Chapter 4

Natalie's POV

A week later, the annual business gala was held at a five-star hotel in the city center.

As the wife of the CEO of Harrison Group, I was supposed to accompany Damian.

I wore a black evening gown with minimalist tailoring, my long hair pinned up, without any excessive embellishment.

When Damian saw me, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes, but it was quickly concealed.

We had just arrived at the banquet hall and hadn't yet had a chance to greet several important business partners when a soft voice called from behind.

"Damian..."

I turned around to see Serena standing not far away in an extremely flamboyant pink strapless gown.

Around her neck, she wore a dazzling pink diamond necklace.

It was the piece Damian had purchased at auction last month for a high price.

At the time, the media had widely reported that he spent so much money to give me a surprise for our anniversary.

Turns out, the surprise went to Serena.

"Why are you here?"

Damian frowned and quickly walked over.

"Didn't I tell you to rest at home?"

"Being alone at home was too stifling. I wanted to get some fresh air. A friend had an extra invitation, so I came."

Serena looked at him timidly, then glanced at me.

"Natalie, you don't mind, do you?"

I didn't spare her even a glance.

"This is a public venue. What's there for me to mind?"

The gala officially began, and Damian was surrounded by a group of business tycoons offering toasts.

Serena stayed close by his side the entire time, as if she were the rightful Mrs. Harrison.

And Damian naturally blocked drinks for her, quietly reminding her to avoid cold beverages.

Their intimate gestures drew whispers from the socialites and wealthy ladies around.

"Mr. Harrison treats that Miss Serena so well. In contrast, Mrs. Harrison is left ignored."

"It's a business marriage, after all. Where's the real affection? She's just a placeholder."

"I heard Mr. Harrison gave that pink diamond necklace to Miss Serena too. What a humiliating position for the wife."

These gossips floated into my ears without any attempt at discretion.

In the past, I would have felt embarrassed, humiliated, even cried.

But now, I simply picked up a glass of champagne and walked to the quiet terrace alone, enjoying the city's night view.

Just then, a voice with a heavy French accent spoke beside me.

"Beautiful lady, you have a very special scent about you."

I turned to see a blonde, blue-eyed foreign man looking at me intently.

I recognized him as the internationally renowned master perfumer, Laurent.

"It's vetiver mixed with cedar and just a touch of oud, isn't it? This ratio is extremely bold, yet surprisingly harmonious, like a forest after a rainstorm."

Laurent didn't hold back his praise.

I smiled faintly and responded in fluent French.

"You're too kind. This is a personal fragrance I formulated myself. I call it Ashes."

"Ashes?"

A flash of surprise crossed Laurent's eyes.

"A very fitting name. After everything burns away, what remains is the purest essence. Miss Natalie, your talent is astonishing. I'm currently setting up a perfume laboratory in Grasse, France. Would you be interested in joining my team?"

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the holy grail every perfumer dreamed of.

Without the slightest hesitation, I smiled and extended my hand.

"I'd be delighted."

Damian suddenly strode over, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me to his side, his eyes coldly sweeping over Laurent.

"Sorry, my wife can't hold her liquor. I need to take her away now."

Without regard for my struggles, he forcibly pulled me out of the banquet hall.

"What are you doing? Let go!"

He was gripping my wrist so hard it hurt. I snapped at him coldly.

Damian shoved me against the corridor wall, hands planted on either side of me, his eyes dark.

"Natalie, have you no shame? Flirting with another man on the terrace right in front of me?"

I found this absurd.

"We were discussing perfume, talking about work. Damian, do you think everyone is like you, with nothing but filthy thoughts in their head?"

"Does talking about work require smiling so happily?"

Damian said through gritted teeth.

Just as we were at an impasse, a cry came from the end of the corridor.

"Something's wrong! Miss Serena has fainted!"

Damian's body stiffened. Almost reflexively, he released me and ran toward the voice.

I leaned against the cold wall, watching the man's unhesitating departure, and looked down at my reddened wrist.

Damian, your possessiveness is disgustingly cheap.