Chapter 306 The Slap
Finished
Sharing was second nature to her. Whenever Natalie found something good to eat or drink, her first instinct was to share it with Tracy. So, when the topic of a new concoction came up, she immediately thought of her.
The bartender smiled and got to work. A few minutes later, he slid a glass over to Natalie. He watched her with anticipation. “Go on, try it. I’m waiting for your feedback.”
In the past, any advice Natalie gave him had always been a massive help. Since she’d stopped coming around, he felt like his skills had hit a plateau. Other people couldn’t tell the difference, but he knew.
Natalie took a sip and offered a few pointers. The bartender’s eyes lit up. He gave her a huge thumbs up. “That’s why you’re the best. I knew something was missing, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. After hearing you say it, everything clicked. Drink as much as you want today, it’s on me.”
Her insight was invaluable to him. To the bartender, Natalie was both a mentor and a close friend.
Smiled. “It’s nothing. I’m just giving you a nudge. The rest is up to your own
Natalie took another sip and intuition.”
Her grandfather had been a connoisseur, and growing up around him, she had picked up quite a bit about the art of mixing drinks. Helping the bartender was just a bit of fun for her.
Maybe it was her bad mood, or maybe she was drinking too fast, but the alcohol hit her quickly. She felt a haze settling over her mind. Through the blur, she thought she saw Leon entering a private booth with a group of men in suits.
She shook her heavy head, and the figures vanished. Maybe it was just a hallucination. It was the middle of the night; why would that prick be out drinking? He should be at home playing nurse to Susan.
Stumbling slightly, she stood up and pulled out her phone to call Bryan to pick her up. The phone rang several times before someone finally answered.
“Come get me at Joy Bar,” Natalie blurted out. “I’m at the front bar and I’m drunk.”
“Okay,” a voice replied.
She paused. For a second, she thought that didn’t sound like her brother. Was it a wrong number? She shook her head again. No way. If it were a stranger, why would they agree to pick her up in the middle of the night? She was probably just overthinking things because of the booze.
Just as she was about to sit back down, a hand grabbed her arm. The grip was so tight it actually hurt. She tried to fight back instinctively, but when she turned around, she saw Leon’s face twisted in rage.
When Leon saw how drunk she was, his temper flared. He tightened his grip and started dragging her toward the exit.
“Natalie, I can’t believe how much you’ve let yourself go since you left me. You used to be so obedient. You never talked back, and you definitely never came to a shithole like this. Did that Tracy teach you this? I told you not to get close to her, but you wouldn’t listen. Look at what you’ve become.”
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Chapter 306 The Slap
Natalie tried to shake him off, but her legs felt like lead and she had no strength in her arms.
Finished
“Hey! Let her go or I’m calling security!” the bartender shouted. He had no respect for this guy showing up and manhandling Natalie.
Leon sneered. “She’s my girlfriend. Even if the cops come, they can’t do anything. Mind your own business if you don’t want trouble.”
He felt like he hadn’t disciplined Natalie enough lately, which was why she was acting out. His mother was right about women being put in their places, or they’d walk all over him.
The bartender froze. He suddenly realized this must be the boyfriend Natalie had mentioned. No wonder the Sand family hated him. Aside from a decent face, he was useless, and a guy who puts his hands on women should stay single until he dies.
Realizing she couldn’t pull away, Natalie leaned down and bit Leon’s wrist hard.
“Dammit!” Leon let go, yelping in pain. He immediately raised his hand and landed a loud, stinging slap across Natalie’s face.
“Natalie, you’re asking for it. You’re just acting like this because I’ve been taking care of Susan and neglecting you, right? Fine. You’re coming home with me tonight. Once we’ve slept together, you’ll stop being so damn bratty.”
He honestly believed all her recent rebellion was just because he’d stayed celibate for Susan for the last three years. In his head, sleeping with her was the ultimate reward that would make her realize she was still his and get her to fall back in line.
Natalie stood there, stunned. In all the time she had known him, this was the first time Leon had ever laid a hand on her.
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