The next morning, after breakfast, Noah handed over all the information about Natalie to Justin. Justin went through the tablet, carefully reading each and every detail to know Natalie better before their meeting.
Natalie Ford, the eldest daughter of the Ford family. Her mother died in an accident when Natalie was seven. Her father, Jay Ford, brought his mistress Clara home, along with her daughter Briena, who was a few months younger than Natalie. After her mother's death, Natalie became a troublemaker in the family and hated her stepmother and half-sister. During her first year of university, she was accused of plagiarism during a perfume creation competition, said to have stolen her half-sister Briena's work, and was expelled from the school. She made several attempts to harm Briena, and was often punished by the family.
In the same year, Natalie tried to harm Briena by causing an accident just before an important piano competition, almost costing Briena's career as a pianist. To punish her, the family sent seventeen year old Natalie away to a far-off place, Zyros City, a place nothing but living hell, filled with dangers. The Ford family did not provide her with any monetary support, leaving her to fend for herself, more likely leaving her to die there.
"Where is the information about her five years in Zyros?" Justin asked, curious about how she survived there.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Harper. Even with our best sources, we couldn't obtain any information on Ms. Ford's life there. Xyros City is ruled by mafias, and it's difficult for outsiders to infiltrate it to get any information," Noah said, looking regretful for failing this task.
Justin read further. Natalie returned home two years ago and started working with Ivan Brown in his company. Given her dynamics with the family, he understood why she didn't work in her own family's company.
He was quite surprised to read about Natalie's achievements at such a young age, as she single-handedly took care of the R&D department as a director and even created the best-selling perfumes for the company, which saved it from bankruptcy.
"She seems to be quite talented," Justin mumbled.
"Miss Ford resigned from her job and left the company," Noah informed Justin before she moved to the next page.
"Resigned?" Surprised, Justin read the next page and understood that her position had been given to Briena, who was now Ivan's fiancée. "Such an idiot."
"Mr. Brown?" Noah asked.
"The one who can't separate personal and professional matters and loses such a precious asset to the company is nothing but an idiot," Justin commented, clearly recognizing Natalie's contribution and dedication to her work.
"Any data on who she married?" Justin asked.
Noah hesitated slightly, as he hadn't been able to gather that information either. "The man's name is said to be Aiden Handrix, but we couldn't find anything about him, as if someone is intentionally hiding everything related to him, or as if the man does not exist at all," Noah explained. "But we are trying our best to find out."
Justin's expression changed, finding this situation strange.
"There is a video footage we got from her office when she resigned," Noah offered, trying to make up for the missing information. He played the video for Justin.
The footage didn't exactly show the inside of Natalie's office but provided a view from the outside through the glass walls. Inside, she was seen setting a file on fire. Later, her conversation with Briena and Ivan could be heard before the entire floor was drenched in water from the sprinklers, and Natalie walked out of her office looking victorious.
Justin and Noah were stunned by her actions. She had set a fire in the office and left with her head held high, without any hesitation!
Justin somehow started to believe what he felt about Natalie while watching her in the video from the reception area. She was more than she revealed to others.
Putting the tablet aside, Justin asked, "Any news on her whereabouts?"
"Ms. Ford is staying at her friend's apartment after being thrown out of the home. She is on the way to the head office. Our people are waiting for her outside the office building. They will bring her here."
Natalie reached the head office of the Harper Group. Just as she stepped out of her car, a man in a dark suit approached her. "Ms. Natalie Ford?"
Natalie turned to look at the man after closing the door. "Yes?"
"I am here to take you to Mr. Justin Harper," the man informed her politely.
She scrutinized him carefully. His appearance and demeanor suggested he worked for someone in power, but she eyed him with suspicion. "How do you know I'm here to meet someone?"
The man remained calm. "Mr. Harper was informed that Ms. Ford wishes to meet him, so he sent me to bring you to him personally."
Though still doubtful, she agreed. "Alright."
"Please follow me." The man guided her towards a black luxury car and opened the door for her. Though hesitant, she sat inside anyway, holding onto the hope of finally meeting this man.
The car stopped at a luxury hotel nearby, where Justin was staying. The man led Natalie to the presidential suite on the top floor of the hotel. They entered the suite, where a man was waiting for her in the drawing room, sitting on the sofa. His one leg folded over another, a hand resting on the armrest, his expressions calm and composed.
"Ms. Ford, please have a seat," instructed the man who brought her, standing off to the side.
Natalie sat in a chair opposite the man, feeling confused as she looked at the man ahead. This wasn't Justin Harper. She looked around the room, hoping to see the man she was supposed to meet.
"Ms. Ford, were you looking for me?" The man asked.
"No. I was looking for Mr. Justin Harper," she replied, starting to get irritated, "You're not him, so cut the act and stop wasting my time." straight away
"How can you claim that?" The man's voice barely changed, but Natalie had a feeling he was trying to keep himself calm. "I could have you arrested for this insult!"
Natalie rolled her eyes, unbothered by his threat. She stood up and loomed over him threateningly, "If this is some kind of prank, you should know that I'm quite good with mixed martial arts, and I'm not afraid to use my fists!"