Nathalie scrunched her brow and reached into Nathan's pocket, pulling out a cigarette pack that was nearly empty.This belongs to .

With a look of displeasure, she waved the pack at him. "Is this what you call smoking just a little bit? You little rascal, when did you even start this habit?" Nathan tried to defend himself, his voice carrying a hint of guilt. "Sometimes when I'm feeling down and stressed, I light up one or two to take the edge off." A touch of worry crossed Nathalie's eyes. "When do you feel so down and stressed? Why wouldn't you talk to me about it?"

Nathan was left speechless; all his stress and sorrow stemmed from her.

Nathan's silence made Nathalie sigh. "Nathan, I want you to know that life will throw many challenges your way, but you should always take care of your health." Nathan got a good scolding from Nathalie but ended up chuckling. "Okay. I heard you."

Only then did Nathalie let it go. She added, "By the way, Ashley was looking for you earlier. She wanted me to tell you she's waiting for your invitation to dance." Nathan's face clouded over instantly.

Nathalie gave him a curious look. "What's the matter?"

With a hint of bitterness, Nathan replied, "I really don't want to dance with her. Nathalie, how about you and I hit the dance floor instead?"

Nathalie stepped back. "If I dance with you, all those girls who have a crush on you will tear me apart."

Nathan looked thoroughly bummed out. He suddenly missed the good old days when he was younger, and Nathalie would pinch his cheeks, pat his head, and even lie in bed with him to take care of him when he was sick. Those gestures of affection were so natural. Now, even though she instinctively wanted to be close, her rational side always pulled her back, keeping her at a distance. She lived too cautiously, too carefully.

Nathan grumbled, "This party is so dull. Nine out of ten women here are marriage candidates my family has pushed onto me. But I don't like any of them. Am I supposed to keep myself pristine for them?"

Nathalie was pretty open-minded. "Nathan, one day, when you're at the top of the world, you'll have the freedom to choose whom to marry. You can marry whoever you want!" Nathan looked at Nathalie intently. "But what if... the girl I like doesn't like me back?"

Nathalie reassured him. "You know how amazing you are, Nathan. What girl could possibly turn you down?"

Nathan's face broke into a wide smile.

Meanwhile, Cameron sat in the gazebo, lost in thought. When he finally left, he accidentally bumped into someone. To his surprise, it was his mother.

Cameron broke into a cold sweat. Kristina was famously superstitious, and if she'd overheard what Nathan said earlier, she'd definitely blame Greta for bringing bad luck into the family. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"If you can be here, why can't I?" Kristina replied with a chilly tone.

Cameron pulled Kristina aside to a more private spot. "Mom, Dad and his mistress have secretly tied the knot. They're a family now. You shouldn't stress yourself out over them."

But Kristina seemed deaf to Cameron's words. She just stared at him. "Did you even pay attention to what Nathan said?"

Cameron was taken aback. He

decided to feign ignorance. "He and

Nathalie are in this together.

Whatever he's saying is clearly hot out of goodwill; he's helping Nathalie get back at Greta..."

Suddenly, Kristina snapped, pushing Cameron away with force. "He called you a lovesick fool, and he's absolutely right. Cameron, look at what you've brought upon yourself for that woman."

"You've gone bankrupt, and your father has disowned you. You've lost everything because of her, and still you refuse to see the truth."