Anne was terribly embarrassed. She'd heard Spencer Davidson was a bit of a strange character. Now she was certain of it. "Mr. Davidson, it's just miscommunication, misunderstanding. You see, Evette doesn't like seeing anyone treated unfairly, so she's just defending..."

Annoyed by her lame excuses, Spencer interrupted her, "Do you two actually treat Nathalia as your daughter? Your sister? A family member? This is disgusting. Come, Nathalia, you are moving to mine." ​​

"Er?" Nathalia looked up at him, startled. Move to live with you?!

Evette protested at once, "No. I don't allow it!"

Anne had not expected this to come at all, but she was clever to respond, "Mr. Davidson, Nathalia's still a student and young. I'm afraid it's not a good idea for her to move in with you. I'm her mother, and I shall have a say. I would not like people to think wrongly of her if you see what I mean."

She made it sound like she was being a responsible mother and thinking for Nathalia's sake. But it was not a trick Spencer would fall in. He sneered at her, "You know what. People do think 'WRONGLY' of your OWN daughter, Evette. Before you worry about Nathalia, why don't you get that sorted first?"

Nathalia lifted her eyebrows, impressed. Wow, I love that. She thought. He's good. Impressive.

Evette couldn't believe what she heard. Is this really how he thinks of me?

Then She stared angrily at Nathalia, thinking It must be you. You made him think so!

"Spencer, you've misunderstood me. Someone must have said something untrue about me to you and led you to think of me so."

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?! Are you saying I can't tell what's true or not?" Spencer snapped back, irritated.

"No. I didn't mean that at all. I was, I was just saying..." Evette defended helplessly, tears in her eyes.

"The Carters only know to bully and insult Nathalia. What have you ever done for her? Nothing!"

Spencer took Nathalia's hand and was about to leave. "Nathalia, let's go."

Nathalia didn't utter a word and quietly followed.

Then Ben stepped in front of them to block their way. "Spencer Davidson, you can't take Nathalia. I understand I can't compete with the Davidson Group, but I love Nathalia more than anyone and especially a playboy like you."

"I've warned you. You little shit." Spencer said coldly as he threw a punch at Ben, quick and tough. Ben staggered and fell onto the floor, blood gushing out of his mouth.

Anne and Evette trembled with terror and shock.

Spencer didn't even take a look at the fallen defender and strode on with Nathalia.

When they got back in the car, Nathalia burst out laughing with joy. That was a great show. What a good punch! Hahaha. The three of them must have had a great time, and don't they deserve it?!

Spencer watched her. It felt like he had come closer to her like the sun had shone on her and melted her usual aloofness. Her laughter sounded pleasant and comforting.

She was the first girl he had ever watched and wanted to watch so closely.

After a while, her laughter gradually died down, and Nathalia turned to Spencer, "Hey, what are you thinking? You must be joking, right?" To move in with you? We are not in a real relationship.

Spencer looked away, started the car, and said, "How the hell did you manage to stay in that horrible place? I can't even stay there for a second."

It was supposed to be a home, a place where one should feel safe and loved. Instead, it was filled with hatred and brutality. It wasn't home, but a battlefield.

The joyful face had disappeared, and the usual coldness returned in Nathalia's eyes. She said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Yes, it's a horrible place, like hell. With every step I take, I feel like walking on the edge of a cliff. If I'm not careful, I will fall and break into pieces. But I don't have a choice."

No, she did not. She could only move forward. There was no turning back. Either they died, or she would. There wasn't another choice.

As they drove out of town, the night breeze caressed their cheeks and brought the delightful fragrance from the flowers in the park nearby. The night sky was dotted with twinkling stars. Moonlight shone on the young couple's faces.

Spencer felt a sudden sharp ache in his heart. He said earnestly, "You don't have to be strong all the time. Let others help. Let someone protect you."

Most girls of her age were still enjoying being loved and spoiled by their parents, but she had to learn to survive in deceits and lies.

He wanted to cuddle her, to melt her coldness, to warm her, to protect her.

Nathalia burst out laughing, hearing what Spencer said. She almost laughed to tears. "Who? You? You are just a collaborator. You will leave any time you want, but I have to stay and fight until the end. No one can help me or protect me, except myself. It's a battle I have to fight on my own."

When your own father would kill you for money, how were you able to trust anyone again?

The pain aggravated. Spencer replied, without thinking, "You are like a piece of broken glass, sharp. You are going to hurt yourself as well as others."

As soon as he said it, he regretted it. Why am I bothered? Why do I care? This is not me.

He had noticed more than once how he wasn't his usual self when Nathalia was around.

He wanted to protect her from any harm. He would hate to see her hurt again like last time. Seeing her getting beaten in the video clip had made him want to kill.

They stopped at the park. Nathalia looked out of the window and gazed at the starry sky. She said without looking at him, "When has Spencer Davidson become a caring philanthropist? Or has he fallen in love with me for my beauty?" Her voice was low and cold.

It slapped Spencer awake from his troubled mind, and instantly he replied, "Nonsense. I haven't met anyone good enough for me yet."

Cheeky thing. Does she think I've fallen in love with her? For her beauty? Give me a break.

Nathalia played with her hair and said half-jokingly, "You know, people who are overconfident usually end up..." she paused and saw Spencer looking at her curiously.

He found that she always had something interesting to say, and he loved listening to her. At the same time, he didn't need to put his guard up when she was around. He could say what his heart told him.

"Go on." He encouraged her.

Nathalia grinned and continued, "Either being alone all his life or falling in love with the person he should last fall in love with, thus a punishment."

He's so self-assured. Too self-assured. Like there's nothing he can not control. I would love to see when he proves himself wrong. Haha. She thought cheekily.