The Ash Queen's Return: Reclaiming Her Crown novel Chapter 3

Natalie looked down to see a little girl who looked to be around five years old.

She was wearing a cute, white princess dress, and her hair was done up in pigtails. She was also holding an expensive stuffed toy in her arms.

"Are you the lady that Daddy saved? He'll be back soon," said the girl.

She lifted her head and stared unblinkingly at Natalie with huge, sparkling eyes. "You're amazing, miss!"

There was admiration written all over her dainty face.

Natalie was startled.

The little girl gestured excitedly. "I saw everything just now! You beat up the bad man until he screamed! Just like the heroine in a movie!"

Natalie laughed. She was about to reply, but then her eyes suddenly widened.

When the little girl raised her hand, her sleeve slipped, revealing a dark red, butterfly-shaped birthmark on her left shoulder.

Natalie instantly stopped breathing.

That birthmark… looked exactly as the one in her memories.

Natalie reflexively stretched out a hand and asked in a trembling voice, "Kiddo, is—"

A cold, masculine voice suddenly interrupted her. "Star!"

Natalie had reached out a shaking hand, trying to touch the birthmark, but she was violently pulled away just before she could.

The deep, cold voice of a man rang out from behind her. "What are you trying to do? Stay away from my daughter!"

Natalie staggered and looked back to meet a frosty gaze.

The man was tall and wore a suit that highlighted his figure well. His jaw was chiseled, sharp as a knife's edge.

Horatio Hurrell—the leader of Hurrell Group and a familiar face in financial magazines.

Natalie instantly recognized him.

She quickly calmed down and said pacifyingly, "Sorry, I had the wrong person. Thank you for sending me to the hospital, Mr. Hurrell. Please let me know your contact information. I'll reimburse you for the medical expenses going forward—"

Horatio interrupted her, a hint of scorn flashing through his eyes. "There's no need for that. You'd best deal with your own affairs first, Ms. Lunsford."

He snorted inwardly. He had encountered plenty of women like her who employed petty tricks like this just to get his attention.

The little girl—Estella Hurrell—suddenly exclaimed, "I like this lady, Daddy! She's really amazing, and she smells good! I want her to be my mommy."

"Star!" Horatio snapped sternly, picking her up.

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