Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325: James’ Invitation For Natalie

As the event was coming to an end, Briena approached Natalie. "Congratulations, Natalie."

Natalie ignored her and looked at John and Ryan. "There’s nothing left to do here. Let’s leave."

"Tsk! Leaving already?" Briena said in a soft but mocking tone. "Well, someone like you has done her job of entertaining the Queen, and now you’re useless anyway."

"I have no spare time like you to lick the so-called princess’s ass and wag your tail behind her. I’d rather do nothing at all," Natalie replied, noticing how Briena had dropped her sweet act now that no one was around to see her.

Hearing this, John and Ryan, who usually acted like unshakable rocks, couldn’t help but react.

"Tsk!" Ryan chuckled, while John commented, "Ms. Natalie’s words are always on point."

Briena’s anger flared. "Natalie, there’s a royal charity event tonight, and all the richest people in the world are coming to attend. You know, Ivan is coming as well, and he will be my date for the night."

"You don’t deserve anyone better than him anyway. Enjoy your date," Natalie remarked mockingly and turned to leave.

But Briena wasn’t ready to give up. She couldn’t stand seeing Natalie so unbothered. She wanted to see her angry, envious—anything but indifferent.

"Natalie, what makes you act so cocky, huh?" Briena sneered. "Only the richest of the rich are allowed to attend. I’m going, but you... you won’t even get a glimpse of it. You’re poor, and your husband is a nobody. Poor you. Know your place."

Natalie didn’t stop walking. "I hope you have enough money in your pocket to bid on something," she replied coolly.

Briena’s frustration grew—no matter what she said, nothing seemed to affect Natalie. "Ivan is coming to win the perfume that’s being auctioned at the charity. You know who made it?"

"Not interested," Natalie brushed her off, but Briena continued anyway.

"Dew, the famous perfumer, made it. Ivan is going to give it to me. Do you know what I’m going to do with it? I’ll study it, analyze it, and learn from Dew’s creation. Soon, I’ll be a better perfumer than you once I create my own masterpiece, inspired by the goddess herself."

"If you’re done, get lost," Natalie said in a composed voice. "If this weren’t a royal banquet, I would’ve slapped you a few times for annoying me. Better leave now if you don’t want to be humiliated."

Briena stopped. She knew better than to push Natalie any further—by now, she was well aware of Natalie’s temper. She chuckled in satisfaction. ’Seems like bringing up the perfume got on her nerves.’

Outside, Natalie was about to get into her car when someone approached her. John and Ryan recognized the man and allowed him to reach Natalie.

"Ms. Natalie," the man in the suit greeted politely. "I’m Lucas, Mr. James Harper’s assistant."

Natalie offered him a light nod. She recognized him as well.

"Mr. Harper has requested that you accompany him to a charity event," the assistant informed her.

Natalie felt like she had misheard. "What?"

"Every guest is required to bring a partner, and Mr. Harper has none," Lucas explained. "Due to Mr. Justin, you are the only familiar person to Mr. Harper."

Still in shock, Natalie simply nodded. "Let me know when I need to be ready."

"Of course, Ms. Natalie. I will send you the details."

Natalie hummed in response and got into the car, still processing the information.

"Back to the hotel," she instructed John.

Once inside her hotel room, Natalie lay on her bed, still in disbelief.

"James Harper wants me to be his date for charity night? What’s going on? I can’t make sense of this."

Just then, her cellphone rang. Seeing Justin’s name on the screen, she felt a wave of relief and answered immediately, speaking in a hurry.

"Justin, do you know what happened today—"

"Calm down. I know."

Natalie paused, then asked, "What should I do? How... why... did he ask me to go with him?"

"As his assistant said, you’re probably the only familiar woman he has there," Justin replied.

"Does that even make sense? There are so many well-known, high-profile women here. He could ask any of them—or, at the very least, hire a professional one..."

"My father has never allowed any woman to accompany him anywhere except Julia. You’re the second one."

"So, should I feel honored now that James Harper chose me?" she said in a sarcastic tone. "When he first saw me at your home, he made it very clear that he didn’t accept me as part of his family."

"Forget what he said back then. Just take this as an opportunity to get to know him better. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed."

"Justin..."

"Are you, by any chance, scared of him?"

"S-Scared... of him?" she faltered. "What nonsense?"

"Of course, I know," she replied quickly, feeling nervous inside. I’ll just look it up later.

Damn! I can’t find it anywhere. I can’t check any of his IDs since he’s not here. What should I do? Oh, I know.