Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

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The room had been eerily quiet since Natasha and Alexei started their whispered conversation.

The moment the words on the screen appeared, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

It was only then that everyone realized that tonight was supposed to be Natasha’s birthday

party.

But since her arrival, aside from a brief mention by Andrew in his welcome speech, there had been nothing for her.

It was clear the real focus of the evening was yet to come.

Even the cake, which should have been cut by the birthday girl, had been pushed back by Andrew until after the engagement announcement.

He wanted Natasha and Lucas to do it together.

But since the bride was switched at the last minute and Olivia still hadn’t shown up, the cake had ended up forgotten in a corner of the kitchen.

Judging from the looks on the Clark family’s faces, it was obvious the fireworks weren’t their idea.

Sighs and murmurs of sympathy swept through the crowd.

Of course, some of it was probably just people trying to win favor with Alexei.

Alexei’s actions toward Natasha just now–whatever his reasons–left everyone’s jaws on the floor, but they also made his intentions crystal clear.

At the very least, Natasha was under his protection for now,

If even he was treating her like she’s the boss around here, anyone thinking of messing with her had better think twice.

Everyone knew what was up with the whole engagement swap.

Some pitied Natasha for getting stabbed in the back by both hersister and her fiancé. Some just found it funny that she couldn’t even hold onto her boyfriend.

Others noticed that the Clark family barely paid her any attention and were already eyeing

her.

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There were even people convinced Natasha would never get over someone as perfect as Lucas, just waiting for her to go head–to–head with Olivia.

But right now, whatever schemes or thoughts people had, everyone was keeping quiet.

It was not that anyone looked down on Lucas, but he just couldn’t hold a candle to him.

Alexei wasn’t just in a different league. He was playing an entirely different game from the rest of them.

He’d long been the real boss of the Turner family, making waves with his overseas businesses, and there were plenty of notorious rumors swirling around him.

Even their fathers and grandfathers had no choice but to swallow their pride and come to Alexei for cooperation.

Seeing how Natasha had Alexei completely under her thumb, they felt that she would not care about Lucas.

Everyone started seeing Natasha in a whole new light.

Some people couldn’t help but stare at the scene by the table. Natasha was sitting, and Alexei was standing.

Meanwhile, Lucas’s eyes were red, and he looked completely lost.

Some even started speculating wildly.

They felt that maybe Alexei had set his sights on Natasha, and that was why the Clark family switched brides at the last minute. Lucas was still hung up on her.

Trying to have it both ways. Clark family sure knows how to play the game,‘ they thought.

cursing under

and chatting with Alexei, his face went completely

learned to fight back, Natasha had never been

guilt–trip her with her grandma’s bracelet to drag her back for the engagement, and she was probably

obviously there to

these two were about to stir up. Andrew felt that Natasha was stubborn, and Alexei

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only Alexei had come for Olivia.

how much she’s wronged, she’d never take it out on

never let anyone off easy. She’d turn on her own family without a

Thomas exchanged a glance, both reading the same worry in

just racking their brains trying to figure out how to

very thing they were

had mostly fizzled out, Alexei finally turned his lazy gaze toward

invitations say this was a birthday party for their

how did it turn into an engagement for the adopted one, and now everyone’s just packing up and

birthday’s supposed to be a

little brother aren’t even here. Mr. Clark, is there some kind of problem with

a sickly shade of

sure that Alexei was there

daughter. Andrew wondered why Alexei was

Alexei had just called out the fact that Madeline and

at the second–floor window earlier had been enough to

a beat.

gone down. He just wanted everyone to move on and pretend it never

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Chapter 56

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up again, it brought everything

crowd.

seeing Alexei with Natasha, who had a notorious reputation and fiery temper,

Noel by the window just now? Isn’t he supposed

Clark families had some drama lately. Matthew wasn’t even on the

some things about

guest

him off because of it. So you already know

too? I swear, her clothes looked like

and Matthew together? Damn, they’re

said, “Poor Lucas. The engagement’s barely official

on.”

asked, “But why did Olivia throw

she got set up, or maybe it’s some freaky new fetish. How can they be unable to keep Matthew

“Man, this is

and messy rumors swirling around didn’t

Lucas’s brows knit

enough to do anything. Olivia must have gotten dragged into

teeth. “Mr.

just had something urgent

shot a pleading look at Natasha, hoping she’d

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dark eyes shifted to her, too, like he was silently asking for her

cake, set her spoon down nice and slow, and blinked innocently. “Honestly? I really

jumped in before she could say more.

never skip her birthday on purpose. She

a moment.”

Andrew felt like he

not invite Madeline and the others