CHAPTER 117

Robert and Brian were thick as thieves, the kind of friends who’d share a beer and a burger without

batting an eye. Sure, Brian had his circle, but no one came close to Robert in his book.

Brian was always wary, a brooding soul with trust for only a select few. Robert was one of those rare

few. It was unthinkable that he would ever harm Robert.

Even if Robert had a gun to Brian’s head, Natalie wouldn’t believe he’d pull the trigger.

[Yeah, I can’t see it either. Over a dame? Murder seems a stretch.] Rosie agreed. [Besides, there’s no

proof. It’s all just idle gossip.]

Realizing her earlier outburst, Natalie paused, then added, [Right, just over a dame. It’s not worth it.]

After mentioning Madelyn, Rosie meandered onto other topics about the cast, praising the new leading

lady.

Natalie spent a while chatting with Rosie before wrapping up the conversation. This is property © .

Staring at her computer screen, immersed in the game’s universe, Natalie fell into a long silence.

No wonder she hadn’t heard about Robert or seen him after returning back for over a month.

But it made sense. Madelyn had always had eyes for Brian. Now that Robert was out of the picture, it

was only natural for her to find comfort in Brian’s arms.

Madelyn always had an air of arrogance about her, and now that she bore Brian’s child, her place in the

Howard family seemed all but assured.

Midnight at “The Aerie.”

Under the cool glow of the neon sign, luxury cars were a common sight.

Natalie parked her car in a nondescript corner across the street and slung her backpack over one

shoulder as she briskly walked up to the entrance of The Aerie.

The bouncer eyed Natalie, who pulled a black and gold card from her bag and flashed it briefly.

The moment he saw the card, he nodded respectfully, “Ms…”

The card was exclusive to the Moore family, the proprietors of The Aerie.

Natalie gestured for him to be quiet, then, tipping her baseball cap down. She slipped in through a side

door.

She made her way through the corridor, past the bustling building, to a serene courtyard. Natalie

unlocked the door with a biometric scanner.

As she pushed open the door, a gust of wind rushed toward her.

12:01

Effortlessly, she caught the assailant’s wrist between two fingers.

“Nice move,” a voice complimented from the shadows.

Natalie released Dave, the butler of The Aerie, and looked toward the source of the voice.

The face seemed vaguely familiar as if they had met before.

“Dave’s getting on in years. She’s only been trained in the basics by two generations of the Moore

family. Her blocking him is just luck,” another figure lounged on a sofa, his tone

dismissive.

Natalie glanced at the two unfamiliar men without a word.

“My apologies. Azure.” Dave said quietly to Natalie.

Azure was Natalie’s code name from her mercenary days with Regal Reavers.

Natalie was there, not to pick a fight, but to discuss some important matters. She was here for a

mercenary job.

“Remington, what do you reckon your odds would be in a scrap with her?” the man who had dismissed

Natalie earlier inquired.

Remington replied coolly, “On the battlefield, it’s not just a matter of strength or sharpshooting. And

bragging about overpowering a woman doesn’t seem like much of a boast.”

After all, the Regal Reavers didn’t top the international charts with brute force alone, it was about skill

Hearing the name “Remington,” Natalie subtly shifted her gaze towards him again.