Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table Gabriel let out a faint snort but didn't say a word . Everyone in the Collins family knew how he felt - he'd never liked women in the entertainment industry , and he was firmly against Jackson's relationship with Victoria . 3 ) , Finished So the fact that Jackson had the nerve to bring her to a family dinner ? Gabriel wasn't about to pretend he was okay with it . As Aiden's condition got worse , Stella quietly led him over to the sofa . Jackson stepped up to defend Victoria , completely on her side . " Grandpa , Victoria would never do something like this . It had to be Natalie . Just like three years ago - she tried to frame Victoria then too ! " His voice was cold , and there was a sharp edge in his eyes . But Natalie ? She felt nothing . Right now , it seemed like Gabriel was the only one in this family who still believed in her . " Ms. Foster , even if you hate me , dragging a child into this ... that's going too far- " Smack- Before Victoria could finish , Natalie raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face . Everyone froze in shock . Natalie had always been calm and composed - the kind of woman who swallowed her pain and never said a word . No one had ever seen her snap like this . " I didn't do it , and I won't let anyone pin it on me . I kept quiet once , but if you keep pushing me , I won't just sit back anymore . " Her voice wasn't loud , but it carried . Strong and unshakable , At the head of the table , Marcus's eyes lifted slightly . His fingers tapped the table , then paused . The corners of his mouth twitched into a faint smile . Now that was interesting . " Natalie ! Are you out of your mind ? " Jackson rushed over and pulled Victoria behind him , 1/5 19:31 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table 38 Finished glaring at Natalie like she'd lost it . " Three years in prison and you've learned nothing ! You're completely out of control . " Just then , the family doctor arrived . Stella took Aiden upstairs with her without saying a word . Natalie didn't respond to Jackson . She was about to go check on Aiden and then quietly leave . But she didn't expect him to grab her wrist from behind . " Natalie , you're not going anywhere until we settle this . " " Oh , you want to settle it ? " Natalie yanked her arm free , her eyes icy cold . " Fine . I want a divorce . Is that clear enough for you ? " The room went completely still . Everyone turned to stare at her - including Jackson . No one had expected her to say that . Not tonight . Not at a family dinner . She really knew how to make a scene . She hadn't changed at all . Marcus , who'd been quietly watching from the sidelines , finally let his gaze settle on her . He finally saw her in a new light . She wore a long white dress , simple and elegant , which made her look even more delicate . Her pretty face was usually pale , the kind of pale you get from not eating right for too long - but now , anger had brought a flush of color to her cheeks . He hadn't expected such power from someone so fragile - looking . She didn't hesitate . Didn't back down . Every move she made was sharp , clean , and decisive . And for the first time tonight - she had his full attention . Still ... every time he looked at her face , he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen her somewhere before . But no matter how hard he tried , he couldn't remember where he'd seen her before . " Natalie , can't you at least pick the right time and place to throw a tantrum ? " Jackson snapped . " If you've got something to say , say it in private . Don't drag our personal business into a family dinner . Aren't you even a little embarrassed ? " Natalie shot Jackson a cold look as he continued shielding Victoria . " Oh , really ? And what's not embarrassing ? " Natalie shot back , her tone ice cold . " Letting 2/5 19:31 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table : 38 Finished everyone believe I poisoned our son's food just to cover for someone else ? Acting like I did it to protect someone who won't even take responsibility for their own mess ? You know what's actually embarrassing ? Doing something and being too much of a coward to admit it . " " Natalie , that's enough- " Before Jackson could finish , a deep , calm voice cut across the room from the head of the table . " Jackson , " Marcus said calmly , his voice low and firm , " if you don't have proof , don't throw around accusations . " The entire room turned toward him in surprise . Natalie followed the gaze - and locked eyes with Marcus . For a split second , she caught something in his eyes . Something complicated . Jackson looked up as well - right as Marcus looked away and met his stare head - on . Jackson froze for a moment , his body tensing instinctively . Why would Uncle Marcus be defending Natalie ? Jackson's father had two brothers , and Marcus was the youngest son of Gabriel and Grace Anderson - barely older than Jackson himself . But Marcus had struck out on his own years ago , building a business empire from the ground up . His company's value now far exceeded the original assets and influence of the Collins family . In the business world , Marcus called the shots . No one dared challenge him - especially not anyone in the Collins family . Jackson opened his mouth to speak but quickly held back . Just then , the doctor came down from upstairs . The situation , he said , wasn't too serious . The child had been given medication and was starting to stabilize . After the doctor left , Jackson spoke again . " Either way , we need to settle this tonight ." Natalie's voice was calm but firm . " I couldn't agree more . Since everyone's already here , let's make it official . " She walked over to the sofa , pulled a folder from her bag , and returned to stand in front of Jackson . She set the divorce papers down right in front of him . 3/5 Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table Jackson picked them up , his eyes narrowing with disbelief . He hadn't expected her to come this prepared . Not this fast . " Sign it , " she said . " After tonight , we're done for good . " Finished Then , without waiting for a reaction , she turned and walked straight out - leaving the house and everyone in it behind . Jackson stared at her retreating figure , the divorce papers trembling slightly in his hand . She didn't raise her voice . She hadn't caused a scene . But in front of everyone , she'd humiliated him without saying a word . Unbelievable . From the corner of the room , under the warm lights , Marcus's expression remained unreadable . The faint curve of his lips gave him away . Now that ... was something . Outside the Collins estate , Natalie pulled out her phone and opened a ride app . planning to call a car and head home . She was But the estate was halfway up the hill , and after ten minutes , not a single driver accepted the request . With a quiet sigh , she put her phone away , tightened her coat , and started walking downhill along the side of the road . There was no way she was going back in there . Turning around wasn't an option . She still had her dignity . But less than five minutes in , a wave of dizziness hit her hard , She reached up , pressing her palm to her forehead , Burning hot . The fever was back . Just then , a pair of headlights lit up the road behind her . The sleek black Maybach slowed as it passed , then came to a smooth stop beside her . The back window rolled down - slowly , deliberately . Natalie turned her head just as a familiar voice drifted out . 4/5 19:31 Fri , Sep 19 ... Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table " Ms. Foster , " the man said . " Need a ride ? " Send Gifts 20 B 40