7: She’s Really Not Your Girl?

The department dinner was set at a newly opened high-end club, which naturally had Lauren complaining all day.

“Why is it always us nobodies footing the bill to treat the higher-ups, only to be forced into drinking games and putting up with their sleazy jokes? Honestly, when is this disgusting tradition going to end?”

Natalie parked the car, grabbed her purse, and replied, “If you dared say that on the company forum, they’d say you’re not a team player and too individualistic.”

Lauren rolled her eyes and slammed the car door.

That’s when they spotted Michelle hanging on to Curtis—the balding head of department—flashing her brightest fake smile as they walked through the front entrance.

“Unbelievable. She even likes clinging to that greasy old man. Can’t this place hire at least one good-looking guy? I’m losing all motivation to come to work.”

Natalie stepped out into the muggy evening air of H City and urged her, “Come on. If we’re late, we’ll get penalized with drinks.”

The entrance played out with the usual company-drinks routine.

As expected, Michelle beamed, “Thought you two got caught in traffic. Let’s go in now that we’re all here.” She turned to Curtis, adding, “You *have* to sing the one from last time—I’m still not tired of it!”

Flattery landed perfectly. Curtis laughed and gave Michelle’s waist a little pat.

“Mr. Sterling, Mr. Sinclair.”

A waiter passed briskly by them and pulled open the main doors.

The man walking in was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, flanked by bodyguards.

Who else could it be but Ethan?

Natalie instinctively looked away.

But Ethan’s gaze didn’t linger on her at all.

Hard to believe that not too long ago, those same lips had kissed her with such reckless heat.

“Miss Carter, we meet again.”

Lucas, at least, greeted her politely.

It was clear now that the people trailing behind Ethan were from their exclusive social circle—the ones Ryan had been dying to impress.

The moment Lucas spoke, others took notice and turned their attention toward Natalie—the most eye-catching presence among them.

Their looks turned curious… and a little suggestive.

“Why didn’t you bring her to hang out with us earlier?” someone joked.

Lucas smirked. “Don’t ask me—I’m not the one calling the shots.”

Ethan didn’t even pause. He headed straight for the VIP elevator like he couldn’t care less.

Lucas glanced back at Natalie. “Come up if you have time.”

In other words, just ask the waiters—they’ll know where to send her.

Not everyone got access, but Lucas’s words were as good as an open invitation.

“Natalie, you know Mr. Sinclair?”

Her coworkers looked at her in surprise.

Even Curtis’s face changed—he regretted not taking the chance to hand over his business card earlier.

Michelle’s gaze lingered on Natalie, her voice light and passive-aggressive.

“You met him through Mr. Brooks, right? Being pretty really does open doors. Even someone like Mr. Brooks couldn’t resist. Natalie, you’re wasted in the admin department—you should get out more.”

Lauren rolled her eyes and was about to clap back, but Natalie pulled her aside and gave Michelle a half-smile.

“Well, I guess it’s just something I was born with. Can’t really explain it. I don’t expect you to understand.”

Michelle’s face twisted in fury.

“Let’s go already,” someone said. “I’m dying to hear Curtis sing.”

“Yeah, yeah!”

Everyone could see Michelle loved to pick fights—especially with Natalie.

But Natalie never gave her the satisfaction.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Ethan had barely sat down when Jared nudged Lucas.

“She’s not your girl?”

Lucas shoved him back. “What do you think? If she was mine, would I be here joking with you?”

He wasn’t an idiot.

If he had a woman like Natalie, he’d lock her down—not share jokes about her.

Still curious, Lucas glanced at Ethan while playing with a deck of cards.

“So, that night… didn’t go as planned?”

They’d all heard Ryan had tried to set up his ex at Elysium Lounge. Some guys even bailed on business meetings to catch the drama.

Ethan had ended up sitting there, smoking alone.

Lucas was dying to know what happened.

“Mind your business.”

Ethan’s tone turned cold.

Right.

Moody and hard to please—no one dared push further.

Lucas turned to the waiter and gave a few quiet instructions.

Back in the private room downstairs, Michelle had taken over like it was her own personal stage.

She sang well and played the crowd perfectly, showering Curtis with attention until the man looked like he’d sprout flowers from his wrinkles.

Lauren nudged Natalie, warning her.

Sure enough, Michelle soon approached with a drink in hand.

“Natalie, since you managed to fix things with Mrs. Cook, the whole admin department should toast to your success, right?”

Natalie was already prepared.

“I’ll pass. I’m driving tonight.”

Michelle raised her brows. “That’s not very team-spirited of you. We’ve been through three rounds and you’re not even taking a sip?”

Natalie was sick of this woman’s antics, and just as things were getting tense, the private room door opened.

A waiter walked in carrying high-end liquor and a fruit-and-dessert tray.

“Wrong room. We didn’t order anything.”

“It’s correct. Mr. Sinclair sent it. Also, tonight’s entire tab is on him.”

The wine alone was worth at least $10,000.

The room went quiet.

Michelle’s face froze.

“No wonder Natalie thinks she’s too good to drink with us, huh?”

Lauren, who had been holding back all night, finally snapped.

“Glad you noticed. Mr. Sinclair won’t even *let* Natalie drink, so who the hell do you think you are?”

Colleagues coughed awkwardly.

The waiter placed the items down with a professional smile and exited.

Natalie’s mood dipped.

What was Lucas playing at?

They weren’t even close like that.

Michelle backed off immediately, unwilling to stand on Natalie’s side.

If Natalie really had dumped Ryan and was now close with Lucas…

That would be a *huge* upgrade.

The moment Natalie sat down, Lauren leaned in.

“What’s going on with you and Lucas?”

“No idea,” Natalie said honestly. “But one thing’s for sure—this little show he put on means the next few weeks might go easier.”

How long that would last, though, was anyone’s guess.

She glanced around.

A few people looked guilty—no doubt the ones who had been sabotaging her recently.

She debated whether to go thank Lucas… or whether this was his way of *summoning* her.

Suddenly, a heavy scent of alcohol and cologne hit her nose.

Someone sat down next to her.

Curtis.

Disgustingly close.

“Natalie, I really see potential in you.”

Typical sleazy boss energy.

Natalie subtly brushed his hand off her shoulder and shifted away.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn. Thank you for your guidance.”

“Oh, no need to be modest. I just didn’t realize you were so close to Mr. Sinclair.”

Curtis’s eyes blatantly dropped to her chest.