Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 289

Chapter 289: James And Natalie Chapter 289: James And Natalie Justin was still occupied with an important meeting where no one dared to disturb him.

Half an hour later, when the meeting concluded and the attendees began to disperse, Noah approached him.

“Mr.

Harper, we received a message.

Mr.

James Harper wants to meet you.

He’s heading to your home.” Justin hummed thoughtfully, then paused as realization struck him.

He turned to Noah.

“Home?

My new home?” “Yes, Mr.

Harper.” As if a sudden urgency had gripped him, Justin quickened his pace toward the car while dialing a number on his cellphone.

A message greeted him instead: [The number you are trying to reach is switched off] “Find out where my father is right now,” Justin instructed Noah sharply.

Without waiting, he dialed another number while sliding into the waiting car.

“Where is Natalie?” he asked briskly.

“Home.

In her room,” Ryan replied from the other end of the line.

Justin let out a breath of relief.

“Alright, now listen carefully.

My father will be there-” “Mr.

Harper,” another voice interrupted.

It was John, and his tone suggested he was greeting someone.

“Where is Justin?” James’s unmistakable voice came through the phone.

At that moment, Noah, who had just received an update, informed Justin, “Mr.

James is already at your home.” Justin’s grip on the phone tightened.

“My father is there?” “Yes, Mr.

Harper,” Ryan confirmed.

“Okay, make sure Natalie stays in her room,” Justin instructed, but- “Mr.

Harper€¦ Ms.

Natalie is already downstairs and€¦” Ryan trailed off, the realization dawning on him.

He understood why his boss was giving these specific instructions.

James was about to find out that his son was already living with a woman.

Justin closed his eyes briefly, trying to calm himself.

“I’ll be there in five minutes.

Handle it until then.” “Yes€¦ Mr.

Harper.” Thankfully the place he was at, was not far from the home and with that high end luxury car running in speed, it won’t be long to reach home.

—- At Justin’s Residence.

Natalie had freshened up and decided to head downstairs for some fresh air in the garden.

Dressed in comfortable home pajamas, she made her way to the drawing room-only to freeze in her tracks.

A man had just entered, and Leo was bowing respectfully, addressing him as Mr.

Harper.

Natalie’s breath hitched.

She recognized that face immediately.

Justin’s father!

No one had told her he was coming.

Panic surged through her veins.

What should she do?

Justin hadn’t informed anyone about their relationship yet.

Just as she was about to quietly retreat upstairs, her heart sank.

A pair of sharp, deep eyes had already locked onto her.

He had noticed her.

Damn it!

Natalie felt her palms sweat.

She glanced nervously at Leo, then at Ryan, who was holding a phone to his ear.

Ryan looked back at her with a subtle expression that said, You shouldn’t be here.

“Mr.

Harper, please have a seat.

Mr.

Justin is on his way,” Ryan said, lowering his phone as the call disconnected.

Natalie hesitated, her mind racing.

Should I greet him?

Should I just leave quietly?

Her oversized pajamas screamed casual comfort, and anyone could tell she had been roaming the house like it was her own home.

How could she face her supposed father-in-law looking like this?

James Harper settled into the sofa, his expression as sharp and serious as ever.

His assistant stood nearby, his posture rigid.  Justin, where are you?

Your father doesn’t look pleased to see me here, Natalie thought desperately.

Has he heard about my scandalous image too?

A distant sound of a car pulling into the driveway reached her ears.

Relief washed over her.

Justin was here.

Maybe she could slip away now.

Moments later, Justin entered the drawing room.

Despite the storm raging in his mind, he maintained his usual calm and composed demeanor.

His sharp gaze flickered briefly to Natalie before he turned to James.

“Father,” Justin greeted evenly.

James offered a light nod, his expressions still serious.

Natalie felt the air around the drawing room turned tense all of a sudden and it was even difficult to breathe.

“I came to see you only because Mother insisted,” James said, his tone firm and clear, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Justin hummed and signalled Natalie to come towards them as he said, “Father, this is Natalie-” Before Justin could finish, James stood abruptly.

“I have to catch a flight.” Natalie stopped in her tracks, watching the cold man ready to leave.

She understood he didn’t like her at all.  Justin understood all too well what must be going through his father’s mind.

Seeing the daughter of the woman he had once loved must have stirred old, unspoken emotions.  As James reached the door, he said, “Evelyn will meet you soon.

Give it some thought.” “That won’t be necessary,” Justin replied firmly, his voice steady and resolute as he followed his father out.

James stopped just before stepping outside.

“You are free to do as you please, but know that I don’t approve of this.

You can play around-you’re still young-but I will not accept someone into this family that I do not approve of.” James said with a finality, “No need to see me out,” and stepped out of the home to go to his car.

Justin halted, watching silently as his father’s car disappeared beyond the main gate.

The evening air hung heavy with unspoken words and lingering tension.

Slowly, Justin turned back toward the drawing room where Natalie was still frozen in place, wondering what kind of father and son these two were.

They acted more like strangers.

Justin went to her, all calm and composed, “Were you too shocked at his arrival?” Natalie finally reacted as she met Justin’s calm gaze, “He looked gravely upset to me here.” “He doesn’t know you well enough,” Justin tried to coax, “Don’t worry about him.” Natalie hummed but she looked deep in thought.  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.  “Scandals related to me didn’t really bother me, but for the first time, I am somehow affected this much,” she explained, “The way your father looked at me, it truly bothered me.

I could tell based on those scandals he must think I am the worst woman in the world.” “He is not the kind to pay attention to the scandals,” Justin held her hand, “Ignore it and just think about me.

Maybe think about we are going to do tonight.” “Don’t try to change the topic with your flirty tricks.

I am not an idiot,” she pulled her hands out of his.

“The way your father looked at me, it felt even worse than the way Sephina looks at me.” She turned to leave, “I am heading to the garden.

Don’t follow me.” Justin watched her leave, giving her some time alone.

Seeing James here must have shocked her and she was not wrong when she said about the way James looked at her.  ‘Once he will know you are his daughter, he won’t look at you that way.’