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."

heavy weight that had been suffocating her had finally been lifted,

asked, still struggling to find the right words. All this time, she had

Natalie noticed that his face looked pale, his usual vitality faded. His aura felt weaker, and she could sense that whatever punishment he had endured

and led him

seat at her desk and gestured to him. "Have a

time," John said politely. "I only came to apologize for failing in my duty to protect you. I believe Ryan will protect

to protect me?" Natalie asked, her voice calm

John nodded. "Yes,

understood—there was no room for mistakes in their world,

was worried you were dead or worse. But

if it were death. But... failure is a heavier

bowed deeply, a farewell gesture,

Natalie called

stopped and looked back

go after

decided

you work for me

personal bodyguard. I’ll pay you as much as your previous boss

not like it. I’ll have to decline your offer,

he has no control over my decisions. He freed

for him, my life still belongs to him. I’ll always do what he wants me to do," John

and then mumbled, "I wonder what kind

for him, follow him blindly—even if it leads us off a cliff to fall

no way to shake John’s loyalty. "Did he tell you that you’re not allowed

he didn’t," John

and put it