chapter 3
1572 Words
Natalie woke up earlier than usual the next morning.
She had barely opened her eyes when she remembered her father's message.
She smiled.
Today, she was finally going to find out what he wanted to give her.
Lucas was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed while checking his phone.
“Good morning,” Natalie said sleepily.
He turned and smiled.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
She stretched and sat up.
“My father is waiting for me.”
“I remember.”
“I can't wait to find out what he has planned.”
Lucas stood and picked up his jacket.
“You'll have to tell me everything when you find out.”
“I will.”
After getting ready, they left the house together.
Lucas drove Natalie to the Lancaster residence. She spent most of the drive talking about what her father might give her.
“What if it's a building?” she asked.
Lucas smiled.
“You really think your father would give you a building?”
“He could.”
“What would you do with it?”
“Rent it out. Or turn it into something useful.”
Lucas nodded.
“You've thought about this.”
“Of course. It's my inheritance.”
She laughed.
When they arrived, Lucas parked outside the mansion.
Natalie reached for the door handle, but Lucas stopped her.
“I'll wait here.”
She looked at him.
“You're not coming in?”
“Your father asked to speak with you alone. I don't want to interfere.”
Natalie smiled.
“That's thoughtful of you.”
“I will definitely be late for work.”
She nodded.
“You're right. You should go to the office.”
“I'll come back for you.”
“You don't have to. I'll take the driver.”
Lucas looked at her.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You have work to do.”
He smiled.
“Call me when you're finished.”
“I will.”
He leaned over and kissed her.
“Good luck.”
Natalie smiled.
“Thank you.”
She stepped out of the car and walked toward the mansion.
Lucas watched until she disappeared through the doors.
His smile faded.
He picked up his phone.
“It's me,” he said when the call connected. “I'll see you later today.”
He paused.
“Make sure you're not being followed.”
He listened for a moment.
“Use our usual spot.”
After ending the call, he started the car.
He had work to attend to.
Inside the mansion, Natalie found her father waiting for her in his study.
“Dad.”
Richard smiled.
“Come in, sweetheart.”
Natalie walked over and hugged him.
“You sounded so serious in your message. You made me curious all night.”
Her father laughed.
“I knew you would be.”
“Then tell me.”
Richard gestured toward the chair.
“Sit down.”
Natalie sat.
Richard opened a folder on his desk.
“Now that you're married, there are some things I promised to settle for you.”
Natalie's eyes widened.
“My inheritance?”
“Yes.”
She smiled immediately.
Richard continued.
“I've already arranged everything legally. The house is yours, and the money has been transferred into an account in your name.”
Natalie stared at him.
“What house?”
“The estate in Westbrook.”
Her mouth fell open.
“Dad, that house?”
Richard nodded.
“That house.”
Natalie stood.
“You're giving me that?”
“Yes.”
She walked around the desk and hugged him.
“Thank you!”
Richard laughed as she held him tightly.
“And there's more.”
Natalie pulled away.
“More?”
“A hundred million dollars.”
She stared at him.
“Dad.”
“It's yours.”
“Are you serious?”
“I wouldn't joke about something like this.”
Natalie hugged him again.
“I love you!”
“I love you too.”
She stepped back, still smiling.
“I can't believe this.”
“You're married now, and I wanted you to have something substantial of your own.”
Natalie wiped at the corner of her eye.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Richard smiled.
“Just remember something.”
“What?”
“Money is useful, but it isn't everything.”
Natalie nodded.
“I know.”
“And be careful.”
She smiled.
“You've already given me that speech.”
“I'll keep giving it to you.”
“Okay.”
He looked at her seriously.
“Especially now.”
Natalie understood what he meant.
“You're talking about Lucas again.”
“I'm talking about everyone.”
She sighed.
“Dad, Lucas loves me.”
“I hope he does.”
“He does.”
Richard nodded.
“Then I have nothing more to say.”
Natalie smiled.
“Thank you.”
She kissed his cheek before picking up her phone.
“I need to tell my husband.”
Richard laughed.
“Go ahead.”
Natalie stepped outside and immediately called Lucas.
He answered quickly.
“Hi, baby.”
“Lucas!”
He laughed.
“What happened?”
“My father gave me the inheritance.”
There was a short pause.
Natalie continued excitedly.
“He gave me the Westbrook estate and a hundred million dollars.”
Lucas was silent for a moment.
Then his voice became warm.
“Wow.”
“I know!”
“That is incredible.”
“I told you my father doesn't do small gifts.”
Lucas laughed softly.
“We're going to celebrate tonight.”
Natalie smiled.
“I can't wait”
“ Oh I forgot I have a lot to do today.”
She frowned playfully.
“Work?”
“Yes. I have meetings and contracts to sign. I'll probably get home late tonight.”
“That's okay.”
“Tomorrow, we'll celebrate properly.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Natalie smiled.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The call ended.
Natalie looked at her phone with a huge smile.
Meanwhile, Lucas placed his phone on the desk and stared at it.
A moment later, he made another call.
The same number he had contacted earlier answered.
“I'm on my way to our usual spot,” Lucas said. “I'll see you when I get there.”
He ended the call and left.
Lucas drove to a private resort on the outskirts of the city, far from the busy streets and places where someone might recognize him. He parked in the underground garage and took a private elevator to one of the resort’s secluded suites.
Claire was already waiting for him inside.
She had been sitting on the edge of the bed, checking her phone, but the moment she heard the door open, she looked up.
Lucas stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
The moment she saw him, she stood.
“You're late.”
“I had to make sure nobody noticed me.”
Claire folded her arms.
“And?”
“Everything is fine.”
She searched his face.
“Did she get it?”
Lucas sat down.
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“A hundred million dollars.”
Claire's eyes widened.
“A hundred million?”
“And a house.”
Claire slowly smiled.
“So it's finally worth it.”
Lucas looked at her.
“It was always worth it.”
Claire sat beside him.
“We don't have to wait anymore.”
Lucas shook his head.
“Not yet.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“We just got married.”
“So?”
“So people are watching us.”
Claire stared at him.
“What are you saying?”
“I'm saying we need to be patient.”
Claire looked frustrated.
“How long?”
Lucas leaned back.
“Give her a few days.”
“A few days?”
“Yes.”
She stared at him.
“Lucas, you said once she got the inheritance, everything would be easier.”
“It will be.”
“Then why wait?”
“Because we need to do this carefully.”
Claire was quiet.
Lucas looked at her.
“We just got married. Let her enjoy it.”
Claire's expression hardened.
“How long?”
Lucas thought for a moment.
“A week.”
Claire slowly nodded.
“A week.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Then after a week?”
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
“After a week, everything changes.”
Lucas looked at Claire for a moment, taking in her beautiful face. A small smile appeared on his lips before he opened his arms to her.
“Come closer to me, baby.”Lucas said with a smile and Claire went to him and wrapped her arms around him.
“Did you come here just to ask me about the inheritance?”He teased. “Don't you miss me?”
Claire pulled him closer.
“Of course I missed you.”
She rested her head against his chest.
“Then stop acting like we're only here for business.”Lucas said.
“You're right.”
He kissed her forehead and held her for a moment.
“I've been thinking about you all day.”
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