Chương 12: Their Own Plans

Natalie raised an eyebrow at how defiantly calm Justin was acting. He looked composed on the surface, but she sensed he was hiding his emotions and that he was clearly shocked.

"Are you afraid that if you admit it, I would ask for a share of your huge wealth, Mr. Harper?"

Justin chuckled mockingly. "How much do you want? I can give it to you as a pity compensation for feeling disappointed that I'm not your husband."

Natalie scoffed. "You can keep your wealth in the pocket of your expensive suit, Mr. Harper. All I want is the truth."

"I already told the truth. I am not Aiden Handrix."

Natalie stared at him silently for a while, their stubborn gazes locked, neither willing to back down. She realized she wouldn't get the answer she wanted from him today. Whether he was telling the truth or not, she would find out sooner or later.

She stood up. "I will take my leave then. Make sure to send that document back to me. You must have already investigated me and know where I stay."

Not waiting for his reply, she turned and left.

—-

After half an hour, Noah returned. "Mr. Harper, this marriage certificate is genuine," he said, placing the document on the desk in front of Justin, who was engrossed in work.

Justin wasn't surprised. "Did you try to find out the identity of the man?"

"The government office can't reveal personal details," Noah replied.

"Even if they could, I'm sure it wouldn't be enough," Justin said, closing the folder in his hands and setting it on the desk. "She claims she has no idea who this man is, nor when this supposedly happened."

"Yes, Mr. Harper."

"Assign someone to follow her everywhere. Keep a close watch for anyone suspicious around her."

"Mr. Harper, do you really trust her?" Noah asked, his expression skeptical. "What if she's faking all of this to trap you?"

Justin had his doubts as well. If she was up to something, he needed to know before she made her next move. From the short time he'd observed her, Justin could tell she was capable of the unexpected. "We'll find out once you follow my instructions."

"Yes, Mr. Harper." Noah's eyes lingered on the document on the table, as if he had more to say.

"What is it?"

"Mr. Harper, the man in the picture looks exactly like you, even down to the small mole on the left side of your chin."

"Hmm."

He swallowed nervously before speaking further, "Are... you sure that's not you?"

Justin's gaze turned cold at his assistant's words. Noah continued, "Maybe try to remember what you were doing a year and a half ago."

"Noah, how long have you been working with me?" Justin's voice was icy, clearly displeased that his own assistant doubted him.

"Five years, Mr. Harper."

"Then you should know the answer."

Feeling embarrassed, Noah nodded. He knew for certain that Justin hadn't returned to the country in the past five years. He was aware of every detail of Justin's schedule.

"We'll find that man, or whoever plotted this, only by following her. Do not miss anything," Justin instructed. "Also, look into Caryn Ford, her mother. I want every detail from the day she was born."

"She was an orphan..."

"An orphan who became one of the most successful businesswomen without any family support," Justin explained. "She must have made quite a few enemies along the way. Even her death was said to be suspicious."

"I'll gather all the information," Noah assured him.

—

Meanwhile, Natalie had returned to Mia's apartment. As she entered, she noticed Mia engrossed in her laptop, sitting on the couch with a sea of documents scattered across the coffee table.

"Did you manage to meet him?" Mia asked, still focused on her work, not expecting much success from Natalie.

"Yes," Natalie replied, hanging up her bag and keys.

Mia looked up, surprised. "What? Did you really?"

"Yes, I did," Natalie confirmed, walking towards the dining table.

Mia quickly set aside her laptop. "So, is he really your husband?"

Natalie poured herself a glass of water. "Yeah, and now I own half of his wealth," she said, her tone flat.

Mia almost screamed in disbelief and Natalie offered her a bored look as if mocking her for not understanding the sarcasm.

Mia closed her mouth, her excitement vanished in a moment. "So, he denied it."

Natalie sat on the sofa after finishing her drink. "Yes."

"And you believe him?"

"I don't know," Natalie admitted, looking confused and lost. "He has no reason to marry me, even in some bizarre way. I'm not a princess from a wealthy family that he could benefit from marrying. He's already like a prince himself, and what would he gain from marrying me, someone abandoned by her own family? If anything, marrying me could cost him his wealth if I claim it as his wife. Why would he risk that? It's not like I'm the last woman on earth."

Mia hummed thoughtfully. "That makes sense. But you have to find this husband of yours."

"I will, don't worry," Natalie reassured her.

"How?"

"Through Justin Harper."

Mia's eyes widened. "Did he agree to help you?"

Natalie shook her head and explained. "If he's not Aiden Handrix, then he'll definitely want to find this man who looks exactly like him. It's not good for someone in his position to have a double out there. He'll try to eliminate any potential threat before it becomes an issue."

"But for that, you need to be around him," Mia pointed out.

"He'll be around me instead," Natalie replied confidently. "I'm like a link between him and his doppelgänger. Either he'll think I've orchestrated this myself, or that someone is setting me up. In either case, he'll have his people watch over me. All I have to do is go about my life as usual and let him do the work. In the end, I'll reap the benefits of his efforts."

Mia laughed softly. "Even in such a tough situation, you can think things through so clearly. No wonder I want you to work with me so badly. Speaking of which, when are you going to start?"

"I haven't seen an offer letter," Natalie teased.

"Oh, my bad. I'll prepare it and we can discuss your role. But for starters, I want you to create a new perfume. I have plans to launch a new range this quarter."

"Alright," Natalie agreed.

"You're agreeing to everything so easily? You breaking up with Ivan Brown must have been a good thing for me," Mia commented. "Speaking of which, how about you come to the party with me?"

"No."

"But I'm visiting an investor there, and I want you to come with me," Mia insisted.

"If you bring someone as infamous as me, that investor might turn you down before he even listens to your proposal," Natalie replied.

"If he turns me down because of you and doesn't value my business proposal, then I don't need that kind of investor," Mia retorted sharply.

Natalie raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Really?"

Mia adjusted her glasses awkwardly. "Well, it's a masquerade party. No one will recognize us. But I meant what I said." She pulled out her usual cute begging expressions, "You have to come with me. You're my only friend. You know how much I love you. You're the—"

"Alright, enough," Natalie interrupted, cutting off Mia's familiar plea that she always used to convince her.

Mia dropped the act, her expression turning serious as if the playful moment had been an illusion. Her tone became commanding as she focused back on her work, "The party starts at seven this evening. Be ready by then," she instructed, leaving no room for argument.

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