Chapter 9 The dread

Vincent kept his focus on her as she walked away, and he caught Jonathan's curious gaze. The boy's eyes were blue... as pretty as his mother’s. Other than curiosity, there was something else in his eyes that Vincent couldn’t figure out.

He wanted to know what was on his mind, but before that, they were out of his sight.

“Let me show you the mansion.” A soft touch on his wrist followed by the mesmerizing voice of Olivia brought him back to reality.

He turned to her and saw her smiling at him.

“Some other time.” A frigid response came from him. He returned to the room, pulling his hand back.

Olivia was a bit disappointed. She pouted and muttered, “How rude.”

Slowly, her smile resumed as she stated, “How long will you resist my charm? Very soon you will follow me wherever I go.”

She went back to her room in a happy mood.

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At 8 o’clock, everyone met at the breakfast. Oscar delightfully introduced Vincent to everybody.

“Olivia already knows him. I'd like to inform you, Natalia, that I've entrusted him with the safety of every one of you. With him here, I have nothing to worry about.”

Despite her dissatisfaction with his decision, Natalia remained silent in front of Vincent. With a perfunctory nod, she smiled gently and continued eating.

While Olivia smiled coquettishly looking at Vincent, Jonathan kept his curious eyes on him. Vincent smiled at him, but Jonathan hung his head down and sipped his milk. This made Vincent a little distressed.

Oscar and Olivia were full of warmth and joy, whereas this mother and son were cold and aloof… just like him. Vincent became interested in them… especially Jonathan.

“Dad, can I take Vincent with me?” Olivia chimed, drawing everyone’s attention. “We have a party this evening. I would like to introduce him to all my friends."

"You are not going anywhere," Natalia snarled harshly before Oscar could respond.

“Why?” Olivia exclaimed with a scowl on her face.

"Because you were out last night, too," Natalia declared vehemently. "What makes you think you have to party every day? Would you like to be kidnapped once more?"

Olivia was itching to squabble with her. But she knew she wouldn't be able to win an argument with Natalia.

She pouted and turned to Oscar, “Dad, have you seen this? She keeps yelling at me. I am not a child anymore. I can go and have fun with my friends, can’t I? It’s my best friend Willa’s birthday, after all.”

Her gaze shifted to Natalia as she said, “Besides, Vincent will be with me. Like dad said, I have nothing to fear if he is around.”

Vincent stole a glance at Natalia before resuming eating. Her solemn expression didn’t go unnoticed by him.

Under the table, Natalia's fists were clenched tight. Natalia deduced from Olivia's behavior that she had a crush on Vincent. Olivia would quickly fall in love with him if things continued like this. Natalia feared that this man could break her heart and plunge her into an abyss of sorrow. She didn’t want her to get close to him.

However, before she could deny it, Oscar gave her permission, “Alright, alright… you can go to the party. But come back early.”

“Oh, daddy…” Olivia exclaimed with excitement, enveloping her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much.”

Her eyes crinkled as she grinned widely.

Natalia was taken aback. She knew Olivia was a cheerful girl. It was, however, the first time she had seen her so entranced. She then turned to Vincent, who was eating calmly across from her.

Those dark orbs that had been staring at her hungrily a couple of hours before flashed in her mind. She reasoned that a good man couldn't have that look. If he did something to hurt Olivia, she wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

Natalia grasped the fork tightly, shooting a death stare at him. It was as though she was ready to poke his eyes.

In the meantime, Vincent raised his head and met her lethal gaze. The anger and warning in her eyes made him flinch. He was perplexed as to why this woman was so hostile to him. He did nothing wrong to her in any way.

“So, Mr. McNeil... you are attending a party with me.” Olivia's sweet and subtle voice made them break eye contact. “Be ready for the evening.”

She sprang to her feet and dashed into her room.

The breakfast was quickly ended, and everyone returned to their rooms. Natalia went to meet Oscar after handing Jonathan his colors and drawing book.

She saw him watering the orchids on the balcony adjoining his bedroom.

“Dad, I need to talk to you.” She approached him.

Oscar gave her a sidelong glance while watering the plants. "You are not happy with my decision," he remarked with a smirk on his face.

“How do you know?” Natalia seemed kind of surprised. She had yet to say anything about Vincent.

“Huh…” Oscar chuckled. "Your expressive face has told me the whole story.”

He set the water can down and turned to her. "Throughout my life, I have encountered a variety of people... some nice, some nasty. Some people are avaricious, while others are generous."

"He is a decent fellow." Oscar tapped her on the shoulder. "I'm speaking from personal experience."

Natalia was taken aback and looked at him with bewilderment. She couldn't understand how he could put his trust in a man he barely knew.

She stated sternly after some time, “You also knew Gerald. Why did you fail to understand how he is?"

Oscar withdrew his hand at once, his smile gradually fading away. It was his biggest mistake ever to marry Natalia to Gerald. He had failed to recognize the true nature of that man.

"Olivia is attracted to him. Just make sure that this man doesn’t hurt her.” She pivoted and dashed out soon after saying this harshly.

While Natalia was talking with her father, Vincent left his room to take a walk for a while. A ball rolled towards him as he made his way up the stairs.

He noticed Jonathan a little away from him when he looked up in the direction the ball was coming from. He smiled as he picked up the ball.

“Do you want to play with me?” Vincent inquired with a playful expression on his face.

However, Jonathan got scared. His little heart started pounding rapidly.

He retreated as he yelled, “Mummy…”

Natalia was leaving Oscar's bedroom when she heard Jonathan screaming. She panicked and hurried out.

“Jonathan…”

Jonathan rushed to Natalia and hid behind her, peeping at Vincent.

Natalia glared at Vincent. She wanted to scold him for having frightened her son, but said nothing, considering that it would make Jonathan even more scared.

Vincent was upset looking at Jonathan’s dreadful appearance. He only wanted to play with him so he could get to know him better. What made that kid so frightened? Vincent couldn't help but think about it.

“I didn’t mean to scare him,” he said, shifting his gaze towards Natalia.

Natalia snatched the ball from his hand and walked away, holding Jonathan’s hand.