In that moment, Nathalie's mind went completely blank. She let go of all her worries about the world and clung tightly to Nathan. With a strength she didn't know she had. Her petite frame pushed through the crowd, dragging him away from the chaos.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

The shouts of Nathalie's ex-in-laws filled her ears. Kristina's voice was raw and piercing as she screamed furiously, "I've been married to you for thirty years, gave you my wealth, my time, my energy, all without hesitation. And what do I have to show for it? Your betrayal. I could forgive you for leaving me with nothing, but you went too far by scheming against our son. You made him pave the way for your illegitimate child, then kicked him out of the company. How could you be so heartless?"

Griffin looked panicked, his voice shaking as he spoke. "Please, don't do anything reckless. Listen to me. Cameron is my son, too. How could I possibly do that to him? Don't worry, I'll give Cameron a lot of money. With his smarts, he'll bounce back in the Capital." Griffin's mixed messages drove Kristina to despair. "But you promised Dawson International would always belong to Cameron. And now you're talking about starting fresh? You've been lying to me..."

With no trust left in Griffin, she hurled the sulfuric acid she held. It splashed onto Griffin and his current wife, sizzling on contact. Griffin screamed in agony. Inevitably, some guests were also caught in the crossfire, crying out in pain as the acid splattered on them. In an instant, the dance floor turned into a nightmare, filled with gut-wrenching screams.

Nathalie couldn't afford to worry about the injured guests; she was focused on getting Nathan to the car outside.

Half an hour later, Nathalie had Nathan at the hospital. The doctor removed Nathan's shirt to assess his injuries.

Standing by his side, Nathalie's heart

sank when she saw the wounds on Nathan's back. The acid had eaten

away at his flesh, leaving a palm-sized, gruesome wound that exposed bone. The pain he must have felt was unimaginable, and tears streamed down Nathalie's face.

Nathan was pale and sweating heavily, but was more concerned about Nathalie's distress than his own pain. "Nathalie, it doesn't hurt," he tried to downplay it, but his frail voice gave him away. Nathalie reached out to gently wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Nathan, why did you save me?" she couldn't help but scold.

Nathan replied, "Nathalie, I would willingly risk my life for you."

Nathalie sobbed even harder, gasping for

air.

"You're such a fool.

174.

You can't put up with this. I'm different 've been beaten since was young and even had surgery on my back. This pain is nothing to me. Why did you have to take this hit for me?"

Nathan felt a pang of sorrow for Nathalie, his eyes instantly welling up. "Cough... If I had known you suffered so much before, I should have found you sooner. From now on, won't let anyone hurt you."

Whether it was pity for Nathan or his heartfelt words, Nathalie suddenly threw herself into his arms, crying her heart out. "My life is worthless. It's not worth your kindness." "Don't talk nonsense," Nathan said, uncharacteristically angry. "Have you ever thought that the person you so easily dismiss is someone else's precious jewel?"

Nathalie was left speechless and was at a loss for words for a long time.