Someone wanted her dead.
And she still had no idea who—or why.
Chapter 32
Natalie stepped into the office the next day, every sense on high alert.The walk down the hallway to her office felt longer than usual, each movement in her periphery magnified, every glance lingering just a second too long.Her pulse quickened, and she resisted the urge to look over her shoulder.
The person who’d tried to hurt her could be here.Watching.Waiting.
Hurried footsteps broke her focus.
Melanie approached, her expression caught between relief and something harder to read.“You’re here!”She gripped Natalie’s arm—too tightly.
Natalie winced, the bruises flaring.“Still a bit sore,” she said with a forced smile, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.But in her mind, the question stuck—was Melanie’s enthusiasm genuine… or calculated?
“Of course,” Melanie said quickly, releasing her.“We’ve just… been so worried about you.”
Before Natalie could answer, Jenny appeared, as if summoned by the scent of fresh gossip.Clipboard in hand—though clearly forgotten—she closed in with a wide-eyed look.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Jenny gushed, her gaze flicking to Natalie’s arm like she was memorizing the details so she could tell everyone tidbits later.“We werealltalking about it.I mean, after such a scary accident—”
“I’m fine,” Natalie cut in, more sharply than intended.She softened her tone for the small crowd that had gathered.“The airbags worked.I was lucky—just a few bruises.”
Henry’s voice broke through from the corner office.“Let’s not overwhelm her.”His tone was calm, but there was a quiet authority to it.Hands in his pockets, steps measured, he crossed the floor like a man taking stock of the room.“Natalie, come to my office.”
Relieved to escape the stares, she followed him down the hall.As they passed by desks, she caught how some people avoided her gaze entirely, while others watched her openly, eyes narrowed, as if trying to connect dots she couldn’t see.
Once inside his office, Natalie settled into a chair, releasing a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“I’m fine,” she said before he could speak.“I’ve already rescheduled my appointments.Honestly, the break gave me time to come up with some great new designs.My arm’s still a bit sore, but nothing I can’t work through.”
Henry leaned forward, elbows braced on the desk, studying her.“I think you should take more time off,” he said, voice low and deliberate.“You’ve been through something serious.No reason to rush back until you’re fully recovered.”
She gave a small laugh, aiming for casual.“I appreciate the concern, but it was just a minor car accident.”
Henry didn’t return the smile.He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping another notch.“Someone told me it might not have been an accident.”
Natalie’s stomach tightened.Rylan’s warning.Tom’s insistence on keeping things quiet.The security detail shadowing her.All of it pressed in on her at once.
She forced another light laugh, hoping it didn’t sound hollow.“Goodness, no way.Why would anyone think that?”
Henry shrugged, leaning back in his leather chair and clapping his hands together once, the sound sharp in the quiet room.“You know how gossip spreads around here.People love drama, especially when it involves someone like you.”
“Someone like me?”she asked, her tone even, but her eyes narrowing just slightly.
A faint smile tugged at his mouth, but it didn’t warm his expression.“A rising star.Your designs have been turning heads lately.”His gaze dipped briefly to her arm before returning to her face.“Maybe people are jealous.Who knows?”
Natalie held her expression steady, though a small knot of unease twisted in her chest.“Well, if that’s all you needed to speak with me about?”she said, careful to keep her voice polite.She was ready to step out from under the weight of his scrutiny.
Henry nodded slowly—too slowly.He didn’t answer right away.His eyes remained fixed on her, and the pause stretched long enough for her to notice he was watching her mouth as if measuring the next thing she might say.
“Yes,” he said at last, his tone deliberately even.“That’s it.I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
The words were harmless, but the way he delivered them made her skin crawl.He didn’t lean back or relax—if anything, his posture remained intent, almost poised.A fleeting, irrational thought flickered in her mind: Could Henry have anything to do with the incidents?
No.That was ridiculous.He’d always praised her work, supported her projects, and touted her value to the firm.There was no reason for him to sabotage her.
Still… the pause, the measured way he spoke—it clung to her like static.
