Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table Gabriel let out a faint snort but didn't say a word .. Everyone in the Collins family knew how he felt - he'd never liked women in the entertainment industry , and he was firmly against Jackson's relationship with Victoria . 10 Free Coins So the fact that Jackson had the nerve to bring her to a family dinner ? Gabriel wasn't about to pretend he was okay with it . As Aiden's condition got worse , Stella quietly led him over to the sofa . Jackson stepped up to defend Victoria , completely on her side . " Grandpa , Victoria would never do something like this . It had to be Natalie . Just like three years ago - she tried to frame Victoria then too ! " His voice was cold , and there was a sharp edge in his eyes . But Natalie ? She f nothing . Right now , it seemed like Gabriel was the only one in this family who still believed in her . " Ms. Foster , even if you hate me , dragging a child into this ... that's going too far- Smack- Before Victoria could finish , Natalie raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face . Everyone froze in shock . Natalie had always been calm and composed - the kind of woman who swallowed her pain and never said a word .. No one had ever seen her snap like this . " I didn't do it , and I won't let anyone pin it on me . I kept quiet once , but if you keep pushing me , I won't just sit back anymore ." Η Her voice wasn't loud , but it carried . Strong and unshakable . At the head of the table , Marcus's eyes lifted slightly . His fingers tapped the table , then paused . The corners of his mouth twitched into a faint smile . Now that was interesting . 1/5 6:17 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table 刷 區 " Natalie ! Are you out of your mind ? " Jackson rushed over and pulled Victoria behind him , glaring at Natalie like she'd lost it . " Three years in prison and you've learned nothing ! You're completely out of control ." Just then , the family doctor arrived . Stella took Aiden upstairs with her without saying a word . Natalie didn't respond to Jackson . She was about to go check on Aiden and then quietly leave . But she didn't expect him to grab her wrist from behind . " Natalie , you're not going anywhere until we settle this . " " Oh , you want to settle it ? " Natalie yanked her arm free , her eyes icy cold . " Fine . I want a divorce . Is that clear enough for you ? " The room went completely still . Everyone turned to stare at her - including Jackson . No one had expected her to say that . Not tonight . Not at a family dinner . She really knew how to make a scene . She hadn't changed at all . Marcus , who'd been quietly watching from the sidelines , finally let his gaze settle on her . He finally saw her in a new light . She wore a long " hite dress , simple and elegant , which made her look even more delicate . Her pretty face was usually pale , the kind of pale you get from not eating right for too long - but now , anger had brought a flush of color to her cheeks . He hadn't expected such power from someone so fragile - looking . She didn't hesitate . Didn't back down . Every move she made was sharp , clean , and decisive . And for the first time tonight - she had his full attention . Still ... every time he looked at her face , he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen her somewhere before . But no matter how hard he tried , he couldn't remember where he'd seen her before . " Natalic , can't you at least pick the right time and place to throw a tantrum ? " Jackson snapped . " If you've got something to say , say it in private . Don't drag our personal business into a family dinner . Aren't you even a little embarrassed ? " 215 6:17 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table Natalie shot Jackson a cold look as he continued shielding Victoria . 1200 " Oh , really ? And what's not embarrassing ? " Natalie shot back , her tone ice cold . " Letting everyone believe 1 poisoned our son's food just to cover for someone else ? Acting like I did it to protect someone who won't even take responsibility for their own mess ? You know what's actually embarrassing ? Doing something and being too much of a coward to admit it . " " Natalic , that's enough- " 200 Before Jackson could finish , a deep , calm voice cut across the room from the head of the table . " Jackson , " Marcus said calmly , his voice low and firm , " if you don't have proof , don't throw around accusations ." The entire room turned toward him in surprise . Natalie followed the gaze - and locked eyes with Marcus . For a split second , she caught something in his eyes . Something complicated . Jackson looked up as well - right as Marcus looked away and met his stare head - on . Jackson froze for a moment , his body tensing instinctively . Why would Uncle Marcus be defending Natalie ? Jackson's father had two brothers , and Marcus was the youngest son of Gabriel and Grace Anderson - barely older than Jackson himself . But Marcus had struck out on his own years ago , building a business empire from the ground . up . His company's value now far exceeded the original assets and influence of the Collins family . In the business world , Marcus called the shots . No one dared challenge him - especially not anyone in the Collins family . Jackson opened his mouth to speak but quickly held back . Just then , the doctor came down from upstairs . The situation , he said , wasn't too serious . The child had been given medication and was starting to stabilize . After the doctor left , Jackson spoke again . " Either way , we need to settle this tonight . " Natalie's voice was calm but firm . " I couldn't agree more . Since everyone's already here , let's make it official ." 3/5 6:17 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table She walked over to the sofa , pulled a folder from her bag , and returned to stand in front of Jackson . She set the divorce papers down right in front of him . Jackson picked them up , his eyes narrowing with disbelief . He hadn't expected her to come this prepared . Not this fast . " Sign it , " she said . " After tonight , we're done for good . " Then , without waiting for a reaction , she turned and walked straight out - leaving the house and everyone in it behind . Jackson stared at her retreating figure , the divorce papers trembling slightly in his hand . She didn't raise her voice . She hadn't caused a scene . But in front of everyone , she'd humiliated him without saying a word . Unbelievable . From the corner of the room , under the warm lights , Marcus's expression remained . unreadable . The faint curve of his lips gave him away . Now that ... was something . Outside the Collins estate , Natalie pulled out her phone and opened a ride app . She was planning to call a car and head home . But the estate was halfway up the hill , and after ten minutes , not a single driver accepted th request . With a quiet sigh , she put her phone away , tightened her coat , and started walking downhill along the side of the road . There was no way she was going back in there . Turning around wasn't an option . She still had her dignity . But less than five minutes in , a wave of dizziness hit her hard . She reached up , pressing her palm to her forehead . Burning hot . The fever was back . 4/5 6:17 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table Just then , a pair of headlights lit up the road behind her . The sleek black Maybach slowed as it passed , then came to a smooth stop beside her . The back window rolled down - slowly , deliberately . Natalic turned her head just as a familiar voice drifted out . " Ms. Foster , " the man said . " Need a ride ? " +10 Free Coins 575 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.