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?

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tense atmosphere. Ella, Dan, and the newly hired staff all looked uneasy. The news about Natalie’s past

she walked in, everyone stood up to greet her, their faces full of unspoken

rumors being spread in the news is free to resign. Even if you’ve only worked here for a few

glances. Over ten

spoke up. "I choose to believe in you,

quickly followed suit, echoing their

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

woman clearly never tried to please anyone, but was direct with her words. Somehow, this attitude of hers was what made others feel confident

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

anything better to do than be here so early

me any 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 outside your

did you come here for?"

be," he teased, "but seeing you

shot back as she

weren’t surprised by the

we 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

jump in the fright as if she was caught red handed. A line of sweat appeared on her forehead as

coffee," Natalie instructed, her gaze

Natalie," she escaped as fast as she

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

none of your business," Natalie

understood something, spoke, "Ms

Ella looked at Dan, who offered her an assuring nod, "Listen

only agree to

issue, but what you

theme of the perfume?" Victor chuckled as he leaned back lazily on the couch. "She’s

about the claims

be delayed," Natalie said firmly. "As for