Chapter 24 Chapter 24 20 vouchers Alexei reined in his aura , then looked at her with faint admiration . He said , " Being Mrs. Turner isn't easy . Things probably won't be peaceful for you for a long time - maybe even dangerous . " " And when your goal is achieved ? " Natasha asked . " We get divorced ? I don't see why I should sacrifice the rest of my life just to get revenge . Marriage , in my eyes , should be between two people who love each other . " Alexei let out a quiet laugh , like he was amused by her innocence . He replied , " There are many kinds of marriages . The one you're talking about is the most fragile kind ." Then he changed the subject . " Also , what made you think this was just a fake marriage ? Sure , there's a contract - but if we're getting married , then it's real . " Alexei spoke with a calm , direct tone . " You're cautious , Miss Clark , but I'm not the type to just grab someone off the street to play a role . Marriage means sharing a bed , after all . Or is it that you're planning to dodge your marital obligations ? " " I don't agree to this ," Alexei said firmly . Natasha had no response to his self - important declarations . But Alexei , surprisingly , seemed to seriously consider her line of thought . " Feelings can be cultivated , " he said finally . Though in his opinion , they weren't necessary - mutual benefit made for a stronger alliance . " I haven't agreed to anything yet ," Natasha said . The phone lit up , and Alexei stood . " I'm leaving in an hour . You've got time to think . Reach out when you've made up your mind . Don't worry - I can't promise feelings , but I will make sure to act like a proper husband ." " And if I still don't agree ? " Natasha asked . " Then keep thinking ," Alexei replied . " I only accept one answer ." Coming from anyone else , it would've sounded arrogant . But from Alexei , it was just terrifyingly realistic . Natasha had this creeping feeling like she'd already stepped into a trap . She turned and asked , " Wait . You were planning to leave anyway , weren't you ? So why did you get so worked up earlier when I asked about it ? " Instead , he turned around and questioned me ? ' Natasha muttered . Alexei raised his hands , looking innocent . " Leaving for work and being kicked out because you're 1/4 4:30 pm PR Chapter 24 waiting on some other guy - how's that the same ? I never told you to leave . " " I didn't kick you out . And what do you mean ' other guy ' ? " Natasha said firmly " A guy sniffing around someone else's wife , " Alexei shot back . Natasha replied , " Mr. Turner , you're a little too quick slipping into character . " 20 vouchers . Alexei suddenly leaned down and kissed her on the forehead . " Just getting a head start , " he said casually . Caught off guard , Natasha didn't have time to dodge . " Alexei Turner ! " she growled through gritted teeth . " Be good . I'm gonna go pack , " Alexei said softly . He really did know how to play deaf when he wanted to . As Natasha stormed off and slammed the door , Alexei's eyes sparkled with amusement . Alexei wasn't in a hurry . The clueless fools in the Clark family would end up pushing her straight at him . To be her only support . Her partner . Her lover . Alexei found himself truly looking forward to it . Alexei had first chosen Natasha because she was bold , unafraid , and capable - and in a flash of madness , he'd recognized something in her that matched him . But after spending nearly a month together , Alexei started thinking maybe she'd bring him more surprises than he expected . This contract wife , he was more than satisfied . That night , while Alexei flew overseas on business , Natasha , who had spent a month cooped up at home nursing his injuries , finally came up for air at Sadie's call . In a buzzing bar , Sadie quickly found a booth and complained under her breath , " You've been holed up so long . Anyone else would think you've got gold buried in that tiny apartment . " ' No gold . Just one very rich man ' Natasha kept that thought to herself . Because Alexei had been targeted and forced into hiding , Natasha hadn't mentioned anything to Sadie . She didn't want her dragged into the mess , so Natasha used a tight deadline as an excuse to keep Sadie from visiting . But now , there was nothing to worry about . Natasha gave her a full rundown of everything that had happened over the past month . 2/4 4:30 pm PS Chapter 24 20 vouchers Hearing that , Sadie kept letting out shocked curses . " Damn , girl ! You've been silent this whole time ' cause you were out here making power moves ? " Her eyes practically sparkled . " You bagged Mr. Turner ? You're gonna run Andphis City one day at this rate . " Natasha slowly turned her glass in her fingers . " I haven't made up my mind yet . " Sadie , who'd been laughing and joking just a second ago , suddenly turned serious . She said calmly , " Look , what I said was kidding . Natasha , Olivia isn't worth throwing your life away for . " If you really want to go after her , let me work on taking over my father's company . I'll use the entire Torres family to back you up . I've got your back for life . " Alexei might be powerful , but the Turners are a mess . That family's a snake pit , and the man himself ? Moody as hell and ruthless as they come . Word is , the father and son from the fourth Turner branch both got taken out - one's a vegetable now , and the other ... well , he won't be fathering any kids . 'No one can prove it , but everybody says it was Alexei's doing . He's cold to the bone . Right now he's on your side , but what if that changes ? I don't trust him with you ." Sadie thought , ' When Alexei's done with Natasha and made her disappear - and I won't even know where to start looking . Natasha has already suffered too much in her life . Lucas is trash , but still , I just want someone to truly cherish Natasha from now on . She's a good woman . A woman like her shouldn't be swallowed up by gossip and hatred . Back when the whole world turned its back on me , it was Natasha - reputation in tatters and all- who reached out and pulled me up . Without her , there'd be no Sadie today . But Alexei isn't someone we could just say no to .' Natasha didn't mention how determined he was . She just leaned her head on Sadie's shoulder and smiled . " Then I guess I'll count on Miss Torres to keep me fed ." Sadie grinned , " Don't worry . I'll make you rich . Bruce's inheritance ? We'll split it fifty - fifty , " Natasha laughed . " He's gonna die from anger if he hears that . " " Better sooner than later , " Sadie said . The two of them kept cracking jokes about Bruce and her ridiculous stepfamily . Everything felt light , easy - until a creepy male voice cut through the air . " You ladies look like you're having fun . Wanna join me for a drink in the VIP room ? " 3/4 4:30 pm PD Chapter 24 ET 20 vouchers Standing in front of them , unmistakable with his signature blue hair , was Matthew . Ever since Olivia got her leg broken by Natasha , Matthew had been burning with rage . Then he got pranked and mocked for three days straight . The embarrassment in front of his boys was more than he could take . And now , he heard Natasha had burned down the house Olivia's grandmother left her . Then Olivia cried to herself in the hospital . Matthew hated Natasha with everything he had . Because of that injury , Olivia missed a critical promotion opportunity . So in his mind , Natasha deserved to suffer just as much . The problem was , Natasha was a damn hermit . Like a turtle hiding in its shell , she never came out . Matthew couldn't even find a chance to get back at her . Tonight , one of his guys tipped him off that Sadie and Natasha were at the bar . Matthew hit the gas and raced over without a second thought . " What's wrong ? We know each other . Can't even get a drink , Miss Torres ? Miss Clark ? " Matthew said , clearly irritated by their total lack of reaction . Sadie didn't even blink . She said coldly , " Please . I don't drink with a simp ."