Emmett Cullen had been anxiously awaiting Natalie's return to the villa since returning from the hospital. Her displeasure was palpable when she arrived later than she'd expected. "Does it really take that long to fetch dinner?" she queried, her tone laced with irritation.
Natalie, hesitant to reveal that she hadn't actually met Adrian, offered a soft explanation, "The rain caused some delays."
Emmett's fury, already simmering, boiled over at her response. "You insolent witch! How dare you talk back to me!" she bellowed. In her rage, she seized a ceramic coffee mug from the table and flung it at her.
The white mug hurtled towards Natalie's face, leaving her no time to evade it.
She instinctively shut her eyes, bracing herself for the impending pain. However, instead of the anticipated impact, she felt a figure rush in front of her, and a pair of strong hands deftly intercepted the mug.
She recognized the familiar scent of rain mingled with a hint of tobacco from their earlier car ride.
Upon opening her eyes, she was taken aback to find Adrian, who she thought had already departed, standing protectively in front of her.
Emmett was equally stunned. She rose to her feet, stuttering, "Ah, ah, A-Adrian."
Despite Adrian being Alice's betrothed, his status as a member of the prestigious Howard family and his icy demeanor sent a shiver down Emmett's spine.
Emmett was caught between anger and shock, thinking, "Did Adrian escort Natalie back here? Why didn't this witch inform me earlier?"
"Adrian, you're here. You should have given me a heads-up. Ali-..."
"Mrs. Cullen!" Natalie interjected urgently, cutting Emmett off just as she was about to utter "Alice." If Emmett had indeed said that name, their charade would've been exposed.
"Mrs. Cullen, there was a heavy downpour when I was returning this afternoon. I happened to run into Mr. Howard. He was on his way to visit Mr. Cullen and you. Knowing that I work at the Cullen Villa, he kindly offered me a ride back."
A cold sweat trickled down Emmett's back. "Is that so... go and prepare some coffee for Adrian now!"
"Yes, right away," Natalie agreed. She instructed the kitchen staff to brew a cup of coffee for Adrian before slipping out the back door to her quarters.
Once inside, she leaned against the door, gasping for breath, her heart pounding as if it were about to leap out of her chest. The image of Adrian shielding her from the mug replayed in her mind.
This wasn't the first time Natalie had been subjected to such treatment at the Cullen Villa. Being hit or scolded had become a part of her daily life.
But this was the first time someone had stood up for her...
Back in the living room, Adrian placed the ceramic mug he had caught on the coffee table with a resonating thud. Emmett couldn't decipher his mood, but it was clear that the recent event had displeased him.
Even in his silence, he exuded an aura of superiority, both intimidating and somewhat terrifying to behold.
Emmett regained her composure and ventured, "Adrian, I apologize for the scene you just witnessed. Natalie returned late, and I was worried, so I lost my temper."
"Mrs. Cullen, you are indeed kind, to care so deeply for a maid," Adrian responded, his tone flat.
Emmett's face blanched slightly. She detected the sarcasm in his words but chose to feign ignorance, and then she smiled, "Of course, even though Natalie is a maid, I've watched her grow up. Besides, she and Alice are about the same age, and Alice has always looked after Natalie like a little sister."
Hearing this, Adrian maintained an indifferent expression and chose not to prolong the conversation. He was irritated by the thought of his concern for Natalie when he should be thinking about his fiancée.
He straightened his sleeves and abruptly stood up, announcing, "I have matters to attend to, I should leave."
With that, he turned and strode away, not giving Emmett a chance to persuade him to stay.
It was only when the black Bentley vanished into the rainy night that Emmett's forced smile faded.
Renee seized the opportunity to voice her complaint, "Mrs. Cullen, Mr. Howard was supposed to dine with Ms. Cullen tonight, but Natalie didn't go as Ms. Cullen. Now, she even had Mr. Howard escort her home. She's quite the manipulator!"
Emmett scoffed coldly, "That woman is just like her despicable mother. On the surface, she refused Adrian as Alice, but behind his back, she's trying to seduce him! She's truly low!"
She thought to herself, ’She'd better watch her step, or I will definitely teach her a lesson!’