From Divorce To Dominance (Natalie Xavier)

Chapter 25

"What things?" Howard suddenly stopped feeling sad. "Come on, Darren, tell me. Even Ethan, who was sitting nearby, leaned in with interest.

Darren's handsome face was half-hidden in the flickering light. He nervously rubbed his hands together. One was his ex-wife, and the other was his friend. There was no way he'd let them be together. Natalie admitted that she still liked Darren, and she wouldn't truly care for anyone else. Howard was bound to get hurt if he fell for her, and Darren wouldn't allow that to happen. "Come on, Darren, Howard urged, spill it, almost bouncing in his seat. "What do you know about her?" Howard waved his hand dismissively. "So what if she is? I

Darren took a moment to consider his words, his voice low and steady. "Rumor has it that she's a country girl and not really a match for you."

Darren couldn't help but remember how Howard used to imagine she lived in a beautiful place before coming to this city, and that's why she's so amazing. If she likes me, and we get married, we can live in the countryside and have a cozy life together.

used to joke that that Natalie was like a cavewoman-wild and uncivilized

Howard continued, his enthusiasm growing. "I'll build us a nice little house, grow some veggies, and maybe even get a dog. Just thinking about it makes me happy!"

Darren chuckled. "That might be wishful thinking. Women from the countryside usually settle down and start families early."

This ought to

t to discourage him. Howard is picky when it comes to women; he never settles for anything secondhand, Darren thought, calmly picking up his drink and feeling quite confident about his point. s true. Nat must be different. She's special."

Howard scoffed. "That's not and told me she's married and has a son."

Darren raised an eyebrow. "A

"Which friend? Do I know him? How does he know about Nat? Rumors like that can be harmful, Howard frowned

would anyone spread rumors about her?"

Darren sighed. "Why would

"You!

never know. She's

lots of fans and haters. The haters can make up anything," said Howard Darren couldn't believe how stubborn Howard was. "What if it's true? What if she

into laughter. "But what if

into it," Howard surprised himself with his own words "I

definitely going to make

floor laughing, nudging Darren. "Don't even try to reason with him; he's

of energy. Tm going to follow Nat on social media. I didn't even say goodnight

mix of emotions and thought, 'How can I convince Howard to

Natalie again and couldn't look away from his

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Chapter 25

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watch. "You guys keep talking. I'm heading out to pick up my daughter

up,

they stepped outside, Ethan stole a glance at Darren, noticing for the first time how grim his expression was. He raised his eyebrows playfully, his flirty eyes shimmering. "Natalie is your ex-wife, isn't she?" Howard might be clueless, but Ethan was sharp. He connected the dots

a moment and said, "Yeah, she still has feelings for

you know she still loves you? I heard she's got

just her way of provoking me.

mischief

the Sweet Love Base. As soon as she stepped inside, she spotted Lynn dressed to

Got some party to attend?" Natalie asked as she let the maid change her into slippers and

off to go

"Have fun then. Tell Dad I miss him and that my heart's

him

have

like that and I'm gonna get jealous. Lynn playfully tapped

her a kiss like a

off to sleep. Just then, her phone rang. Seeing Christian's name flash on the screen, she lazily answered, "So, how are you planning to thank me?" Christian replied excitedly, "Since the

you anywhere," Natalie said