I Found Him Cheating, I Cut Off Our Engagement

Chapter 6 Showdown on the Heights

As Natalie strode out of the auction venue, she was greeted by a throng gathered outside. The earlier disturbance had unsettled the entire club, drawing security, staff, and patrons alike to the entrance, murmuring among themselves.

Disregarding the curious glances, she headed purposefully toward the parking area, only for her path to be obstructed by two towering men just as she reached for the car door.

"Ms. Stewart," one declared, "Mr. Quinn requests your presence on the rooftop."

Natalie halted, her tone glacial. "And if I decide not to?"

The guard's voice remained steady, yet laced with an unmistakable threat. "Mr. Quinn indicated that should anything happen to Ms. Scott, you would regret it."

She hesitated briefly, her thoughts racing.

Natalie knew Hunter's nature. When he fixated on something, no lengths were too great. With Layla now injured, Hunter might go to drastic lengths to pacify the situation.

"Take me there."

Flanked by her unofficial escorts, she was ushered toward the elevator leading upward. The rooftop greeted them with fierce gusts. Layla stood by the railing, her forehead swathed in bandages, tear tracks still visible on her face. Hunter lingered nearby, visibly on edge.

Upon Natalie's arrival, Layla turned to her, tears brimming anew.

"Ms. Stewart, I know you despise me, but it wasn't intentional! You've already slapped and berated me. Why must you humiliate me like that?"

Natalie fixed her gaze on Hunter. "Did you drag me up here just for her performance?"

Hunter's expression hardened. "Natalie, Layla is deeply troubled and on edge. Apologize to her immediately and help soothe her nerves."

"Apologize?" Natalie scoffed, disbelief in her voice. "And why exactly should I do that?"

"You hit her, that's why!" Hunter's voice dropped, simmering with anger. "You smacked her with three bottles. She could be looking at a serious head injury."

"And did she stop for a moment," Natalie shot back, her voice rising defiantly, "to consider that the bracelet she broke was the only connection I had left to my mom? Hunter, you always notice her bruises, but what about my emotional scars? Do they mean nothing?"

Hunter was momentarily at a loss for words, then flushed with indignation. "The bracelet can wait. Right now, her health is the priority!"

Layla strategically recoiled from the railing, her frame shivering theatrically. "If you won't apologize, I'll jump from here."

"Then do it."

Natalie's challenge reverberated through the air, freezing the atmosphere.

Layla's sobs halted like a faucet being shut off, while Hunter's jaw dropped in shock as he gaped at Natalie.

"If you're going to jump, then do it." Natalie stepped forward, her gaze sharp as glass as she fixed it on Layla. "But you'd better weigh your options. Do you really want to end it all, or is this just a stunt to make me fold?"

Layla turned ashen.

"If you genuinely want to end your life, I won't stand in your way. But if this is just an act..."

Her lips twisted into a disdainful smirk. "Let me be clear. Even if you end up a smear on the pavement, I won't apologize. Because I'm not in the wrong."

The rooftop was eerily quiet. Not a sound broke the tension.

"Natalie, are you out of your mind?" Hunter yelled.

"I'm speaking nothing but the truth." Natalie faced him, any warmth in her expression gone. "Hunter, are you so blinded? She doesn't want to die. She's trying to use you as a pawn to bend me to her will!"

"I'm not!" Layla shrieked, her dramatics rising several notches. "Mr. Quinn, it's not true! I'm overwhelmed with despair. Ms. Stewart is driving me to the edge. I can't endure this torment any longer."

With those words, she edged closer to the brink, putting on a show of despair.

Hunter was rattled to his core. "Layla, please, don't act on impulse!"

Turning to Natalie, his expression was one of earnest desperation. "Natalie, please, I implore you, can't you just apologize? Once she's settled down, we can..."

The sight of his humbled state contrasted sharply with the memory of him six months prior. Back then, he had implored her persistently for three days and nights to secure their engagement. He had looked into her eyes, red with emotion, and declared, "Natha, you're the only person I'll ever love in this life."

At that time, she was swept off her feet, convinced she had found genuine love. Now, the thought seemed almost comical.

"Alright," Natalie suddenly agreed.

A glimmer of hope sparked in Hunter's eyes. "So you'll apologize?"

"But there are conditions," Natalie clarified crisply. "Once I apologize, our engagement is over. We go our separate ways for good."

Hunter stood there, speechless.

Meanwhile, Layla began her dramatics, sobbing loudly. "Mr. Quinn, I can't bear this any longer!"

"Fine! I accept!" Hunter managed through clenched teeth, deciding in a flash without hesitation.

Natalie approached Layla and offered, "Ms. Scott, my apologies. It was wrong of me to strike you with a bottle."

Layla shielded her face, remaining silent.

Hunter rushed to her side, urging, "Layla, Natalie has apologized. Will you come down now?"

Layla shook her head, her sobs growing more intense, making it hard for her to catch her breath. "My father always said that for an apology to be sincere, the offender must endure the same suffering as the victim."

Hunter was taken aback.

Natalie understood the implication immediately, a demand for her to endure three blows from a bottle.

"No way," she refused without hesitation. "Don't mistake kindness for weakness."

"I'm not," Layla protested through her tears, "I'm just in so much pain. Ms. Stewart, do you even realize how much it hurts to be hit on the head with a bottle?"

She leaned farther over the railing, half her body suspended precariously in the air.

Hunter's forehead shone with perspiration as he clasped her hand tightly. He turned to Natalie, desperation lacing his voice. "Natalie, just this once. Call it a favor you owe me!"

Natalie's gaze was icy as she issued her warning. "Hunter, think carefully about what you're doing."

Hunter's lips quivered, but he eventually barked at the nearby staff, "Go! Get three bottles of red wine!"

The staff, without wasting a moment, hurried to fulfill his order.

Natalie stood silently, no tears, no outburst. Her eyes burned relentlessly into Hunter. The red wine arrived swiftly.

With shaky hands, Hunter seized a bottle. "Natalie, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you when this is over."

The first bottle shattered against her shoulder, the impact carried by the wind. She gasped in pain and staggered. The second bottle struck her forehead. The third hit her arm.

Hunter hadn't used all his strength, yet the broken glass still grazed her cheek. Once all three bottles shattered, Natalie remained standing.

Her eyes met Layla's gloating expression. "Is that enough?"

Briefly, satisfaction flickered across Layla's face, though she maintained her act. "Ms. Stewart, I'm sorry. This wasn't my intention."

"Enough!" Hunter cut her off abruptly, pulling her away from the edge.

He drew Layla in close, glanced at the bruised Natalie, seemed on the verge of speaking, but stayed silent. Then he turned and quickly departed with his entourage.

A staff member approached tentatively. "Ms. Stewart, should we call an ambulance?"

Natalie slowly shook her head. "No need."

She forced herself toward the elevator, each step a struggle. Once inside, her strength gave way, and she crumpled to the floor. As the doors began to close, she managed to pull out her phone and, with her remaining strength, sent a message to Logan.

Natalie: Grandpa, the engagement must be called off. Immediately.

As the elevator descended, she slumped back against the wall and succumbed to unconsciousness.