Let’s start all over again,shall we?

Chapter 4 Can You Afford The Price?

Nathael squinted, giving her a menacing look with his piercing gaze. Maggie recoiled slightly, trying to calm him down. “Regarding the project in Chronopolis…” “I’ll say it again. Get out of the car!” His voice was icy, chilling the air in the car to an suffocating degree. Maggie felt pressure in her chest, swallowing hard before speaking. “I need to discuss something with you.” Her almond-shaped eyes were cold yet clear, looking at him with unease, nervousness, and a faint glimmer of hope. “Don’t test my patience.” Nathael’s thin lips tightened, his gaze darkening, issuing a final ultimatum. Maggie’s fingertips trembled slightly as she gathered her courage to grab the corner of his clothes, pleading, “Can you trust me just this once?” Considering her past actions, the word ‘trust’ was too weighty for her to say. But regardless, she had to say it. As long as she could put an end to this collaboration and rectify the mistakes that had arisen because of her. Nathael stared at her in silence for a long time. Her eyes were rimmed with red, filled with a faint glimmer of hope. After a while, he chuckled lightly. “Maggie, don’t regret this!” Maggie was stunned for a few seconds, not understanding what he meant. The next moment, Nathael looked away, commanding in a deep voice, “Go.” Alex stepped on the gas pedal in response. Nathael no longer forced her to leave the car. Maggie breathed a sigh of relief, wondering what to say. Before meeting him, she had long pondered on how to persuade him to cancel the collaboration with the Camerons. But when she saw him, all those thoughts suddenly seemed meaningless. After all, she had used the “moment of closeness” from last night as a threat to hand over the project to the Camerons just this morning. Now, she was going back on her word, which would seem suspicious to anyone. Claiming that the Camerons had ill intentions and were scheming? But he already knew that. Saying that the Camerons used underhanded tactics and cut corners? But he was well aware of that. She had forgotten that he had always been a prominent and influential figure. He knew all about her and the Camerons’s little tricks. His compromises were simply because he was willing to do so. Before Maggie could delve any further into her thoughts, the car had already slowed to a stop. She turned to look out the window. It was the yard of a standalone villa, somewhat unfamiliar yet also somewhat familiar. She had lived here for a few years after marrying Nathael in her previous life. But at that time, she was already blind, so it was familiar, but she had never seen every detail of this place. Standing in the courtyard, feeling the wind on her face and listening to the water from the fountain and the rustling of the leaves, Maggie felt a tightness in her throat and couldn’t help but close her eyes. It sounded very similar to her memories, yet also slightly different. After she married Nathael in her previous life, the servant who cared for her once told her that Nathael had planted a sea of gardenias in the yard. You could hear the leaves rustling when the wind blew and smell the faint fragrance. That was one of her few joys at that time. Maggie found solace in this. Even though there was no sea of flowers or flowing water here, it still made her feel at ease. Nathael walked a long way, noticing that she hadn’t followed. He couldn’t help but stop and look back. In the courtyard, starlight scattered, casting a brilliant glow across the scene, while a girl in a white dress stood poised against the gentle wind. Her radiant face beamed with liveliness and joy, looking ethereal like a fairy. Nathael’s Adam’s apple moved slightly and his fingers at his side slowly curled up. Why… Why was she still provoking him when he had already backed down so many times? Feeling his gaze, Maggie looked up. The tall and stern man stood under the light at the entrance, casting a long shadow on the ground. It seemed he had stood there countless times, as if waiting for her arrival. “Regretting it?” His deep voice resonated in the night, and Nathael spoke slowly. Maggie was momentarily taken aback. “What?” Regret what? Maggie didn’t comprehend. Nathael’s gaze grew dark. He turned away and entered the villa. She hurriedly followed. “Nathael, reconsider the Chronopolis project.” Maggie stood somewhat helplessly in the living room. Nathael’s expression remained calm. He leisurely removed his suit jacket and tossed it aside, then loosened his tie with one hand and took off his wristwatch. He didn’t even glance at her or utter a word, yet it seemed as though he was waiting for her to continue. “In reality… the Camerons don’t treat me well. They simply want to set a trap and collaborate with you for their own benefit,” Maggie softly expressed, unable to comprehend his thoughts. Nathael’s slender fingers momentarily paused. He raised his gaze and glanced at her, his eyes filled with inquiry. “What trick are you attempting this time?” Meeting his icy and stern gaze, Maggie’s heart raced. “You’re a businessman. You should know what’s best for you. The Camerons aren’t trustworthy partners. Your emotions will only entangle you in their mess.” Maggie tried to calm herself. The Camerons weren’t unkind to her. At least they were skilled at maintaining appearances. Therefore, if she claimed that the Camerons mistreated her, no one would believe it. But Nathael would believe her. He’d believe her. He must believe her! Maggie wasn’t entirely certain herself. She was merely waiting for the man in front of her to speak. The Harris family had many descendants. It hadn’t been easy for Nathael to attain his current position. Collaborating with a liability like the Camerons was akin to handing him leverage. Thinking of this, Maggie’s heart ached momentarily. In her previous life, he had indeed been dragged down by the Camerons. Coupled with her accusation at the press conference, he had remained silent for a long time. He had paid a heavy price to emerge victorious from the power struggle within the Harris family and secure his position. She had never known the hardships he had endured. Nathael chuckled softly, his dark eyes fixed on her as he spoke slowly. “Maggie, what is it that you truly desire?” Suppressing the panic in her heart, Maggie cautiously replied, “I want you to cease collaborating with the Camerons.” Nathael tugged at the corner of his mouth, his large hand gripping her chin. He said coldly, “Do you think too highly of yourself?” In an instant, he was so close that she could discern his distinct eyelashes, resembling two captivating brushes. “Do you believe you can manipulate me as you please, Maggie? Do you think that with your looks, you can control me like a puppet?” Nathael’s grip tightened, a hint of anger flickering in his eyes. He knew she had met Joseph after leaving the suite and assumed they were plotting a new scheme. “I didn’t.” Maggie knew she had lost his trust long ago. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she didn’t know how to make him believe her. The next moment, Nathael suddenly leaned in close, his thin lips brushing against her ear. His voice was low and seductive. “Or perhaps, can you afford the price?”