Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner After two days of rest , Natalie was feeling a little better . But on the day of the family dinner , her head still felt foggy . That evening , after getting herself ready , she grabbed a cab to the Collins estate . 38 Finished The Collins estate sat halfway up the hill . It had been three years since she last set foot there , and everything about it felt different now . She felt different . As she walked up to the front door , her eyes landed on a familiar Rolls - Royce with a custom plate . So he really did come back . " Mom , dinner's about to start . What took you so long ? You're always dragging your feet ... " Aiden's voice rang out from the front door , clearly annoyed . Natalie glanced at the boy , but her eyes quickly shifted to two figures slipping past behind him . Jackson and Victoria . He actually brought her to a family dinner ? Natalie strode through the doorway , and right away , Victoria's eyes locked onto her . " Ms. Foster , perfect timing . The kitchen's short - handed . Come help out . " The Collins family usually had plenty of staff , but with the holiday , several had taken the day off . At past family dinners , Natalie used to cook a few dishes herself -- hoping Jackson and Aiden might actually enjoy the food . But in their eyes , she was just trying too hard . Looking back now , it was honestly pathetic . Natalie watched Victoria head into the kitchen but didn't move an inch . " Mom , go help Ms. Victoria already ! She's been running around all afternoon . Don't let her wear herself out , " Aiden chimed in from behind , giving her a little shove . Jackson stood talking to his mother , Stella Vaughn , not sparing Natalie a single glance . 1/5 19:30 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner : She didn't bother looking at them either and headed straight into the kitchen . The moment she stepped in , Victoria shoved a small dipping dish into her hands . 38 Finished " Ms. Foster , this one's just for Aiden . I don't have time to bring it out . Could you handle it for me ? Just leave it by his seat ." Natalie was about to refuse , but one of the maids passed the dish right into her hands before she could say a word . As she walked back out with it , she spotted two familiar figures coming down the stairs . " Natalie , you're back ? " Gabriel's voice called out . She quickly turned toward the sound . The first thing she saw was the sharp , handsome face of the man beside him - intense and magnetic . He was dressed in a tailored black suit , a sleek black ring on his index finger making his hand look even more refined . There was something about him - controlled , commanding . He gave off the kind of energy that told people not to get too close . Every time Natalie saw him , the same words echoed in her mind : cold and untouchable . Marcus walked beside Gabriel , making his way down the stairs . His eyes flicked over to her , calm and unreadable , and didn't linger . Natalie's fingers tightened slightly around the dish in her hand . That man - powerful , untouchable , and completely out of her league . She never imagined the next time they'd meet would be like this . After a brief pause , she looked away . " Long time no see , Grandpa ... " Gabriel hadn't seen Natalie in three years . He pulled her down beside him on the couch and spent a while checking in on her before everyone moved to the dining room . Gabriel took the head seat , with Marcus on his right . Natalie sat next to Jackson . Aiden sat between him and Victoria . Halfway through dinner , the sound of gagging shattered the Cozy vibe . " Dad , I feel sick ... my skin's all itchy ... " Aiden groaned , just as his plate clattered to the ground . 2/5 19:30 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner : He clung to Marcus's hand , trembling and throwing up . " What's going on ? " Gabriel asked in a panic , jumping to his feet . Jackson immediately rolled up Aiden's sleeve . His arm was covered in a red rash . A38 38 Finished " Aiden's having an allergic reaction ! " Victoria said , her voice tight with worry . " But he's only allergic to wasabi - and none of the food had any ! " No matter how bitter things had gotten , Natalie couldn't just sit and watch her son like this . She rushed over , lifted his shirt , and checked his stomach . It was definitely an allergic reaction . And it was serious . Aiden had been allergic to wasabi since he was little . One time , due to a careless maid , he'd accidentally eaten some and ended up in a coma . This time he'd had less , so he was still conscious - but barely . Jackson picked up the dipping sauce and gave it a sniff . Then he frowned . " Who made this ? " Natalie's eyes snapped to Victoria . " She did . " Victoria immediately shook her head . " But I didn't add any wasabi . And after I made that sauce , I gave it to Ms. Foster to bring out ..." All eyes turned to Natalie . " What's that supposed to mean ? " Natalie's expression darkened , her voice rising . " You think I added the wasabi ? " " Ms. Foster , I don't want to accuse you , but I know I didn't put anything in there . And with everything that's happened ... I get it - you've been holding a grudge since your prison time . But even if you wanted to set me up , did it really have to be like this ? That's your own son we're talking about ..." The moment the words left Victoria's mouth , everyone turned on Natalie . Anger flickered in her eyes . No wonder Victoria insisted she go into the kitchen . 3/5 19:30 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 6 Framed at the Family Dinner It had all been a setup - she'd been waiting for this moment . 38 Finished Gabriel , seeing the tension rise , stepped in to calm the situation . " Call the family doctor . Now . " " Yes , sir . " The butler hurried off to make the call . Jackson grabbed Natalie's arm . " Is it true ? Did you really put the wasabi in yourself ? " " I didn't ," she said instantly . " Mom , Ms. Victoria's always been kind to me . She's never done anything to hurt me . But you ... you already hurt her once . Why would you do this to me too ? " " I said I didn't ." Natalie repeated , louder this time . But it was like no one heard her . No one wanted to believe her . And honestly , why would they ? One was a beloved actress , adored by the public . The other had just gotten out of prison . It was obvious who had the upper hand - she didn't even need to say a word . And no matter what Natalie said , it would never be enough . " Three years in prison and you're still this cruel ? You really dragged your own kid into this just to take a shot at Victoria ? That's messed up - what kind of person does that ? " " Mom , I'm really disappointed in you ... " Aiden sobbed , his crying only making the scene more chaotic . " Jackson , nothing's been proven yet . Don't throw accusations at Natalie like that . I believe she's not that kind of person , " Gabriel said sharply , cutting through the noise . Everyone froze and turned toward him . Natalie instinctively looked over - and locked eyes with Marcus . He leaned back in his chair , casually watching the scene unfold like it was a show . Like none of it had anything to do with him . " Mr. Gabriel , are you saying ... " Victoria's voice trembled as her eyes welled with tears . " You think I did this ? " 19:31 Fri , Sep 19