I sat on the large bed. It was large enough to contain 5 people.

I took out my phone from my pocket and searched for the day's headline. My name made the top ten searches.

Natalie Banks: married to her father's rival.

Natalie Banks: the slut of the business world.

Natalie Banks: disgraced at her supposed victory hour.

My hands hovered around the screen for a while before I finally checked the comment section. Some people felt bad for me, while some kept calling me a slut and a failed daughter.

I felt angry, but I couldn't voice it out. My image had fully been destroyed, thanks to Lucien and his evil plans that actually worked.

I dropped the phone on the bed, wanting to clear the fog of confusion in my head, I needed to shower.

I looked around, wanting to make sure there weren't any secret cameras around as I couldn't predict that pervert’s mind.

Slowly, I took off my dress, the thin fabric sliding off my smooth skin and pooling on the floor. I went into the bathroom,it was large and screaming luxury.

After setting the water temperature, I slid into the shower and let the warm water fall like rain over me. The past few days have been so frustrating and full of roller coasters that I never thought I could handle.

A thought came to my mind, if only I hadn't gone rogue that night, dad would still be alive. If I had just talked it out or given up, he would still be in this world,and I wouldn't be stuck with Lucien for three damn years!

Maybe, it's my fault I'm stuck in this kind of situation. Tears fell down my face, but the water from the shower didn't let me know the difference.

How could I survive three years with that monster!

I couldn't, I had to find a way to overthrow him from my father's throne.

He couldn't just usurp my throne and make me a slave to him, I wouldn't allow it. After showering, I put my clothes back on and called Freya. She picked on the first ring.

“Hello,” she sounded like she'd been expecting my call. “Mrs Natalie?”

“Freya, could you do me a favor?” I asked,my heart racing and hoping she would help me this one time.

“Mrs…if I help you now, it'd be treason against the new boss and I could end up losing my job.” She said.

I totally understood where she was coming from, everyone has their own life and bills to sort, but I had no other option but to ask her for help.

“Please, Freya. I can't let Lucien make my father's company a laughing stock.” I pleaded. The company was Leon's legacy. My legacy. And I would protect it no matter the cost.

“Mrs Banks…”

“Please Freya,” I interrupted. “We both know how good my father was,he doesn't deserve this Freya and you know that.”

I could hear her fall silent, followed by a heavy gulp. She was probably contemplating whether I was worth the risk.

“What if we get caught?” She asked me.

“We won't.” I reassured.

“Alright then Miss,what do you want me to do?”

I smiled. Carefully, I told her what to do and when it would be convenient to get it done and reduce the risk of getting caught.

After that, I ended the call and smiled to myself. Lucien could bask in his temporary victory, I really couldn't care less.

A maid knocked on the door and told me that dinner was ready and served. I left the room amd walked down the hallway. The paintings on the walls were beautiful and aesthetic. I never thought Lucien could be one to invest in art.

As I walked down the stairs, I could already see him sitting at the table, tearing his steak apart with the cutlery.

I smirked.

I was totally going to destroy him.

Lucien Voss would definitely beg me for mercy.