Natalie walked to the couch and tossed her bag onto it. "Bethany specifically reminded me not to tell you about her return."

Taylor's tone grew icy. Clearly displeased, he snapped, "Beth said that she thought you'd let me know. How could you claim that she stopped you from telling me? You should come up with a better lie in your attempts to slander her!"

"I'm telling the truth."

"And do you expect me to believe that?"

Natalie stayed silent to avoid an argument, but her action only fueled his rage. He grabbed her by the wrist and tossed her onto the couch. Then, he went on top of her and trapped her underneath.

With a smirk, he said, "Did you really think I'd pay you attention if you hid Beth's return from me?"

"Ouch…" She flinched, trying to move her arm away. His gaze traveled to her arm, and he noticed her bandaged hand. His thumb happened to press against the gauze.

He released

Matthew noticed Taylor's attention on Natalie, and he was worried that the playboy known for his loose morals might have developed an interest in one of his lawyers. 

He took the initiative to greet Taylor, "Mr. Jones, I've heard good things about you. After seeing you in person, I totally understand your reputation."

Taylor moved his attention to Matthew. Smirking, he taunted, "Mr. Quint, you're really a great employer, aren't you? You're such a gentleman, pulling a chair for your subordinate."

"Our Ms. Lopez has been the best-performing lawyer since joining my firm. She deserves the treatment."

Our Ms. Lopez?

Taylor narrowed his eyes. Amused, he remarked, "Mr. Quint, you sure know how to appreciate your talents."

Natalie couldn't help but shoot a look at Taylor. For some reason, he came across as passive-aggressive to her.

Sensing her gaze, he turned to her. She quietly looked a

Taylor had never paid much attention to Natalie's job, not to mention her employer. However, he had heard of a famed lawyer by the name of Matthew Quint at Goldstone Legal. He must have been the "Mr. Quint" Bethany mentioned.

He wondered about Matthew's intention behind his special treatment of Natalie. Was it an act of appreciating talents, or was there an ulterior motive?

Noticing his silence, Bethany switched the topic. "Taylor, how have you been in the last two years?"

He collected himself. Without answering, he directed the same question to her, "How about you? Why are you getting a divorce?"

"I'm not doing well at all. I made a hasty decision to marry my husband out of anger. I never expected him to be a violent alcoholic. He even forced me to…"

She stopped herself in time from discussing the marital rape, concerned about how she might come across to Taylor. The lights in her eyes dimmed. "I deeply regret my decision. Had I listened to your explanation and put behind your past with other women, would we have been a power couple now?"

Taylor felt extremely sorry for her. "Beth, I wronged you."

She concealed a smug grin after seeing the guilt on his face. Then, she replied graciously, "You walked into a trap. I don't blame you."

Taylor offered, "Don't worry, I'll help you in the divorce."

"Really?"

Taylor's deep, baritone voice sounded reassuring. "Yes. I'll go with you the next time you meet with Natalie. I'll help gather the evidence you need."

Delighted, Bethany said, "Taylor, thank you for being willing to help me."

…

After leaving the café, Natalie headed to Goldstone Legal. Matthew was in on that day. She greeted him, "Hi, Mr. Quint."

He handed her a file. "Please get this done." When she reached out to take the file, he noticed the blood stain on her hand and immediately grabbed her arm. "Are you hurt?"

"It's just a minor injury. It won't affect my work."

Without saying another word, he took her wrist and led her to his office. There, he placed a first aid kit on the coffee table. He grabbed the iodine and a cotton swab to dress her wound.

She pressed her lips at his focused look, wondering if she should consider herself lucky or pathetic for having a boss who cared for her more than her husband. After dressing the wound, Matthew cautiously bandaged it. He asked, "How did you get hurt?"

"Some bitch shoved me to the ground, and I pressed my hand against some broken shards."

"Oh, another unleashed dog?"

"Yeah."

He glanced at her and remarked, "Thankfully, that dog didn't bite you anywhere, or you'd need a rabies shot. Still, you need to watch out in the future. Stay away from people like them."

She grinned. "Got it. Thanks, Mr. Quint."

He packed the first aid kit while inquiring about her work, "Are you making progress with Bethany Powel?"

"Not really."

He nodded thoughtfully. Then, he came to a decision. "Let me know when you meet with her again. I'll go with you. She might be keeping things from you because she thinks you're inexperienced."

"Thanks, Mr. Quint."

"Don't mention it. Of course, I have to take good care of the mentee I took under my wing."

She flashed a smile at him. She'd never forget Matthew's generous help two years ago. It was a time when the Lopezes were in trouble and Taylor was mistreating her after marriage. 

Matthew had rescued her from despair by taking her under his legal firm, training and guiding her. He gave her hope in life.

…

Natalie saw Taylor smoking on the couch when she got home from work. Her wound seemed to throb in pain when she saw him.

He bent over and put out his cigarette in the ashtray before casting a frosty look at her. He asked in an accusatory tone, "Why didn't you tell me that Beth was back?"

Natalie walked to the couch and tossed her bag onto it. "Bethany specifically reminded me not to tell you about her return."

Taylor's tone grew icy. Clearly displeased, he snapped, "Beth said that she thought you'd let me know. How could you claim that she stopped you from telling me? You should come up with a better lie in your attempts to slander her!"

"I'm telling the truth."

"And do you expect me to believe that?"

Natalie stayed silent to avoid an argument, but her action only fueled his rage. He grabbed her by the wrist and tossed her onto the couch. Then, he went on top of her and trapped her underneath.

With a smirk, he said, "Did you really think I'd pay you attention if you hid Beth's return from me?"

"Ouch…" She flinched, trying to move her arm away. His gaze traveled to her arm, and he noticed her bandaged hand. His thumb happened to press against the gauze.

He released his thumb from her wound. Frowning, he asked, "What happened here?"

"Nothing." She rose from the c

Chapter 20