Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 141

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?

-----

Natalie entered the office and immediately noticed the tense atmosphere. Ella, Dan, and 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 everywhere.

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

Natalie scanned the room, her gaze firm. "Anyone here who doesn’t trust me and believes the rumors being spread in the news is free to resign. Even if you’ve only worked here for a few days, you’ll be compensated with two months’ salary. No one will stop you."

The room fell silent, the staff exchanging uncertain glances. Over ten newly hired employees seemed unsure of what to do.

Finally, one of them spoke up. "I choose to believe in you, Ms. Natalie."

The others quickly followed suit, echoing their support.

"That’s your choice," Natalie said. "But if you regret it later, that’s not my fault." She then headed to her office, with Dan and Ella following closely behind.

This woman clearly never tried to please anyone, but was direct with her words. Somehow, this attitude of hers was what made others feel confident in her. All of them resumed their works, no one wanting to resign.

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

"Don’t you have anything better to do than be here so early in the morning?" Natalie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My boss hasn’t given 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 office," Victor replied casually.

"What did you come here for?" she asked, her tone flat.

"I just wanted to see how pissed off you’d be," he teased, "but seeing you so calm, I have to admit—I’m disappointed."

"Jerk. Get the hell out of here," Natalie shot back as she sat down at her desk. _{fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com}

"That her scandalous image doesn’t align with the theme of the perfume?" Victor chuckled as he leaned back lazily on the couch. "She’s quite self-aware, isn’t she?"