Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

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Natasha’s expression was ashen. “I’ve told you. Lucas and I are over. I won’t marry him.”

Madeline fumed. “Your tantrum won’t change anything–we’ve sent the invitations.”

“Then let your beloved Olivia take my place.” Natasha shot back.

“Stop this nonsense. Olivia and Lucas are close only because of her treatment. And her boyfriend, Roderick, died saving Lucas. Without him, do you think you two could have dated all these years?”

“Perfect. Then Lucas is her compensation.”

“How heartless. I don’t care–you will be at the party tomorrow.”

“No. I’m busy.” Natasha’s refusal was flat. It wasn’t an excuse. Alexei had proposed a way to repay that kiss last night–accompanying him to a Turner family lunch tomorrow.

Madeline’s face darkened. “If you don’t show, what happens to the birthday and engagement party? You’ll disgrace the Clarks.”

“What does the Clark name mean to me? You even planned this party without my input. We’re long settled.” Natasha sneered.

“Settled?” Madeline snapped. “Let me tell you this–it’s never settled. We gave you life. Can you repay that?”

The cruel words flew out. Seeing Natasha’s instantly changed expression, Madeline faltered, with a twinge of regret. She knew how much Natasha hated this “debt of life.”

Watching Natasha’s rigid posture and bloodless face, Madeline turned her head away and spoke sharply, “Your grandmother left me a pair of heirloom emerald bracelets.

“She said one was for Olivia, and the other for you. You don’t even want your grandmother’s keepsakes anymore?”

Madeline knew exactly how to trap Natasha. A bitter smile touched Natasha’s lips. “Last time it was Grandma’s house, now it’s the Suttons‘ bracelets. When those are gone, Mrs. Clark, what will you threaten me with next?”

Ignoring a pang of unease, Madeline stood her ground. “You are my daughter. That bond

cannot be broken.”

Though Natasha gave no clear answer, Madeline left confidently. She knew Natasha so well.

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Chapter 40

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With Josephine’s house just burned, Natasha would never let the last emerald bracelet be destroyed.

Lucas, informed that Natasha would come, breathed a sigh of relief. Their misunderstanding can be resolved over time, but the fact that they’re a couple must be made official.

Alexei returned late from a business dinner. Shawn was about to drive him to his nearest property when Alexei redirected him to Natasha’s

apartment.

Shawn thought wryly, ‘Mr. Turner’s gotten used to being kept, huh? Choosing this tiny girl’s place over a mansion–shameless.‘

But he obeyed instantly and headed to Natasha’s apartment. ‘Since Mr. Turner met Miss Clark, his temper’s softened. A blessing for everyone. Only a fool would let a potential Mrs. Turner slip away,‘ he mused.

Sure enough, once downstairs, Shawn was dismissed. As Alexei walked upstairs alone, Shawn silently prayed for Natasha. He knew the drunken Alexei was no picnic.

But upstairs was opposite his expectation. Alexei unlocked the door with his fingerprint. The apartment was dark, lit only by streetlight. A small figure was curled on the couch.

Alexei had drunk heavily but wasn’t incapacitated. Alcohol, however, stripped away restraint. Normally, he’d turn on the lights and ask what was wrong.

Tonight, he shut the door and walked straight to the couch. He gathered the soft form into his arms, settling her sideways on his lap–an intimacy far beyond their defined relationship.

Natasha had been sitting on the couch, lost in thought, when she’d drifted off to sleep. She jolted awake as someone lifted her. Her body suddenly pressed against a warm, broad chest.

Her fist flew out, caught in a powerful grip. A body thick with masculine energy pinned her gently but firmly in place.

If she hadn’t recognized the voice, she would’ve thought some bold intruder had snuck in. “Stop it,” Alexei said.

“What are you doing? Let me go.” Natasha struggled. Alexei held tighter, stroking her hair, pinching her soft arm–like petting a cat.

Alexei’s head felt fuzzy. Subconsciously, he’d marked her as “safe“-no cloying perfume, no malicious intent. He felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. His touches grew bolder.

Alexei’s build was already brimming with raw strength, and when drunk, he became

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Chapter 40

positively bullish.

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Exhausted from struggling, Natasha wrinkled her nose at the man nuzzling against her neck. With a flick of her hand to wave away the smell, she asked, “You’re drunk?”

“A bit,” Alexei murmured. “Had a visitor? Got bullied in your home?”

“How do you know?” Natasha was startled.

Alexei smiled, not answering. The disturbed shoes, the misplaced water glass, and the lingering unpleasant scent–details in darkness screamed at him. Years in danger had honed

his senses.

And he’d noticed Natasha only slept curled on the couch when upset. The confined space gave her security. Letting her know he’d observed her habits would only make her more audacious.

“Tell me about it?” He rested his head against her neck, his thumb stroking her cheek.

“It was my mom.” Perhaps needing to ease the gloom weighing on her heart, she didn’t hide her embarrassment from her only listener.

Hearing about the birthday party and the planned engagement announcement, Alexei’s eyes flew open in the dark. Drunkenness gone, replaced by lethal sharpness.

A silent, cold laugh formed. Alexei knew the Clarks‘ hypocrisy—always patching things too late. And Lucas? This was his formal declaration of war.

Once announced, society would accept it. That perception would disadvantage Alexei, the outsider. He suspected Lucas would cement it tomorrow regardless of Natasha’s presence.

Fingers idly twisting the lock of her hair, Alexei chuckled. “Since they’re so eager to invite us,

we must go.”

“Us?” Natasha asked.

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