Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 175: Natalie’s Offer

"Ryan, will John never return?" Natalie asked after a moment.

"He won’t," Ryan replied without hesitation.

Natalie fell silent. Since John was one of Justin’s people, she had no choice but to accept his decision.

Ryan glanced at her through the rearview mirror and said, "Ms. Natalie, more than anyone else, Mr. Harper must be upset with John would no longer be by his side. John was his most trusted and cherished man—sometimes more like a brother. But there are things even Mr. Harper can’t change. I hope you won’t hold it against him."

Natalie stayed quiet.

Ryan continued, "Mr. Harper may not show it, and he has to keep his kindness in check, but he cares about all of us. Please don’t judge him just because of the situation with John. Even John would never blame him. If I were in John’s place, I’d do the same and accept my punishment without any word asked."

"I wonder if you people are working for businessman or a underworld Don to have such rules," Natalie mumbled to herself.

Ryan kept quiet, focussed on the driving.

After inspecting the home, she sent a message to the owner, confirming the house was ready for move-in, and then returned to her office.

As she stepped into the lobby on her office floor, someone was waiting there.

"Ms. Natalie."

A familiar voice caught her attention, and she turned quickly toward the source. Stunned, she froze in place, unable to believe her eyes.

John.

He stood there, alive and well, looking just as she remembered.

He approached her and bowed his head slightly. "I came to visit you one last time. I hope you don’t mind."

senses, feeling as if the heavy weight that had been suffocating her

asked, still struggling to find the right words. All this time, she had thought the worst—that

aura felt weaker, and she could

She turned and led him

a seat at her desk

"I only came to apologize for failing in my duty to protect you. I believe Ryan will protect you better—he’s

to protect me?" Natalie asked, her voice calm

hesitation, John nodded.

mistakes in their world, even if

you were dead or worse. But I’m

is a heavier burden." He paused, then straightened.

farewell gesture, and turned to

Natalie called after

back at

you go after this?" she

haven’t decided yet,"

about you work for

personal bodyguard. I’ll pay

might not like

he has no control over my decisions. He freed you from his service, which

my life still belongs to him. I’ll always do what

silence and then mumbled, "I wonder what kind of weed he feeds you all to make

We’re all willing to die for him,

to shake John’s loyalty. "Did he tell you that you’re not allowed to work for me or warn you to stay

he didn’t," John

number, and put it on speaker. Soon, a deep, magnetic