Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Who Is Your Husband?

Chapter 179: Who Is Your Husband?

Natalie sat quietly, waiting patiently to wish her grandfather when he arrived.

Soon, the elderly couple entered the garden, and everyone gathered to welcome them.

Meanwhile, Briena emerged with her cousins and friends.

They all noticed Natalie sitting alone, flanked only by her two bodyguards.

“Does she think she’s some kind of celebrity or really rich, needing bodyguards with her all the time?” one girl scoffed.

Briena shrugged casually.

“Why don’t you go ask her?” They smirked and made their way toward Natalie.

Noticing them approaching, Natalie spoke quietly to her two men.

“You might see the unpleasant side of my family today, but you’re not allowed to intervene or harm anyone.

Just stay put.” “What if someone tries to harm you?” “They won’t.

They may insult me, but I can handle that,” she replied.

The two nodded, though they both knew that if anyone tried to harm her, they wouldn’t hesitate to step in.

Briena and the group of young women finally reached Natalie.

“Natalie, why are you all alone?

Wasn’t your husband invited?” one of the girls asked, her tone dripping with mockery.

Natalie leaned back in her chair, folding her hands gracefully in front of her and crossing one leg over the other, her posture elegant and poised.

“Seems like you’ve been dumped by your latest boyfriend if you’re so interested in my husband,” Natalie countered smoothly.

They nearly burst into laughter, and one girl sneered, “Interested in a gigolo?

Please, our standards aren’t as low as yours.” “I bet you couldn’t match my standards if you tried,” Natalie replied calmly, thinking, No man compares to Justin-of course I have high standards.

Ryan glanced at John, as if to ask, Did that woman just call our boss a gigolo?

John nodded, staying silent.

“These women are truly out of their minds,” Ryan muttered under his breath.

“So, why didn’t you bring him?” another girl taunted.

“Are you ashamed to have him here?” “I wanted to spare him from women like you going crazy over him,” Natalie replied, her gaze shifting to Briena.

“She almost lost her mind over my husband, too.” “What are you talking about?” Briena snapped.

“I have Ivan.

You can keep your gigolo husband.” Natalie raised a brow, and Briena immediately seemed to shiver, as if she’d been caught red-handed.

“G-Grandpa and Grandma are here!” Briena blurted out, trying to shift everyone’s attention, and then quickly led the group away.

Natalie chuckled to herself.

“Such an idiot.” Albert, dressed smartly in a suit, sat in his wheelchair as hotel staff assisted him, while Sephina, looking elegant in her perfectly tailored dress, walked beside him.

Everyone hurried to greet the couple.

Since the guest list was small, Albert and Sephina could personally meet each attendee.

Albert spoke with each relative and close friend, all the while his eyes searching for Natalie.

Once he finished talking to everyone, Natalie approached him.

“Grandpa.” “Natalie!” Albert greeted her cheerfully, signaling the staff to bring his chair closer to her.

Natalie stopped in front of him, and Albert asked, “Where is Aiden?” “He had something important to attend to,” she replied.

Knowing that “Aiden” was actually Justin Harper and understanding his busy schedule, Albert didn’t mind.

Briena overheard and thought, Is he not coming?

I had a plan prepared for him€¦ “But he’ll be here shortly,” Natalie added.

Briena let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Just then, Ivan arrived with his parents, bringing a new face along-a young, beautiful woman, Ivan’s younger sister, Irene Brown.

They all offered disdainful glances toward Natalie, except for Ivan, who simply observed her, noting how beautiful she looked.

Natalie stepped aside to allow the Browns to greet Albert.

Sephina joined them as Clara and Jay also approached.

“Happy anniversary, Mr.

and Mrs.

Ford,” they all greeted Albert and Sephina politely.

Briena quickly positioned herself beside Ivan, slipping her hand into his.

Ivan offered her a smile, and she shared a happy glance with Irene, the two of them looking pleased together.

All the while, Ivan’s gaze kept drifting toward Natalie, as if he couldn’t resist looking at her.

Natalie, however, didn’t spare him a glance, behaving as if she hadn’t noticed him at all.

John frowned, observing this.

He moved forward and positioned himself in a spot that blocked Ivan’s line of sight.

Natalie noticed John’s movement and gave him a questioning look.

“Just stopping some unpleasant gazes from following you,” John replied quietly.

Natalie glanced around and spotted Ivan standing nearby, now on the other side of John.

Ivan had overheard John’s remark and quickly looked away.

The cake-cutting ceremony soon began, and everyone gathered around to wish the couple and present their gifts.

When it was Natalie’s turn, she approached Albert and handed him a gift.

“Grandpa, this is for you.” Albert accepted it warmly.

“Thank you, my dear.

Though you didn’t need to.” “It’s from Aiden,” she added.

“So thoughtful of him.” “You didn’t bring a gift for your grandma?” came a mocking voice.

Natalie turned to see Ivan’s sister, Irene, smirking at her.

“It’s a wedding anniversary-you should give gifts to both of them.” “Grandma told me not to bring her a gift, as I can’t afford anything expensive enough for her,” Natalie replied, glancing at Sephina, who confirmed with a dismissive tone.

“Right.

I won’t accept her cheap gift.” Everyone was well aware that the old woman despised Natalie as if she were a plague.

“All of you, don’t be rude to her,” Albert said firmly.

“She’s here for me, and the rest of you don’t need to concern yourselves with her.” “Calm down, Albert,” Sephina said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“They were just curious.” Irene exchanged a glance with Briena before speaking up again.

“I want to see what Natalie bought for her grandpa.” “Irene,” Amelia interjected, “Don’t embarrass her.” “I’m just a curious daughter,” Irene replied innocently.

“We’ve seen what everyone else gifted the couple, so why not hers?” Other girls quickly chimed in.

“Yes, we want to see it too.” “Even if it’s cheap, we won’t judge her.” Natalie remained unaffected.

She didn’t know exactly what Justin had chosen for her grandpa, but she trusted that he’d chosen something Albert would appreciate.

As everyone continued to insist, she looked at her grandfather.

“Grandpa, you can open it.

Though it may not be extravagant, I’m sure you’ll like it.” Albert chuckled warmly.

“When the gift is from you, who cares about the price?

I’d cherish it even if you gave me a rock.” Natalie felt touched; Albert had always stood by her.

Albert opened the gift as the others watched, eager to mock her if the opportunity arose.

“I’m sure it’s nothing compared to the rare green jade Ivan gifted,” someone remarked smugly.

“True.

That jade is the most expensive gift here, worth more than all our gifts combined.” Albert lifted the lid of the wooden box, revealing an item wrapped in red silk.

Everyone leaned forward as he removed the cloth, revealing a heart-shaped red stone that shone brightly, almost like a precious gem.

“What is it?” someone asked, surprised.

“A red stone.

But what kind of red stone?” “Did she pick it up from some roadside shop just because it looked pretty?” “Enough!” an elderly man stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the heart-shaped stone.

Without asking, he picked it up from the box, his eyes brightening with recognition.

He looked at Natalie in disbelief.

“Where did you get this?” he asked her, visibly shocked.

“My husband brought it,” she replied.

“What is it?

Why are you so surprised, Eldric?” Albert asked his friend, curious about his reaction.

“This…” the old man looked at the stone, “Impossible…” and looked at Natalie, “How did your husband get it.

Who is your husband?” the old man asked.  Natalie was taken aback.

Wondering what was in this stone that the man was questioning about her husband.  “What is it?

Why are you so surprised, Eldric?” Albert asked his friend, curious about his reaction.

as well as saving Natalie from being asked about her husband.