When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 291

The Smell of Rot

Natalie’s words were a clear dismissal.

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Jensen’s chest tightened painfully, but he knew that if he kept pressing, Natalie would only grow colder toward him.

The last thing he could bear was her disgust.

So he swallowed everything and said quickly, “I heard something today. The baby swap back then-it may be connected to a woman named Rachel. I don’t have all the details yet, but I’ll find them.”

Natalie froze.

“Rachel?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know? Where did you hear that?” Her eyes were sharp, skeptical.

Jensen’s heart ached even more.

Once, Natalie had trusted him blindly, believed every word. Now she doubted even this?

A bitter smile touched his lips. “I saw it while following my mother. She had some kind of dealings with Rachel more than twenty years ago. Now Rachel is threatening her. I’ll investigate further and give you the truth.”

Natalie hadn’t expected Loretta’s name to come up. She couldn’t be sure how much Loretta knew, but if Jensen really had found a lead, she couldn’t ignore it.

“I understand. If it turns out to be true, I’ll thank you for it, Mr. Jensen.”

“Natalie, you know I don’t want your thanks.”

He stepped forward, but Natalie immediately stepped back.

“Except for gratitude, there’s nothing else I can give you. I owe you one for today, but if that’s all, please leave. I have work to do.”

She sat back down at her desk.

The cufflink design lay in front of her. Its beauty only fueled Jensen’s jealousy. Once, all her

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Chapter 291 The Smell of Rot

designs had been for him. Now, they were for Baron.

The thought gnawed at him. But what could he do?

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“Fine, I’ll go. But I’ll keep investigating my mother, and if I find anything, I’ll tell you. So, Natalie… can’t you unblock my number?”

“That’s not necessary. If you find anything, email me. I’ll read it.”

The disappointment in Jensen’s eyes was sharp, but he forced himself to nod.

Natalie wasn’t giving him even the faintest chance.

Still, if he uncovered the truth of what happened more than twenty years ago, she would look at him differently. She had to.

That thought was his only comfort as he left the studio, heavy-hearted.

Natalie didn’t even look up. She bent over her drawing, utterly absorbed, as though he no longer existed.

Jensen lingered outside, staring at her through the glass. The sight of her so focused and serene made his chest ache until he had to turn away.

The midday sun was glaring. His eyes burned with a sudden sting.

If Sharon hadn’t come back, hadn’t insisted on marrying me under the pretense I was dying… would Natalie and I be living happily together right now?

The thought hollowed him out. But then another surfaced-Witch Doctor. The donation records.

No matter what, he still believed Natalie.

His eyes narrowed.

Sharon had to know Witch Doctor. Otherwise how would she have those donation records?

But if she really did know him, why hadn’t she called him after her hand was crushed?

The contradiction gnawed at him.

Though he loathed the thought, there was no avoiding it. He had to confront Sharon.

He drove to her villa.

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Chapter 291 The Smell of Rot

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Servants and the butler moved about as usual, but their faces flickered with surprise when they saw him.

“Mr. Jensen? What brings you here?”

The butler quickly corrected himself, bowing and stepping aside.

“Ms. Summers is resting in her room. The doctor said her health is fragile and prescribed tonics. She’s been sleeping a lot lately.”

The report made Jensen’s eyes glint, unreadable.

“Call the doctor. I want him here.”

He spoke lightly, but his steps were heavy as he headed for Sharon’s bedroom.

The butler, pale, rushed off without delay.

It was the first time Jensen had come since Sharon’s miscarriage.

He opened the door-

A stench hit him full in the face, foul and suffocating. He recoiled two steps, his expression twisting.

“What’s going on? Why does it reek in here?”

His voice was low, cold.

The butler, realizing too late, sprinted toward the room. But by the time he arrived, the damage was already done.

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