Woke Up and Left the Cage of My Marriage 20
Chapter 20
“Find out everything there is to know about Derek Lawson! I want his entire background and their next public appearance!” Ethan’s voice was warped with rage, carrying a chilling, almost bloodthirsty edge.
Soon, the opportunity arrived.
A top-tier charity gala for fine jewelry was being held in Zurich. The up-and-coming ” Aurora” brand had been invited, and both Natalie and Derek would be attending.
Ethan dressed with absolute precision that night, doing everything he could to keep up appearances and cling to his last shreds of pride. He was determined to see it all for himself- to make his presence known.
The gala was a dazzling scene, overflowing with socialites, the fragrance of perfume, and elegant silhouettes.
It didn’t take long for Ethan to spot Natalie in the crowd.
She wore a dark green velvet gown-simple in design, yet perfectly accentuating her graceful figure. Around her neck was the necklace she’d designed herself, the one called “Wings of Freedom.”
At her side stood Derek, handsome and at ease in a tailored black tuxedo. Together, they looked so perfect it almost hurt to see.
Ethan, holding a glass of wine, walked straight over and inserted himself into their
conversation.
His gaze cut sharply to Derek, every word edged with hostility. “Mr. Lawson, it’s been a while. I didn’t think a small business like jewelry would catch your eye.”
Derek lifted his glass, smiling in a polite, distant way. “Mr. Fletcher, good to see you too. Jewelry isn’t really my focus, but I am very interested in Lark’s talent-and in her, as a person.”
His eyes turned to Natalie, gentle and focused, full of open admiration.
The moment Ethan showed up, Natalie’s small smile faded, replaced by the cool, distant look she always gave him.
She didn’t even glance at him. Instead, she spoke quietly to Derek. “Let’s go look at the displays.”
“Of course,” Derek replied smoothly. He nodded to Mr. Fletcher. “Excuse us, Mr. Fletcher.”
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They walked away, side by side, moving in perfect sync. Derek’s hand hovered just behind Natalie’s waist, protective but respectful. Ethan felt his blood rush to his head, the jealousy and rage almost tearing him apart.
He threw back his drink in one go. The liquor was ice-cold, but it couldn’t put out the fire inside him.
His entire plan to win her back had failed. All he’d done was push her toward someone even stronger.
That sense of powerlessness, of defeat, nearly broke him.
Enraged and humiliated, Ethan turned his fury on the one target he still had control over-the Bennett family.
He made his move, cutting off the most important projects and cash flow for the Bennett Group, plunging them into a crisis they’d never seen before,
He called James Bennett, his tone cold as ice. “Tell your daughter to come home immediately. Otherwise, you can watch your family go bankrupt.”
He thought blood ties would be enough to bind Natalie.
Forced into a corner, James Bennett finally got through to Natalie’s phone after many failed attempts.
His voice, as always, was laced with hypocrisy and anxiety. “Natalie! You can’t be stubborn anymore! Ethan Fletcher isn’t bluffing this time! The family’s about to collapse! You need to go back, apologize, make up-there are people who would give anything to be Mrs. Fletcher…”
On her end, Natalie was sitting in the “Aurora” studio, editing a draft of a new design. She didn’t show a single emotion as she listened to her father.
She waited until he finished, then answered, calm and cold, her words carrying clearly across the city: “James Bennett, the day you chose that mistress and her child over me and let the Fletcher family hurts me again and again, you died to me. Whether your family survives or not -it has nothing to do with me.”
She hung up without a second thought and blocked his number for good.
But she didn’t stop there. Days later, through Aurora’s official account, Natalie posted a short, formal statement. She announced she was completely severing ties with the Bennett family. From now on, whatever happened to them-their successes or failures-had nothing to do with her.
That message was like a bomb in the city’s upper-class circles. It caused an instant uproar.
When Ethan saw the announcement in his office, he was so shocked he couldn’t speak.
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He’d never imagined Natalie could be this determined. She’d cut away her last ties-without hesitation.
This was it. She’d truly decided to say goodbye to everything in her past, including him.
Anger, defeat, and a hint of fear-one he’d never admit-swirled inside him. He had lost the last thing he could use to control her.
Out of his mind with rage, Ethan tightened the noose around the Bennett family. His tactics were ruthless, leaving no room for mercy.
He wanted to punish James Bennett, that greedy and useless father, but most of all, he was venting his rage at being unable to control Natalie.
Soon, the Bennett Group-once well-known in the city-declared bankruptcy.
James Bennett sold off every last asset to pay his debts, and in the end, slipped away from the city with his mistress and their child, never to be seen again.
When the news reached Natalie, she was in a meeting with Derek, discussing ideas for the new
collection.
Derek looked at her with concern. Natalie was silent for a few seconds. Then she picked up her coffee, took a sip, and gazed out at the bright blue sky.
“It’s good. Clean,” she said quietly.
Her face showed neither joy nor sorrow-just a sense of utter relief and lightness, as if she had finally set down the last heavy burden.
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