Bye-bye Trash! Hello Queen! novel Chapter 42

Sebastian finally snapped, hissing in a low, furious voice, “That’s enough, Natalie!”

Damn, he’s actually barking.

Natalie took a quick step back, bumping hard into a warm chest.

“Careful, Natalie!” A deep voice rumbled by her ear, smooth and intoxicating like a fine aged whiskey. A clean, crisp scent enveloped her, making her tense up for a split second.

She looked up into Matthew’s handsome face, his smiling eyes meeting her own worried ones. “Mr. Monroe, I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?”

Matthew’s eyes glinted with amusement as he gazed into her clever, lively ones. “I think I’ll live,” he chuckled. “Though my heart took a bit of a knock. You barged right in and gave it a good kick. It’s quite sore.”

Natalie blinked. Was he… flirting with me? Oh my god! This is Mr. Monroe! Flirting? With me?! That’s a foul, Mr. Monroe! A flagrant foul!

Sebastian watched them, his expression thunderous as they held each other, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. A surge of rage ignited within him, his narrow eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous light.

“Remember your place, Natalie,” he warned under his breath.

Joanna, however, was seething with jealousy. How on earth did Natalie know Matthew Monroe?

Matthew’s expression hardened instantly. His gaze met Sebastian’s, and in that moment, a silent war was waged and lost a hundred times over.

“Watch yourself, Mr. Griffith,” Matthew said, his tone a clear warning. “Natalie is my date for the evening.”

“Your date?” Sebastian’s head whipped toward Natalie, his eyes blazing with an inferno of rage that seemed to rise from the depths of hell itself.

Natalie just nodded. “Yeah. Got a problem with that?”

“You’re my…”

Joanna smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry, Sebastian. I’ll make sure you get this deal.” If she could secure this partnership, Sebastian would have no choice but to marry her. The thought of her happy future brought an irrepressible smile to her lips.

Nathan didn't follow them, choosing instead to mingle with his own business contacts. The hall was filled with guests, all chatting and laughing amiably over the exquisite spread of food and wine. Natalie, a connoisseur of fine food, eyed every passing tray with a greedy glint in her eye, her "little glutton" expression making Matthew chuckle. He moved through the crowd with easy grace, greeting people as they went.

Even Sebastian found his gaze drawn to Natalie. She looked like an enchanting pixie, and for a moment, he couldn’t look away.

They entered the main hall, a lavishly decorated space reserved for the most distinguished guests. There, seated elegantly, was a white-haired French gentleman of about seventy, still a titan in his company. He was here to negotiate an auto parts deal with Matthew.

Spotting him, Joanna rushed forward, cutting in front of everyone. “Monsieur James, bonjour,” she said respectfully in what she thought was perfect. “I am Joanna. It is an honor to meet you!”

James looked up, his sharp blue eyes filled with confusion. He frowned, “What is this gibberish you’re speaking?”

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