Chapter 1174

Natalie hesitated, realizing the depth of his feelings.

She smiled, wanting to set the record straight. “Matthew…”

“Let’s drop the subject, Natalie. Eat your dinner. Didn’t you say you had something you wanted to discuss?”

Matthew knew what she was going to say and had no desire to hear her reject him.

Relieved that he changed the subject, Natalie let out a quiet breath.

“Right! Matthew, this pan-seared salmon is incredibly fresh. It’s delicious.”

She looked down and focused on her food.

Matthew watched her intently. She always seemed to savor her food, no matter what it was. Without another word, he smiled and began to eat as well.

Every moment spent with Natalie brought him immense joy.

They enjoyed a pleasant dinner, and Natalie eventually transitioned to discussing business. No matter what she proposed, Matthew trusted her completely, and she felt deeply grateful for his faith in her.

She gazed at his perfectly handsome face. In front of her, Matthew was always the picture of a polished, refined gentleman. She wondered what he was like around others.

Was he always this flawless and composed?

He belonged to the most powerful family in the capital. Countless corporations and elite families had to bow down to the Monroe family.

Resting her chin on her hands, she gave him a playful look. Her stunning eyes sparkled with amusement as she teased, “Matthew, aren’t you afraid I’m going to drag you down with me, given how much you trust me?”

Matthew smiled, the corners of his lips curling into a look of absolute adoration. “You’re gorgeous, Natalie. But your beauty isn’t the vulgar, manipulative kind. Your beauty has a purity that pierces straight through to the soul. It makes people fall for you without even realizing it, making them willingly hand over all their trust and devotion.”

She froze, a flicker of sheer astonishment crossing her clear eyes. She never expected him to give her such high praise.

An inexplicable emotion surged within her. Natalie blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a startled butterfly, stirring the ripples to her heart content

She let out a joyful laugh. Who didn’t love hearing a good compliment?

She looked up and met Matthew’s affectionate gaze.

Her voice was laced with a hint of nervous excitement. “You’re making me blush, Matthew.”

Seeing the color rise in her cheeks, Matthew’s gaze grew even fonder.

Natalie’s brilliance was effortless. Just sitting there quietly, she drew him in completely.

Sitting a short distance away, Sebastian found the scene agonizing to watch.

Every time he had spoken coldly to Natalie in the past, he had been pushing her away.

Back then, he believed he had no room in his life for romance. He had to seize absolute control just to survive.

But thinking back on it now, he realized Natalie had been forced to

watch him and Joanna,act *

et dto

inappropriately close, with no boundaries whatsoever.

Now, watching her laugh so freely with another man, he finally understood exactly

how she had felt.

Regret consumed him, tearing at his insides.

His throat felt tight, and breathing became a struggle.

From the very beginning, he had eatalie out of his world,

and

she wasn’t going to just wait around for him forever content

Now that the roles were reversed, he realized how excruciating it was.

Sebastian stared longingly at Natalie’s radiant, smiling face. Her vibrant energy captivated him.

He made a silent vow: *Natalie, if I walk the exact same painful path you walked, will you come back to me?*