Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner After two days of rest , Natalie was feeling a little better . But on the day of the family dinner , her head still felt foggy . That evening , after getting herself ready , she grabbed a cab to the Collins estate . +10 Free Col The Collins estate sat halfway up the hill. It had been three years since she last set foot there , and everything about it felt different now . She felt different . As she walked up to the front door , her eyes landed on a familiar Rolls - Royce with a custom plate . So he really did come back . " Mom , dinner's about to start . What took you so long ? You're always dragging your feet ... " Aiden's voice rang out from the front door , clearly annoyed . Natalie glanced at the boy , but her eyes quickly shifted to two figures slipping past behind him . Jackson and Victoria . He actually brought her to a family dinner ? Natalie strode through the doorway , and right away , Victoria's eyes locked onto her . " Ms. Foster , perfect timing . The kitchen's short - handed . Come help out . " The Collins family usually had plenty of staff , but with the holiday , several had taken the day off . At past family dinners , Natalie used to cook a few dishes herself - hoping Jackson and Aiden might actually enjoy the food . But in their eyes , she was just trying too hard . Looking back now , it was honestly pathetic . Natalie watched Victoria head into the kitchen but didn't move an inch . " Mom , go help Ms. Victoria already ! She's been running around all afternoon . Don't let her wear herself out , " Aiden chimed in from behind , giving her a little shove . 175 6:16 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner Jackson stood talking to his mother , Stella Vaughn , not sparing Natalie a single glance . She didn't bother looking at them either and headed straight into the kitchen . The moment she stepped in , Victoria shoved a small dipping dish into her hands . 回 +10 Free Coira " Ms. Foster , this one's just for Aiden . I don't have time to bring it out . Could you handle it for me ? Just leave it by his seat ." Natalie was about to refuse , but one of the maids passed the dish right into her hands before she could say a word . As she walked back out with it , she spotted two familia " Natalie , you're back ? " Gabriel's voice called out . She quickly turned toward the sound , figures coming down the stairs . The first thing she saw was the sharp , handsome face of the man beside him - intense and magnetic . He was dressed in a tailored black suit , a sleek black ring on his index finger making his hand look even more refined . There was something about him - controlled , commanding . He gave off the kind of energy that told people not to get too close . Every time Natalie saw him , the same words echoed in her mind : cold and untouchable . Marcus walked beside Gabriel , making his way down the stairs . His eyes flicked over to her , calm and unreadable , and didn't linger . Natalie's fingers tightened slightly around the dish in her hand . That man - powerful , untouchable , and completely out of her league . She never imagined the next time they'd meet would be like this . After a brief pause , she looked away . " Long time no see , Grandpa ... " Gabriel hadn't seen Natalie in three years . He pulled her down beside him on the couch and spent a while checking in on her before everyone moved to the dining room . Gabriel took the head seat , with Marcus on his right . Natalie sat next to Jackson . Aiden sat between him and Victoria . 2/5 6:16 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner Halfway through dinner , the sound of gagging shattered the cozy vibe . +10 free Coins " Dad , I feel sick ... my skin's all itchy ... Aiden groaned , just as his plate clattered to the ground . He clung to Marcus's hand , trembling and throwing up . " What's going on ? " Gabriel asked in a panic , jumping to his feet . up Jackson immediately rolleen's sleeve . His arm was covered in a red rash . " Aiden's having an allergic reaction ! " Victoria said , her voice tight with worry . " But he's only allergic to wasabi - and none of the food had any ! " No matter how bitter things had gotten , Natalic couldn't just sit and watch her son like this . She rushed over , lifted his shirt , and checked his stomach . It was definitely an allergic reaction . And it was serious . Aiden had been allergic to wasabi since he was little . One time , due to a careless maid , he'd accidentally eaten some and ended up in a coma . This time he'd had less , so he was still conscious - but barely . Jackson picked up the dipping sauce and gave it a sniff . Then he frowned . " Who made this ? " Natalie's eyes snapped to Victoria . " She did ." Victoria immediately shook her head . " But I didn't add any wasabi . And after I made that sauce , I gave it to Ms. Foster to bring out ..." All eyes turned to Natalie . " What's that supposed to mean ? " Natalie's expression darkened , her voice rising . " You think I added the wasabi ? " Own son " Ms. Foster , I don't want to accuse you , but I know I didn't put anything in there . And with everything that's happened ... I get it - you've been holding a grudge since your prison time . But even if you wanted to set me up , did it really have to be like this ? That's your we're talking about ... " 375 6:16 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner The moment the words left Victoria's mouth , everyone turned on Natalie . Anger flickered in her eyes . No wonder Victoria insisted she go into the kitchen . It had all been a setup - she'd been waiting for this moment . A Gabriel , seeing the tension rise , stepped in to calm the situation . " Call the family doctor . Now ." " Yes , sir . " The butler hurried off to make the call . Jackson grabbed Natalie's arm . " Is it true ? Did you really put the wasabi in yourself ?" " I didn't , " she said instantly . " Mom , Ms. Victoria's always been kind to me . She's never done anything to hurt me . But you..... you already hurt her once . Why would you do this to me too ? " " I said I didn't ." Natalie repeated , louder this time . But it was like no one heard her . No one wanted to believe her . And honestly , why would they ? One was a beloved actress , adored by the public . The other had just gotten out of prison . It was obvious who had the upper hand - she didn't even need to say a word . And no matter what Natalie said , it would never be enough . " Three years in prison and you're still this cruel ? You really dragged your own kid into this just to take a shot at Victoria ? That's messed up - what kind of person does that ? " " Mom , I'm really disappointed in you ... " Aiden sobbed , his crying only making the scene more chaotic . Jackson , nothing's been proven yet . Don't throw accusations at Natalie like that . I believe she's not that kind of person ," Gabriel said sharply , cutting through the noise . Everyone froze and turned toward him . Natalie instinctively looked over - and locked eyes with Marcus . He leaned back in his chair , casually watching the scene unfold like it was a show . 4/5 6:16 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner Like none of it had anything to do with him . 10 Free Cons well " Mr. Gabriel , are you saying ... " Victoria's voice trembled as her eyes with tears . " You think I did this ?" 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.