Chapter 6

Natalie's POV

The shop transfer procedures were completed within three days.

Watching the sign being taken down from the storefront, I felt little attachment.

I cashed the check, transferred it to the French laboratory's account, and booked a one-way ticket to Paris for two weeks later.

Damian knew nothing about any of this.

I heard he'd been busy helping Serena launch a new lifestyle brand, leaving early and returning late, rarely even coming home.

Until one night, late, Damian returned to the villa.

He irritably loosened his tie and pushed open the bedroom door.

I was sitting at the desk, writing intently under a small lamp.

Hearing the sound, I didn't look up.

Damian walked behind me, suppressing the anger in his heart, and said in a low voice.

"I have a terrible headache. Go make me a bottle of that sleep-aid oil like before."

"There isn't any."

My tone was flat, my pen never pausing.

"If there isn't any, then make some! You have all those materials in your shop. Can't you even make one bottle of essential oil?"

Damian's tone grew heavier, carrying the commanding tone of someone in authority.

I stopped writing and turned to look at him.

"I'm out of materials, and the shop is closed. If Mr. Harrison is really having insomnia, you can go to the hospital for sleeping pills."

Damian froze, his brow instantly knotting into a tight frown.

"The shop is closed? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

"No need to."

I turned back and continued organizing my materials.

Damian suddenly reached out and slammed my notebook shut, forcing me to look at him.

"Natalie, what exactly are you throwing a tantrum about? Is it because Serena broke your thing, or because I haven't been spending time with you? You weren't like this before. Why have you become so unreasonable?"

"Unreasonable?"

I laughed lightly.

"Damian, in your eyes, as long as I don't go along with what you and Serena want, I'm being unreasonable, right?"

He took a deep breath, trying to soften his tone.

"Fine, I won't argue with you. Serena's brand is launching next week, but the signature fragrance she's been working on isn't quite right. You're a professional. Tomorrow, bring out your formula book and help her adjust it. Consider it a favor to me."

I looked at him, feeling like I was watching an utterly absurd joke.

He actually wanted me to hand over my life's work to the woman who destroyed my professor's legacy?

"Impossible."

I refused flatly.

"Natalie!"

Damian's patience completely ran out.

"Can you stop being so selfish? Serena's depression is just starting to improve. This brand is very important to her! You're just sharing one formula. What's the big deal?"

"Since it's no big deal, let her formulate it herself."

I stood up, looking directly into his angry eyes.

"Damian, I'd rather destroy my work, throw it away, than let Serena use even a drop of it."

Damian laughed bitterly, his eyes cold.

"Fine, very good. Natalie, don't forget. When you opened that shabby shop, Harrison Group invested money too. If you won't help, I'll immediately withdraw the investment and make sure your shop can never open in this city again!"

He thought this threat would be enough to make me comply. After all, that was my life's work.

I just looked at him calmly and smiled.

"Do whatever you want."

After saying that, I walked past him straight into the bathroom.

Damian stood frozen in place, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

What he didn't know was that the shop no longer belonged to me.

The leverage he used to threaten me was nothing but a ridiculous empty shell.