I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 123

After an hour's drive, Natalie arrived at a chateau on the outskirts of the city.

The gates opened automatically. As she parked, she saw Aaron Lee already waiting for her.

"Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Ramirez is inside."

Natalie nodded. "Aaron, you should probably stop calling me that."

She hadn't pressed the issue last time because Alexander hadn't signed the papers, but it was time.

Aaron led her around a corner. "But you haven't received the final divorce decree yet. You are still Mrs. Ramirez."

Natalie was speechless. He was right. Technically, until the papers were finalized next month, she was still Alexander Ramirez's wife.

They passed through the chateau and emerged into a breathtaking, open space. An endless vineyard stretched before them, the vines heavy with clusters of purple grapes.

Aaron led her to one section of the vineyard and gestured inside. "Mr. Ramirez is in there."

"Alexander is in there?"

Natalie was surprised. Without another word, Aaron simply nodded and retreated to a distance.

She had no choice but to walk in. Her high heels sank into the soft earth with every step, creating small pits in the ground. She moved cautiously, but her footing was unsteady. Just as she was about to fall, a strong arm wrapped securely around her waist.

She turned to see Alexander standing behind her, dressed in gray work clothes, a wicker basket slung over his shoulder filled with freshly picked grapes.

"I forgot to tell you to wear different shoes," he said, then shifted his tone. "Although, I was starting to think you weren't going to show up."

The Ramirez Group's auction house had acquired a collection of world-class paintings, including Mr. Green's. However, this type of auction wasn't their specialty; they needed a more expert firm for appraisal and valuation. Billy Firth was the perfect choice, possessing a stronger client base for such art. Consequently, The Ramirez Group had invited Billy Firth to co-host the auction.

Alexander had chosen this location for their meeting. Natalie had assumed he was conducting business here and it was simply convenient. She never imagined he would be out here picking grapes.

"The traffic was heavy," she said, stepping back as she felt the warmth of his hand on her waist. "I understand the terms of the collaboration. I'm here simply to discuss the profit-sharing agreement."

Every aspect of such a partnership had standard commission rates, making it a straightforward negotiation that shouldn't take long. Even in her heels, she figured she could be done in half an hour.

Natalie was rendered speechless, her lips pressed into a thin line. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

"Besides, I'm not just idling away my time. This winery is mine, and I planted the grapes in this vineyard with my own hands. Now that it's time for the harvest, it's only right that I pick them myself."

Natalie hadn't known Alexander owned a winery here, let alone that he'd personally planted the vines.

"Alright, we're short on time. Go get changed. I won't let you work for free."

If Billy Firth weren't still establishing its reputation in Cabinda, if it didn't need to expand its client base, and if The Ramirez Group wasn't the perfect partner to achieve that, she would never have given in.

After she changed, Alexander pointed to a wicker basket on the ground. "Put the picked grapes in here."

As she reached for it, Alexander picked it up himself and gestured for her to turn around. He slung the strap over her shoulder, his warm breath tickling the back of her neck.

"Don't take your anger out on my grapes," he murmured, handing her a pair of pruning shears.

Natalie shot him a glare. She wasn't that petty. She turned and started walking forward, but the basket was tugged from behind, pulling her back.