Chapter 11 No Signature Without a Meeting Chapter 11 No Signature Without a Meeting Jackson's face darkened as he stared at his son , the pressure in the room dropping to ant oppressive low , She had changed completely since her release from prison . A sudden surge of resentment swelled in his chest . It all stemmed from the way that woman had changed . Maybe she didn't love him that much anymore . Or maybe , just maybe , everything had slipped out of his control . " Absurd ! Natalie's already filing for divorce , and you still have the nerve to say something so callous ? " A hoarse , aged voice came from the stairs . With Stella at his side , Gabriel slowly descended . When he reached them , his expression turned even darker . " Grandpa , I'm just telling the truth ! She came out of prison and immediately asked me for a divorce . But a woman like her - where could she possibly go if she left me ? " Jackson's voice was heavy . " You look down on Natalie ? " Gabriel snapped , " She can handle guests and manage a hand - sewed most of the child's clothes those early years and kept this household . She eve house in perfect order . She's been an outstanding wife . Jackson , what exactly are you dissatisfied with ? " Jackson was left speechless . Victoria , sitting on the side , didn't dare say a word . " She's more than good enough for you . You didn't cherish her . And to make it worse , you never even looked into the case back then - you just testified against her . You and your father worked together to send her to prison . Of course she feels wronged . That's why she wants a divorce . " Victoria looked up with a wounded expression . " Mr. Gabriel , are you saying this is all my fault ? " 1/5 6:18 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 11 No Signature Without a Meeting " She'll dig into the truth eventually . Don't say I'm taking sides . The innocent don't need to explain themselves . I believe in Natalie's character ." Gabriel's stance was crystal clear . " Dad , calm down ..." Stella stood nearby , anxious . She had brought them back to smooth things over with the old man , not to poke the hornet's nest . " She may have saved your life once , but people change . You saw what happened today - she even laid hands on the child . Who knows what else she's capable of ? " " And that sauce - Victoria handled it too . Why are you so sure it wasn't her doing ? " Gabriel raised his sandalwood cane and slammed it hard against the floor . The loud thud silenced everyone in the room . The grievance in Victoria's eyes vanished in an instant . The flicker of panic and unease in her expression didn't escape the old man's gaze . " Grandpa , we should rely on evidence . Without proof- " " Oh , but when you accused Natalie , where was the evidence then ? You didn't ask me for proof when I told you it was her . But now suddenly you care about evidence ? " Gabriel's grip on the cane tightened . " The mighty president of Collins Group , so selfish . Don't be surprised if someone catches you slipping one day . " " Dad , enough . " Stella shot her grandson Aiden a look . " Aiden's not feeling well today . Let's not say such heavy things in front of the child - you'll scare him . " Aiden caught his grandmother's signal right away . He climbed down from the couch and walked over to Gabriel . " Grandpa , don't be mad . If you keep getting mad , your beard's gonna grow longer and longer .... " The boy's innocent comment softened Gabriel's mood . He looked down at the child . " Leave him here tonight . Let his grandma take care of him . No need to drag him around so late . You two - go . " 2/5 6:18 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter II No Signature Without a Meeting Jackson opened his mouth but said nothing . 10 Free Coin " And another thing ... " Gabriel stood up and fixed his gaze on Jackson . " I heard Natalie didn't return to Clear Estate . Go bring her back . If she doesn't come home , I'll throw you out . " With that , the old man took the boy's hand and headed upstairs . Aiden glanced back at his father but didn't dare say a word . After returning home , Natalie took a shower and lay down in bed . Her temperature had started to drop , and the dizziness was fading . When she turned over and saw her bag on the nightstand , she reached in and pulled out a high - quality piece of paper, then laid back down , holding it up to the light . A sleek black business card . Marcus . President of Anderson Corp. The second her eyes landed on those words , her lashes fluttered . Among the entire Collins family , the most powerful man was him . She grabbed her phone and saved his number from memory . She might not need it now - but someday , who knew ? Just as she finished saving the contact , an unfamiliar number lit up her screen . She recognized it instantly . It was Jackson . After getting out , she'd bought a new SIM card . But if he wanted her number , it wasn't hard for him to find . She hesitated but answered the call . His low voice came through . " I don't care where you are . You better be back at Clear Estate 3/5 6:18 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 11 No Signature Without a Meeting tomorrow . " Natalie's mind was still echoing with the words she'd overheard in Marcus's study . Every insult was like a thorn , piercing her skin and embedding deep into her chest . But she didn't feel pain - just a bitter kind of amusement . Her voice was ice - cold . " Mr. Jackson , did you have a little too much to drink tonight ? I announced the divorce in front of everyone , and you still expect me to come back to Clear Estate tomorrow ? Did I not speak clearly enough , or are you just hard of hearing ?" Jackson went silent . If Natalie didn't come back tomorrow , Grandpa would probably kick him out the day after . Natalie didn't know that , though . " We'll discuss the divorce when you're back . I'll be waiting at home tomorrow evening . You'd better give me a satisfying answer . Otherwise , I won't sign so easily . " " What's there to discuss ? " Natalie's grip on her phone tightened . The divorce was a done deal . For the past three years in prison , her one goal had been to get away from him . Now that he was pulling this stunt , it had caught her off guard . " If you want my signature , you'd better come back . If I don't see you , I'm not afraid to drag this out forever . " Before she could respond , Jackson hung up . Natalie frowned deeply . She stared at the darkened screen , her frustration rising . -to He was the one who couldn't let go . And now he was the one refusing to sign ? She suddenly couldn't figure out what this man really wanted anymore . Ding- 4/5 6:18 Fri , Sep 26 " * Chapter 11 No Signature Without a Meeting A message popped up on her screen . It was from her best friend , Lucy . " Your line was busy . I need to talk to you urgently . Text me back as soon as you see this . " 200 515 In "A Lady Hard to Please" by CrushReels, a single mother makes a poignant return to the city she fled seven years ago. Her mission: to secure treatment for her son's leukemia, setting the stage for an emotional journey of love and resilience amidst past heartbreak. As her ex-lover reenters her life upon hearing of her return, old wounds resurface, sparking a complex web of emotions and decisions that delve deep into themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the enduring power of love. This modern romance novel stands out for its raw portrayal of familial bonds tested by adversity, offering readers a compelling exploration of human strength and vulnerability. With a captivating blend of heart-wrenching moments and tender revelations, "A Lady Hard to Please" promises a captivating read that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a tale that transcends boundaries and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.