When Ryan got the news last night that Matthew had been beaten up , hospitalized , and even photographed in a compromising position , he was thrilled . With Matthew out of the picture , wouldn't I , the only grandson left , rise to the top ? " Ryan thought . To win points with Zayden , Ryan swallowed his disgust and ran back and forth helping the cousin he had never gotten along with , putting on a show of brotherly harmony . He even stepped up to speak out , insisting he would get justice for Matthew . Although Matthew gritted his teeth and claimed it was just an accident, anyone could tell there was nore to the story . So Ryan was determined to drag every last skeleton out of his closet . Zayden had actually been pleased and even criticized Ramona for trying to smooth things over . But after one phone call , his face changed instantly . He returned to the hospital room , slapped Matthew across the face , and scolded him for stirring up trouble and dragging the family down with him . Finally , Ryan didn't get any kindness either for pushing the family to cause trouble . He was seething inside . Ramona had been a little surprised at first , but she reacted quickly . She put on an act like she already knew exactly who Matthew had crossed and had only tried to stop Zayden's retaliation . The truth was , she hadn't even made her move yet . Natasha had helped her , and there was no way she'd let Natasha get dragged into trouble . Unexpectedly , Natasha clearly had her own confidence to stand on . Then Ramona smoothly switched her story , using the situation to her advantage without hesitation . Seeing her calm , assured demeanor , Ryan couldn't help but suspect Ramona had some powerful backer . Now Ryan even wondered if what happened to Matthew was actually a trap she had set . He wondered , ' With Matthew gone , will I be next ? ' Word was , the drinking buddies who were sent to the hospital with Matthew last night had all received warnings today about their families facing bankruptcy . And the atmosphere in the nearby rooms was heavy , like someone had died . Ryan's ambitions instantly fizzled , his emotions all over the place . 1/5 20 vouchers Natasha had no idea there was more to Ramona's situation , but if she had , she would've been more than happy to add a few bricks to Ramona's road to power . That morning , Natasha got another call from Andrew . " Natasha ! What did you do this time ? " What did Matthew ever do to you ? You put him in the hospital and still won't let it go ? " Because Matthew fawned over Olivia , he naturally behaved impeccably in front of Natasha's adoptive parents . From the Clark family's perspective , Matthew still seemed more dependable than Natasha . So when Olivia said Natasha had sent someone to the hospital again , Andrew's blood pressure shot up . " You're coming with me to the Hill family today to apologize in person . " The Clark and Hill families did business together , and the Hills were an old , established family - fai more deep - rooted than the Clarks , who had only been rich for less than three generations . Andrew thought , ' Natasha not only failed to bring the family any glory like Olivia did , she constantly made enemies . Having her is truly a curse . ' Olivia poured Andrew a cup of coffee and comforted him gently . " Don't be angry , Dad . I know Matthew pretty well . As long as Natasha is willing to apologize sincerely , the Hills won't hold it against her . " As for what it will actually take to make Matthew forgive her - that isn't something I can control , Olivia thought , her smile sweet . Andrew gave her a gratified look . " Hear that ? If you could be half as sensible as your sister , I'd live years longer . " Natasha thought , ' It seems they still don't know the punishment Matthew received from his own family , Olivia's complaint has been far too hasty . Natasha let out a cold laugh . " Since you know he's in the hospital , aren't you going to ask if I'm hurt ? Do you even know why I hit him ? " " What else could it be ? " Andrew shot back instinctively . " He's close to your sister and you can't stand him . I heard you ran into each other at a bar ? And there were several men involved ? You need to stay away from those shady places . " Natasha countered , " Olivia told you that ? Whatever she says , you just believe it ? " " Don't drag your sister into this . She's always speaking up for you , " Andrew said . Natasha didn't even bother arguing . She sneered . " Then let me tell you - Matthew brought a few of 2/5 4:31 pm PS Chapter 28 20 vouchers his drinking buddies and tried to force me to drink with them . That's why he got beaten up . " Mr. Clark , when your own daughter gets treated like some bar hostess , maybe it's because you have no power . You're slipping . " " Natasha ! " Andrew barked , then hesitated . " Are you serious ? " Olivia had only said they'd had a conflict , that Matthew was badly hurt , and that the Hill family was furious . Since Natasha had a history of sending people to the ER , Andrew had filled in the details himself . But now it turned out Matthew had acted all friendly to his face and insulted his daughter behind his back . Andrew didn't suspect Olivia of stirring the pot - he just thought she didn't have the full story and had caused a misunderstanding . Frowning , Andrew said , " If that's true , even if the Hill family comes after us , we're still in the right . " Then , remembering Natasha's earlier comment about being hurt , he suddenly looked uneasy . " You're sure you're okay ? He didn't take advantage of you , did he ? " " Well , look at that - Mr . Clark finally remembered to care about your daughter . If you accused me less often , maybe I'd live a few years longer . " Natasha threw his words right back at him . Andrew took a deep breath . " I'm being serious - are you hurt ? If you are , we're going to the Hill family for justice no matter what . " " Relax . I'm fine . It's not time for you to visit my grave yet , " Natasha replied. Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose . " Can you watch your mouth ? Why would you jinx yourself like that ? " Natasha gave a cold , thin smile . When Olivia saw their conversation growing calmer , her eyes darkened slightly . She mouthed two words toward Andrew- " grave visit ." Andrew suddenly remembered another reason for his call and cleared his throat . " Natasha , we'll be going to the cemetery to pay our respects to Emilia . You didn't forget , right ? Be here early the day after tomorrow . " As usual , the family would gather at the house first , prepare offerings , and then go to the cemetery together . Natasha's voice tightened . " I know . " Then she hung up . Andrew listened to the dial tone for a moment , dazed . 3/5 Olivia put on an apologetic face and said gently , " Sorry , Dad . I didn't know it was like that . It's just that Matthew's still unconscious , and the doctor said his injuries are serious , so I was worried something bad might happen . " Andrew shook his head . " It's not your fault . You were thinking of the family . " Olivia continued , " Then about the Hill family ... " Andrew cut her off . " That brat harassed Natasha - if anything , we should be the ones confronting them . They have no right to be upset . " Then Andrew muttered to himself , " Still , Natasha always puts on a tough front . Who knows if she's really fine . I'll have her mother ask again later . " Olivia watched him hurry off to find Madeline and stood up without a word . She knocked over her coffee cup , letting the coffee seep into the carpet fibers . ***** On Emilia's memorial day , Natasha's mood was already dark from the moment she woke up . Looking at herself in the mirror - dressed in a black dress , face cold and pale - Natasha suddenly raised her hand to block her reflection . When she arrived at the Clark house , the whole family was sitting together eating breakfast in harmony . Seeing her , Olivia smiled and said to the housekeeper , " Lyla , set another place for Natasha . " Natasha glanced at the five matching chairs at the table and shook her head . " Don't bother . I already ate . Because Natasha was unusually quiet , and given the somber occasion , even the outspoken Noel kept his sarcastic comments to himself . The atmosphere was , for once , not tense . Madeline hadn't seen Natasha in a long time and wanted to talk to her , but her cold expression made him hesitate . Once preparations were done and they were about to leave , Olivia suddenly smacked her forehead . " Oh . I forgot . The gift I prepared for Mom is still upstairs . " She looked at Natasha , her eyes soft and innocent . " Natasha , will you come upstairs with me to get it ? I might not be able to carry it by myself ." 4/5