SWNOVELS Chapter 809
“Let’s face this together. We’ll take the security detail with us. Whatever comes our way, we’ll navigate through.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, Natalie nodded.
As they journeyed to the studio, Natalie restlessly shifted in her seat.
“Please speed up. I fear for Lexi.”
Brandon’s hand tightened around hers, his words a soothing balm.
“Lexi will be okay.”
Tears brimmed in Natalie’s eyes, her voice quivering as she confessed,
“If anything happens to Lexi, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Don’t worry.”
Brandon leaned in, his voice a comforting blanket.
“The security team is already en route. They’ll keep Lexi safe.”
The reassurance offered by Brandon breathed a moment’s respite into Natalie’s fraught nerves.
Yet, the calm was fleeting, her heartbeat quickening again as she contemplated the impending confrontation.
Could this chaos be the handiwork of the puppet master she was yet to unmask? Was this turmoil another thread in their intricate web of conspiracy?
And most importantly, how was she to counter it?
A single misstep could have catastrophic consequences, potentially escalating the crisis and tarnishing the Larson family’s and the White family’s standing.
These dire thoughts fanned the flames of her anxiety.
A heavy burden settled in her chest, a stone sinking into the depths of a still lake, pulling her down with its weight.
The only solace Brandon could offer was the reassuring squeeze of his hand, a silent promise of unwavering support. Yet, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of helplessness that hung around Natalie like a specter.
In the silence, the car came to a halt before the studio entrance. The sight that greeted Natalie was a chilling confirmation of her worst fears.
The studio was engulfed by a sea of people, waves of chatter crashing against its walls. The cacophony was a storm of voices, the subjects of their heated debates lost to the chaos.
The moment the media sharks spotted Brandon’s car, they swarmed towards it, circling like vultures. Their cameras were a barrage of flashes, their questions were bullets fired relentlessly through the car doors.
“Miss White, what’s your perspective on Vivi’s tragic demise?”
“Miss White, whispers of your involvement in Vivi’s death are swirling. Any truth to these claims?”
“Miss White…”
The questions rained down, each a thirsty plea for Natalie’s response.
Just as Natalie was unsure of how to proceed, her vision suddenly went dark.
Brandon had removed his suit jacket and placed it over her head. The car door was opened, and with Brandon’s protection, Natalie exited the vehicle.
As soon as they stepped out, a journalist holding a microphone made his way through the crowd towards them, asking,
“Excuse me, may I…”
But before the journalist could finish, he was silenced by Brandon’s sharp, icy gaze.
His commanding presence was a testament to his role as the CEO of
Larson Group. His mere look was enough to instill fear in these seasoned journalists, prompting them to instinctively halt their probing questions. The Larson Group held sway over a significant portion of the economic lifeline of Barnes, solidifying Brandon’s unmatched influence and power in the city. Any missteps against him could result in losing their footing in Barnes. with just a flick of his wiist. Recognizing the potential consequences, the reporters didn’t dare to further obstruct Natalie for an interview. They could only watch as she and Brandon made their way into the studio.
Sean, having served by Brandon’s side for many years, viewed this scene as routine. With the bodyguards, he quickly dispersed the media and onlookers, ensuring his boss and Natalie could enter the studio unhindered.
Though she was engulfed in darkness, Natalie felt a sense of relief as the commotion around her gradually subsided, and she found herself securely in
Brandon’s arms. Her tense nerves started to relax slightly.
Fortunately… Brandon was there with her.
As soon as they stepped into the office, they were greeted by the sound of mournful sobbing.
Natalie returned Brandon’s jacket to him and, with a stern expression, calmly walked deeper into the office.
Seeing them approach, Lexi quickly ran over. Her usually cheerful eyes were red and teary, her expression a mix of confusion and distress.
“Boss…”
Lexi’s voice broke.
Natalie gently patted Lexi’s shoulder, her voice soft.
“Lexi, thank you for your help earlier. Now that I’m here, you can leave the rest to me.”
Her eyes still red and filled with tears, Lexi nodded and glanced apprehensively at the tense atmosphere in the reception room. She warned them with a note of concern,
“Vivi’s family is there, and they don’t appear to be in a good mood. Please, be careful.”
Inside the reception room, several robust men were huddled around two weeping elders, speaking forcefully in a dialect that was unfamiliar to Natalie.
The two elderly individuals helplessly wiped their tears, their sobs echoing through the room, evoking a sense of empathy in all who heard them.
Standing at the entrance of the reception room, Natalie couldn’t help but observe the humble and desolate appearance of the two elders. She was reminded of
Hannah, who had raised her since childhood, and she felt a wave of sympathy and compassion. However, before she could utter a word, an anxious voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention to Natalie.
“Miss White, Mr. Larson, why have you both arrived personally? I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to convince them.”
Suzanne, who had been seated on the sofa, rose with an apologetic expression and approached Natalie. Her tone and demeanor both reflected her sense of helplessness.
“These individuals are all Vivi’s relatives. I had intended to accompany them to Barnes to handle Vivi’s funeral, but they were adamant about meeting you. I apologize for the inconvenience.”