Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 268

Chapter 268: Shocking News

Caryn had been watching the final round of the competition on the TV screen until the very end. Once it was over, her mind fixated on Natalie’s description of her perfume and how she spoke of her husband as the most important person in her life.

Frown lines appeared on Caryn’s forehead as she muttered, "Giving this much importance to a man is nothing but the biggest mistake any woman can make, and my daughter seems to be walking the same path—the path I despise the most."

Eric, who had also been in the room watching the competition, heard her and turned to look at her. "Which man do you regret having? James Harper or Jay Ford?"

Caryn turned sharply to glare at him, her eyes piercing like daggers.

Eric cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well... Jay Ford was never a man in your eyes, so James Harper... maybe?"

She clenched her teeth, her patience clearly thinning. "If you’re that free, get me every bit of information about Natalie’s husband. With age, you’re turning useless, Eric and don’t prove me right on this."

Eric simply hummed and kept quiet. He didn’t know how to tell her who Natalie’s husband really was. Aiden’s twin brother? And how did all of this even happen? How would she react when she found out it was Aiden who orchestrated everything without even letting Caryn know?

As Eric was processing it all, he didn’t realize he himself was still in the dark about the full truth. He only knew Natalie’s husband as Aiden Shaw’s twin. But if Eric knew the man was actually James Harper’s son, he would have probably fainted from shock—especially knowing Caryn’s past with James Harper.

"Eric," Caryn called for him, her voice calmer this time.

"Yes?" the man replied.

"You still don’t know where Aiden has gone?" she asked.

Eric sighed helplessly and shook his head. "Trust me, I truly don’t know."

Caryn drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Eric, I have a really bad feeling about this. Whenever I feel this way, something terrible always happens. Do something and find out where Aiden is."

"I’m already trying, but..." he sighed again, frustration lacing his voice, "He’s blocked all my ways of reaching him."

Caryn clenched her fists, the veins on her frail hands visible beneath the thin layer of skin. "Once he’s back... I’m going to disown him for real this time."

Eric could only hum in response, his own expression turning deeply worried.

—---

The black luxury car entered the gates of the grand villa. Natalie had fallen asleep in Justin’s arms. The driver opened the door, and without waking her up, Justin carried her straight into the villa.

Reaching the bedroom, he gently placed her on the bed. He removed her sandals and covered her with the sheets. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he adjusted the pillow under her head and carefully brushed her messy hair away from her face.

Smiling lightly as he looked at her peaceful expression, he thought, ’She drains all her energy facing her enemies and then comes home like this.’ Leaning down, he gently pecked her forehead.

Just as he was about to move back, a hand tugged at his tie, stopping him in place. Surprised, he looked down at the hand gripping his tie and then at the face of the culprit. Natalie’s sleepy eyes were now open, gazing at him.

Justin raised a brow, only to notice her eyes drifting toward his lips.

Whenever she was tired and sleepy, she would act out of the character. Last time she was acting cute and now she was trying to seduce him.

She tugged at his tie gently, pulling his face closer, only to kiss him. Justin was surprised, but at the same time, he couldn’t deny how much he liked her bold actions.

Justin kissed her back, only to feel her hands move to wrap around his neck, pulling him into a deeper kiss. Having no other option, he shifted entirely onto the bed and gave her what she wanted.

Her tongue sought him desperately, demanding more, and Justin kissed her with equal passion. The kiss lingered, long and intense. When they finally pulled apart, Natalie was utterly breathless, gasping for air.

"Don’t you know how to breathe in between?" he teased, his gaze lingering on her flushed face.

She opened her hazy eyes and looked back at him. Despite her heavy breathing, her gaze remained fixed on his lips—moist and far more tempting after the kiss.

Justin could see right through her. He caressed her cheek and whispered against her parted lips, "Don’t tempt me when you are not ready to bear the consequences."

Natalie came back to her senses at the warning in Justin’s gaze and tone, quickly averting her eyes from his face.

His lips curved into a smirk as he brushed his thumb over her swollen red lips. "You skipped lunch because of the competition. Rest here until lunch is ready for you."

Natalie nodded and watched him stand from the bed. She inhaled deeply to calm her racing heart and closed her eyes.

Justin stepped out of the room. Once he reached his study, Noah, who had been waiting for him, informed him, "Mr. Harper, our people have found leads on Aiden Shaw and Vincent."

"Where are they?"

"Somewhere far from here and currently engaged with those attackers from Dark Shadows," Noah reported. "It seems the enemies sent another group to harm Ms. Natalie and her mother, and Aiden Shaw intends to deal with them before they get here."

"That’s a reckless move," Justin frowned. "But it seems he’s lost his patience and wants to know who’s behind all this."

"It does appear so. There’s no other explanation," Noah added.

"Have our people help them," Justin ordered, "and arrange for me to leave there as well."

"Yes, Mr. Harper."

After a while, lunch was ready. Natalie and Justin sat together for a quiet meal. Natalie noticed that Justin seemed preoccupied, though he didn’t let it show outright.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

He hummed in response and added more food to her plate. "I might have to leave for somewhere, and I’ll be away for a while."