From Divorce To Dominance (Natalie Xavier)

Chapter 17

It was a message from Howard: [Hey, Darren! Am I seeing this right? Why are you in my Nat's backup boyfriend group?]

Darren: [You're in it too?]

Howard: [Of course! Who wouldn't love Nat? I'm number 3011 Pretty cool, right?]

Darren: [What's so great about that?]

Howard: [Wait a minute, bro! You're about to marry Vivian, and how you're switching sides? Don't try to steal Nat away from me!]

Darren rubbed his temples in frustration. He thought hopelessly, 'What is with all this drama?"

Darren: [Natalie isn't my type. I'm not interested in her. I just wanted to meet her once, and then she pulled me into this group.] Howard: [If you're not interested, why even meet her?]

Darren: [It's not me. Grandpa wants her to come to dinner at our place.]

Howard: [No way. I AM SO Shocked.]

Darren: [Are you filled with nonsense? Get lost!]

Darren tugged irritably at his tie. Ever since Natalie returned, it felt like nothing was going right. Business at the company was dull, like some hidden force was working against him. His plan to marry Vivian was also falling apart. Without Henry's approval, Darren felt completely stuck. And now he couldn't even handle Natalie.

He wanted to ask her out, but ended up in this annoying group instead. Plus, he just found out his buddy is trying to go after his ex-wife. Even though he didn't have feelings for Natalie anymore-she was just his ex-it still made him uneasy to think about his friend and her together.

Anyway, everyone knew Howard was a player. He switched girls almost every month, the longest relationship barely lasting a few weeks. Considering this, Darren decided not to mention that Natalie was married and had a kid. Instead, he tried once more to reach out to her. But no luck.

could message her on WhatsApp, she must have found it annoying

really done it now. You cannot run away from me forever. Tomorrow you're on that Sweet Love live stream, and I might as

*****

Sweet Love, a mix of fans and reporters buzzing with excitement. Everyone knew today was the day Natalie was going to join the live auditions. After everything that had happened recently, Natalie's popularity shot up-she was practically as famous as top

Keaton was going to publicly apologize to Natalie today. It was practically guaranteed to go viral. Many reporters had already written their articles and were just waiting to snap some photos for

sky, and sweat dripped down everyone's faces. Yet, nobody dared to leave or

Lincoln pulled up slowly. The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting Natalie's name,

a line of bodyguards stepped out, tall and tough, creating a protective

beautifully carved chair and placing it on the ground. A fair, long leg stepped out, followed by a stunning face

board, their show was

showed off

she said lightly, a

cameras, Keaton forced a smile. "Ms. Xavier, I apologize for my disrespectful comments

tone casual but firm, making

to bow! Who did she think she

in place, Natalie shrugged and

walked out like this, he could already picture the headlines mocking him on Twitter. "Ms. Xavier!" he called after her, and then turned to Keaton with a serious warning. "If you mess this up, don't blame

all the chances he'd have to put her in a tough spot during the live auditions later, his anger started to fade. Gritting his teeth,

"Now that we've got the bow and apology, can we move on to the

eyebrow. "After you,

let's

by side toward the backstage, with even more viewers tuning in than the first episode. [What's the deal with Natalie? That's Oscar, and

"Natalie"? She should be called Ms.