Alexei pinched Natasha's cheek with a half - smile . " I don't have that many marriage prospects " ' So , it's because I'm his chosen partner ? That didn't seem so bad , she thought . ' Relationships built on mutual benefit and duty felt more stable than those relying on emotions . Natasha lowered her lashes and nestled against him . She savored his warmth . Just let me be weak for a little while , she thought . Natasha was still dazed when Alexei carried her to the bathroom . He kept holding her , one arm around her waist , the other touching her rain - soaked hair . " What ? Want me to do it for you ? " he teased . Finally , Natasha pushed him away . She just stared at him with wet hazel eyes , saying nothing . " Fine . I owe you ," Alexei sighed . He pinched her cheek again and turned to leave . Moments later , he returned with clean clothes . His knowledge of her room came from her month - long recovery there . Seeing the underwear under the nightgown finally snapped Natasha back to reality . Her cheeks burned . " Why did you grab these ? " Alexei looked away , his tone deliberately flippant . " Prefer wearing nothing ? I don't mind . " He said it casually , but the blush on his ears betrayed his unease . Natasha poked his chest , easily pushing him out . " Get out . " Outside , Alexei's demeanor shifted instantly . The gentle , teasing mask he wore for Natasha vanished , replaced by his usual coldness . He made a call . " Is the Clark family pursuing the Eastside Tech Park project ? Pull them . Give it to their arch - rival , Hawthorne Tech . " A teasing voice replied , " The Clarks pissed you off ? Rumor is they're banking on this project to pivot . Thomas chased it for years " Poor at managing the household , unworthy of any important role , " Alexei stated coldly . " Also , keep them occupied . They're too idle Idle enough to bully the woman he cared about . He thought , " The Natasha I handle with such care - these people keep slinging all sorts of thh at her . This time is nothing more than a small warning ? For Alexei , they were only family if Natasha acknowledged them Otlierwise , their actions deserved death a hundred times over Suppressing his fury , he headed to the kitchen to make hot cocoa , 173 4:34 pm PS Chapter 33 20 vouchers Lucas couldn't find Natasha . Her phone was off . Sitting in his car in a bad mood , he got a call from Olivia . Watching the screen flash , annoyance flared in him for the first time . Lucas didn't want to answer , but she persisted relentlessly . Finally , he picked up , rubbing his temples . " Olivia , what is it ? " Panicked sobs came through . " Roderick , it's thundering . I'm scared . Where are you ? " Hearing that name , Lucas froze . A drowning sensation overwhelmed him . He finally understood Natasha's stress all those years . A life weighed them down . Olivia was having a relapse . Lucas met Thomas at the Clarks . Seeing no one with him , Thomas frowned . " Natasha didn't come back with you ? " " She was gone when I arrived , " said Lucas . Thomas was silent for a while . " She hasn't been home for a long time . I thought she'd at least come back today , " he said . Lucas's face twisted with scorn . " Why ? To see her boyfriend cozying up to another woman ? " Thomas had no defense , his guilt evident . Seeing his discomfort , Lucas sneered inwardly , ' See ? Everyone knows what hurts , yet they find excuses to ignore her pain . And me , I am also an accomplice .' " Olivia's upstairs ," Thomas finally said . " Go check on her . " Lucas gave a cold laugh and climbed the stairs heavily . Standing outside Olivia's door , the image of Natasha alone in the rainy cemetery filled his mind . He suddenly had an urge to turn around right then , find Natasha , say sorry, and wish her a happy birthday , Reputation and obligation - they were all burdens . But just as the thought crossed his mind , the door opened . Olivia rushed into his arms like a frightened puppy . " Roderick ! I miss you so much . " As if bound by something , Lucas couldn't leave . Smiling , Olivia led him to the bedside . " Roderick , will you help me sleep ? " She touched the red marks on her neck , looking troubled . " Natasha got mad at me again . How can I make up with her ? Let's get married quickly . " Her eyes shone . " Then I can move out . If I'm gone , Natasha will come home . " She sounded utterly sincere , all for Natasha's sake . Lucas couldn't tell her Roderick was gone forever . The man who loved her died in that accident at 2/3 4:34 pm P Chapter 33 sea . Every thought choked him . He sighed softly . " Let me treat these marks first . " 120 vouchers " Roderick , you're so sweet . I'm not scared now that you're here . Will you stay with me forever ? " She touched his face intimately , fully believing he was her lover . Lucas awkwardly pulled back but replied firmly . " Yeah . I'll always be with you . " Since Roderick died saving him , Olivia became his inescapable responsibility . Roderick had been his friend - gentle , cheerful . Even Natasha , who clashed with Olivia , liked him . That's why they went sailing together . Back then , Olivia and Roderick were a lovely couple , together before he and Natasha . They were deeply in love , planning marriage . Roderick loved extreme sports . That's how he stayed calm during the storm , saving Olivia and others . He drowned while pulling Lucas to safety . Learning of Roderick's death shattered Olivia . She attempted suicide multiple times . After jumping into the sea , her memory fractured . She mistook Lucas , the first person she saw , for Roderick . Lucas wanted to explain and get a doctor for her . But the Clarks said Olivia couldn't handle any shock , and the treatment had to be done gradually . Also , if people found out about her mental issues , it would ruin her dancing career . They wanted Lucas to play Roderick's role during her relapses . Lucas's father , Emmanuel , also said their family couldn't afford to have an ungrateful person . Natasha could defy Olivia and risk her reputation because she had nothing to lose . Olivia was the Clark family's shining star , and Thomas would inherit most of their wealth . But Lucas was the Wrights ' sole heir . Any scandal was unacceptable . Besides , Natasha was the one who suggested the sea trip , and Roderick died saving Lucas . Both of them owed Olivia . Of course , Emmanuel had his consideration . Replacing his future daughter - in - law in this way would be more beneficial for the Wright family . Natasha's reputation paled next to Olivia's . And clearly , in the Clark family , the adopted daughter mattered more than the true one . Who else would ask their biological daughter's fiancé to pretend to be their adopted daughter's boyfriend ? AD Comment