Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 260

Chapter 260: Control Freak Jerk

The judges then approached the girl who had sabotaged Natalie’s table. "Miss Kara, we are truly disappointed by your performance. Your work resembled that of an amateur who had no idea what they were doing. I wonder how you even qualified for this competition. You’ve shown no respect for the workspace or the process of creation. You need to work harder, or you might as well leave this field altogether."

Hearing this, Kara’s expression shifted, and she stammered, "I am sorry." Internally, she was panicking. Have I just ruined my own career? So many people are watching this. What if I don’t get a job in the perfume industry? My dream of working for a good company... what will happen now?

Her gaze shifted to Briena, who was deliberately ignoring her. This bitch, she made me do it by offering me money, Kara thought angrily.

Yet she couldn’t reveal the truth. Exposing Briena, meant she would risk her being banned from the perfume industry forever and would make things even harder for herself. While Briena being rich would escape the situation.

The first round was over, and the next was scheduled for the following day.

As Natalie was leaving, she crossed paths with Briena in the corridor outside the waiting room.

"After coming in fifth place and barely escaping elimination, do you seriously think you have a chance of winning this competition?" Briena mocked. "This time, as always, I’m going to win."

Natalie remained unfazed as she replied, "Coming in fifth place is certainly better than paying someone to mess up the chemicals of other participants."

Briena was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered. She glanced around and said, "Stop making things up. Do you think I’ll fall for that and say something I shouldn’t, only for you to record it?"

Natalie couldn’t help but smirk. She gently patted Briena’s cheek. "Little sister, you’ve finally grown a few brain cells inside that empty skull of yours, but you’re still far from being smart."

Briena angrily shrugged her hand off, but Natalie immediately grabbed her wrist in a tight grip, making Briena wince in pain. "I’m not a fan of your voice to record it anymore," Natalie said, pulling Briena closer. Then she leaned in and whispered in her ear, her tone dangerously low and menacing.

"Little sister, this time it’s not just a voice recording but something far more dangerous you’re going to fall into. Trust me, when that day comes, you’ll regret even having the thought of messing up with me."

A chill ran down Briena’s spine. She had always been secretly afraid of Natalie, and hearing her speak in such a way made her feel genuinely scared.

"What are you doing to my daughter?" Clara’s voice interrupted, sharp and concerned.

Natalie released Briena and turned to Clara, her expression calm but her words cutting. "Nothing yet, Clara Ford, but very soon."

Clara immediately grabbed Briena’s hand and asked, "What did she do to you?"

Briena, still stunned with fear, looked at her mother and slowly came back to her senses. By the time she did, Natalie had already left. Briena glanced in the direction where Natalie had disappeared, her expression still laced with unease.

"What happened?" Clara asked.

"Mom... I think... that Natalie is up to something," Briena said nervously. "She’s planning something against me. Does she have proof to show who the true Aroma is?"

"Don’t fall for her act. She can’t do anything," Clara replied firmly. "If she could, you wouldn’t have been signed for that movie, nor would you have gotten first place today. Ignore her. She’s just jealous and trying to scare you because she’s powerless."

Briena nodded to her mother’s reassurances and left with her.

----

Inside Justin’s study, the atmosphere was tense.

"Is there no update on Vincent?" Justin’s cold voice echoed through the room.

"Mr. Harper, since the day Vincent visited Aiden Shaw, he’s been with him. Both of them seemed to be planning something," Noah replied. "But over the past few days, they’ve both disappeared without a trace, and our people haven’t been able to locate them."

Justin leaned back in his chair, his brows furrowed. "Aiden Shaw wouldn’t leave that woman without reason. We need to find out what happened at any cost. I am sure it’s related to those who are trying harm Natalie and her mother."

"Yes, Mr. Harper. Our people are working on it. There are some promising leads, but we’ll need more time."

Justin’s expression remained stern. "Who’s looking after that woman?"

"A man named Eric is with her, and Aiden’s and Vincent’s people are guarding the hospital alongside ours."