Chapter 447
Back when Natalie was at the welfare home, whenever a couple came looking to adopt, she would do everything she could to stand out and be chosen.
She tried her best to show them the most well–behaved and capable version of herself, hoping they would take a liking to her and adopt her. That way, she could escape that place where she couldn’t even get enough to eat, and was often bullied and looked down on by the other kids.
But no matter how hard she tried to be her best, the couples looked at her with the same cold expression.
They didn’t want to adopt her.
They didn’t want her at all.
And now, Eleanor’s gaze was exactly the same.
“Because your mother had abandoned you.”
“Do you believe that she’ll abandon you again this time just to save herself?”
Gregory’s words echoed in Natalie’s mind, sending a cold chill rushing from her legs to her spine and up to her scalp.
No!
Natalie’s body trembled uncontrollably. She struggled with all her might and broke free from the bodyguards who restrained her. Right as she did, she lunged toward Eleanor and collapsed at her feet.
Eleanor was startled by the sudden movement and instinctively took a step back.
It felt like a knife had stabbed deep into Natalie’s heart.
She desperately wanted to ask Eleanor why she didn’t want her and why she abandoned her.
She tore the cloth from her mouth. With tears welling in her eyes, she started hoarsely, “Mo-”
Before the word could fully leave her lips, Eleanor panicked and raised her hand.
Natalie’s face was suddenly struck with a sharp smack. Her eyes snapped open in shock. The burning pain on her cheek told her Eleanor had slapped her hard without mercy.
Eleanor’s hand trembled, but her voice was cold and steady as she said, “If you’re wrong, you must admit it.”
Natalie’s trembling eyes reflected Eleanor’s cold expression. Tears spilled over uncontrollably, streaming down her face.
“I never expected you to do something so disappointing,” Eleanor said coldly, accusing her. “If that’s the case, then you must accept the punishment.”
At that moment, every last bit of hope in Natalie’s eyes vanished. She just stared blankly at Eleanor.
Eleanor turned her head away, refusing to look at her.
Anathea watched the scene unfold with a heavy heart, but she felt no sympathy. Natalie deserved every bit of this.
Suddenly, her wheelchair moved. Louie was pushing her..
Shocked, Anathea looked toward Adrian. Adrian gave her a reassuring smile, asking her to relax.
Slowly, Anathea appeared from behind the screen.
Natalie’s expression darkened the moment she saw Anathea. She hadn’t expected Anathea to be hiding behind the screen. Didn’t that mean that she had seen everything?
A wave of humiliation swept over Natalie. Her body trembled uncontrollably as she bit her lip hard. However, no one present
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Chapter 447
showed her any sympathy.
“You have only this one chance to apologize.” Gregory’s voice rang out with force and authority.
If she missed this chance, it wouldn’t just be the loss of resources and assets anymore.
+25 BONUS
Natalie clenched her fingers so hard they dug into her palm. Sharp pain quickly spread alongside the bright sting of blood. Unwilling to give up, she glanced at Eleanor again, but the latter didn’t even glance back.
Holden, growing impatient, snapped, “Hurry up. Just apologize. Don’t put Eleanor in a difficult position.”
Natalie said nothing. She took a deep breath, scanning everyone around her as if she wanted to etch their faces deep into her
memory.
She swallowed her tears, pressed her tongue against her molars, and slowly moved forward to kneel in front of Anathea.
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”
