Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 141: True Friends

"Your response is only going to enrage his fans further, after Victor worked so hard to calm them down yesterday. Are you trying to put him in trouble?" The reporter asked.

"If his fans can’t trust his choices and the work he’s involved in, then they don’t deserve to be his fans. Didn’t Victor make it clear in his message that he asked them to trust his decisions?" Natalie countered.

"So, Ms. Natalie, are you sure you haven’t plagiarized this time?" a reporter sent by Sephina asked again, clearly trying to provoke her.

"Do you want me to give it to you in writing with a stamp on it?" Natalie replied sarcastically.

"Well, that won’t be necessary," the reporter continued, "but how about you participate in the upcoming national perfume creators’ contest and prove yourself by winning it?"

"I don’t need any contest to prove myself," Natalie said firmly.

"Are you scared that you’ll be caught again?" the reporter pressed.

"You’re free to think whatever you like," Natalie shot back, glaring at the reporter. "If you’re done asking questions, please excuse me," she added as she began walking away, John by her side. No one dared to stop her.

"Ms. Natalie, do you not dare compete against your sister in the perfume competition because you know she’ll expose you as the thief, plagiarist, you are?" the same reporter called out from behind.

Natalie stopped in her tracks and turned around, her gaze confident and mocking at the same time. "I do dare. But does she?"

"Does that mean you’re participating?" the reporter asked, eager for a direct answer.

Natalie didn’t respond, simply turning and walking away.

The reporters murmured among themselves, buzzing with speculation.

Did she just challenge Ms. Briena?

-----

the newly hired staff all looked uneasy. The news about Natalie’s past accusations of plagiarism had spread like wildfire, and criticism questioning her credibility was

walked in, everyone stood up to greet her, their

news is free to resign. Even if you’ve

exchanging uncertain glances. Over ten newly hired employees

up. "I choose to believe

quickly followed suit, echoing their

Natalie said. "But if you regret it later, that’s not my fault." She then headed to her office, with Dan

was direct with her words. Somehow, this attitude of hers was what made others feel confident in her. All of

she entered her office, she was greeted by an unexpected sight—Victor Reid, lounging on the couch in a tracksuit rather than his usual

do than be here so early in the morning?" Natalie asked, raising an

new work to keep me busy, and with her always being in the news, it’s hard for me to avoid the reporters. So, my only option was to get here before they show up

you come here for?" she asked, her tone

he teased,

Get the hell out of here," Natalie shot back as

surprised by

do?" Ella asked, her voice laced with concern. "You were right—if it gets out that you’re in those photos with Victor, it could cause a lot of trouble. I wonder who leaked this

A line of sweat appeared on her forehead as if she would kneel right

Natalie instructed, her gaze

Natalie," she escaped as fast

scared the little girl," Victor chuckled, "Don’t play with her

none of your business," Natalie shot

as if understood something, spoke, "Ms

her. Ella looked at Dan, who offered her an

could only agree

but what you said..." Ella

align with the theme of the perfume?" Victor chuckled as

do we do about the claims that you’re a plagiarist and that this

work and ignore the noise. The perfume launch cannot be delayed," Natalie said firmly. "As for the rest, leave it to Sephina and Briena Ford. They’ll take