Chapter 230: Setting the Wedding Date

I frowned, my patience thinning, "Cut the nonsense. I'm asking you, how are things going with you and Natasha's wedding?"

"Helena, you're so heartless. Why are you so eager to push me into another woman's arms?"

Seeing Knox getting more and more off-topic, I interrupted him directly, "Knox, don't tell me you're thinking of backing out?"

Sensing the shift in my tone, Knox finally abandoned his flippant attitude. “Rest easy. The date has been finalized. It is scheduled for early next month—less than four weeks away.”

Hearing this, I finally felt relieved, "Good, congratulations. I'll bring my boyfriend to your wedding."

After hanging up, however, my brow furrowed again, "The wedding date is set, but why do I feel something's not right?"

Hearing my words, Atlas placed his hand over mine, “Do not dwell on it,” he said firmly. “I will monitor the situation closely. Whatever happens, we will face it as one.”

I turned my hand to lace my fingers through his. “With you by my side, I have nothing to fear.”

After saying that, we smiled at each other.

A few days later, I made time to visit Ivan at the hospital.

Ivan had improved a lot. Leaning against the bed, the moment he saw me, he quickly sat up, saying with delight, "Helena, you're here!"

"Yes, feeling better?"

I smiled as I entered the room. York poked his head in behind me, "Ivan, Ms. Lockwood brought you lots of fruit. What would you like? I'll wash some for you."

Ivan smiled and waved his hand, "No need, I'm just happy you came. Don't trouble yourself with anything else."

"It's no trouble."

York set down the fruit basket, "I'll just pick out some. You two chat first."

He took some fruit and left. After he was gone, I looked at Ivan's arm in a sling, "How is it? Does it still hurt?"

Ivan shook his head, “The pain subsided long ago. It actually looked far more gruesome than it was.”

He scratched his head sheepishly, “Helena, you aren’t still upset about the incident, are you? After you left, I made it clear to Grandma and Dad that it was merely my own clumsiness, nothing to do with anyone else."

"And about them saying they'd call the police, please don't take it to heart."

"I won't. After all, we're family. I won't dwell on such small matters."

I sat down beside him, "I heard Natasha's wedding date has been set?"

Ivan nodded, "I only heard about it these past few days. The wedding was arranged quite hastily, only a month away."

He looked at his arm in the sling, "My injury might not even be healed by then."

"It's okay if it's not healed. Natasha has been determined to marry into the Pemberton family. This time she's finally getting her wish."

Hearing me say this, Ivan looked up, staring intently at me, "Helena, I heard Natasha's marriage to Knox is because of you. Do you think Natasha will be happy after marrying him?"

His gaze suddenly became very unfamiliar, with a scrutinizing look.

My heart stirred. Was Ivan finally dropping the act?

Thinking this, I smiled slightly and looked at him, "Do you think Natasha will be happy marrying Knox?"

Ivan looked at me again, his eyes carrying a meaning I couldn't understand. Just when I thought he wouldn't answer, I heard him say, "I don't know if she'll be happy or not, but I know this is the path she chose herself. As long as she's happy, that's what matters."

After speaking, his eyes returned to their usual harmless gentleness, smiling at me, "But everyone in the family is very happy about this. I should thank you too."

"No need to thank me. We're relatives. I hope she'll be happy too."

Just as I finished speaking, a voice came from the doorway, "Happy about what?"

Natasha walked in, followed closely by Knox. I stifled a sigh; had I known they were visiting today, I would have avoided the hospital entirely.

Natasha’s expression stiffened momentarily upon seeing me, but then she reached out and pulled Knox over, "Helena's here too. What a coincidence. This saves me a phone call. Knox and I have set the date for the sixth of next month. Your attendance is mandatory.”

Her face showed a victor's attitude, looking at me provocatively.

Seeing her like this, I smiled slightly, "Sure, I'll definitely be there. Congratulations in advance on your marriage."

I turned to Ivan, "If there's nothing else, I’ll take my leave. I’ll let you all catch up.”

As I moved to exit, Knox stepped directly into my path, obstructing the doorway, "Wait, we just got here and you're leaving already. Don't you want to be around us?"

Seeing Knox act this way, I laughed coldly and looked at him, "Knox, you are a groom-to-be. At this stage, are you not concerned that such intense interaction with me might provoke your fiancée?”

Sure enough, Natasha bit her lower lip, her face looking quite unpleasant. Noticing my gaze, she caught Knox’s arm, trying to pull him back. “Knox, leave it. Helena is a woman of importance now; why are you insisting she stay?”

“What, are you jealous?”

Knox reached out and caught Natasha’s chin between his fingers. “I simply thought that since we are to be family, we should grow accustomed to spending time together. Wouldn’t you agree?”

At this point, Natasha seemed to think of something, her expression turning cold. She didn't object anymore, instead saying coldly, "Knox is right. Helena, since you made the trip here, let's sit down and chat."

Looking at their expressions, my heart turned cold. Were they plotting something?

Remembering Knox's methods from my past life, my heart went cold. They definitely weren't up to anything good!

"You're right, we'll be family from now on."

I sat down with a smile, "I just don't know how the wedding preparations are going?"

Bringing this up, Natasha was full of enthusiasm, "Almost ready. Knox has commissioned a professional team to handle everything. I insisted on an outdoor ceremony, and he acquiesced immediately. You are welcome to tour the venue with me beforehand.”

“I think I shall wait for the ceremony itself,” I replied. “There is no need for a preview.”

Seeing me refuse, Natasha didn’t press the issue. “As you wish. We shall see you at the wedding then.”

As she finished, Knox let out a low chuckle, "Speaking of which, you'll be a shareholder of my Pemberton Group from now on. There's a shareholders' meeting next week. Will you attend?"