From Divorce To Dominance (Natalie Xavier)

Chapter 5 Hit Him

Darren thrust her away, his face a mask of frost as he bit out, "Natalie, don't test me!"

Natalie blinked innocently. "Mr. Luther, playing hard to get much? We ended on a clean slate, like strangers. I'm just returning the favor." She tilted her head, mischief dancing in her eyes, a teasing grin making her all the more captivating. Darren's expression clouded. His throat constricted, his temper souring. "If you're so well-behaved, why haven't you left Greton?"

Natalie tugged at her hand, still clamped in his grip. "I left, but now I'm back. Shocked? Didn't anticipate that, huh?"

"Natalie!" Darren barked. In the past, she'd follow his lead, never meeting his gaze so defiantly.

His hold tightened in frustration. "Don't push me! Whatever brought you back to Greton, you need to head back to that mountain right now. Or I'll make sure you can't stick around. You've got twenty-four hours. Don't be within my sight tomorrow!" Natalie clicked her tongue, her eyes icy. "What if I refuse to leave?"

Darren regarded her with disdain, a smirk of cold sarcasm on his lips.

"What? Did I give you 30 million dollars and now you think you can challenge me? Natalie, in this town, I can make or break you. Remember, you can't outplay me!" He gritted his teeth.

"Let's see who plays their cards right," she retorted, tucking a loose strand behind her ear, her voice steady and confident. "Mr. Luther, don't get ahead of yourself."

Darren forced a laugh through his fury. "Fine, but don't come crying to me later!" He released her and stormed off, not looking back.

Vivian's skin was already marring from their brief tussle. She rubbed her wrist, frustration surging, then spotted him walking away. "Stop!" she called. "Wait!"

Darren slowed his pace, not stopping. He figured she was second-guessing her boldness. After all, she knew his clout; she must be wanting to apologize, to beg for leniency.

He wore a calm smile, relishing the control, the panic in her voice as she pleaded, feeling more at ease.

her high heels echoed, growing

of his head. Something hard and pointy had nailed him,

the back of his head. His eyes bulged when he

studded-and his head spun. "Did you just hit me with

chuckled, her tone light. "Truth? That 1 million

"What kind of madness

glare, Natalie shot back, "I told you to stop. Didn't you hear me? If you

hitting me with your bag

with

me like that?" he demanded, disbelief and anger mingling

used to it; you will," she smiled sweetly, adjusting her bag with an elegant flair, towering over him in her heels, eyes locked. "I've got

your wedding plans. Marry a dog, for all I care. Just give me a heads-up-I'll send my best

but Natalie

a thing for you, but that's ancient history. Face it and quit

Darren said nothing.

from now on,

his

a slender finger on her lips, shaking her head in

"Alright, Ms. Xavier, you've pushed me too far. You'll regret this." With that, he

her, she slipped into the venue just in time. The red carpet video of

explosive; the director was thrilled. "Let's seize the

the Sweet