Natalie's right brow lifted slightly in a cocky manner as she connected one and two together. She smiled, turned out enemies really met in a narrow road. Who would have thought the man she wanted to beat up for messing with her sister would bring himself to her?

But, it didn't seem right. They clearly didn't know each other so he had no reason for coming to chat with her. Natalie became suspicious of him.

"Alice didn't tell you about me?" Director An asked.

"Natie" Mikael walked come and placed his hand on Natalie's shoulder protectively. Without bothering to show any courtesy​ towards Director An. He furrowed his brows when he noticed the unpleasant look on Director An's face.

"Mikael, you came earlier than I thought" Natalie touched his hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"Mm, I didn't want to leave you alone. In case anyone saw you and thought that you were single"

"Mikael Sun, hi" Director An smiled anxiously as he looked at Mikael. He wasn't stupid. He could sense that they were a couple. But, what he didn't understand was why Mimi was willing to risk so much just to put the woman to shame. Obviously her plan was to disgrace her but Mikael Sun was a dangerous man. He didn't know if Mimi knew just how dangerous the man in front of him was.

"Director An was here because...?" Mikael asked as he raised an eyebrow at him.

"Nothing much. Miss Jun is Alice's sister, so I just came to greet and get aquainted with her. I will go back to my seat down" Director An said and stood up quickly. When he turned to leave he saw Mimi walking towards them.

"Elder sister, look. Mom and dad are here. I told them I would bring you to say hi" Mimi walked over and said to Natalie. She looked at Mikael and nodded her head. "Hi, Mikael"

Mikael looked at her quietly and didn't say anything. He turned to Natalie and asked, "do you want me to go with you?"

"No need, there are a lot of people here, you should get closer to them. Everyone is a potential business partner. Let's not waste the chance. I will go with Mimi to meet my mother and join you soon" Natalie said and stood up. She looked at Mimi's long gown and smirked mischevously.

Mikael nodded his head and smirked. It seems he was worried for nothing. It seemed the little woman was capable of playing dirty too.

"Elder sister, let's go" Mimi wrapped her arm around Natalie's hand and turned for them to leave together. Her voice was especially loud and it drew attention to them.

Natalie was not sure what she was playing at but this time, she was going to play along with her. Natalie walked side by side with Mimi. Even though she was conscious of the gazes on her.

"Mom, dad. I brought elder sister" Mimi said enthusiastically​.

Natalie bowed at the two people who were nothing but strangers to her. Her eyes were clear and didn't show any bit of emotion at all. It could be said that she had finally reached a point that she no longer expected anything from them hence she didn't feel anything towards them.

Solace Song studied Natalie's nonchalant attitude and felt a pang in her heart. She wondered how they came to this point in their lives. She could see that the woman in front of her had no reaction towards her anymore.

"Natalie, you look beautiful tonight. I was impressed by your speech tonight" Daniel Song said.

"Thank you, Mr. Song" Natalie replied and the smile on Daniel's face faded away. His lips quivered unpleasantly.

"Elder sister you..."

"Let it be, Mimi. Natalie is still not used to me. There is no pressure at all, Natalie. We are a family; I know that you will get used to me been with your mother"

"Don't misunderstand me, Mr. Song, I don't have any problem with Miss Ash. I was immature back then but not anymore. You two are a pair made for each other"

Solace Ash! That was her full name. This was the first time Natalie was using her full name to address her own mother. This went a long way to show that they really had nothing doing with each other anymore. Whatever relationship they had at first is no more.

"Let's talk alone, Natalie" Solace said as she looked at Natalie.

"Sure, after you" Natalie said and followed Solace out of the hall politely.

Mimi smirked as she placed the glass of wine I'm between her lips. She was quite satisfied with how estranged the two were now. This way, she wouldn't have​to fight for attention anymore.

"Mimi" Daniel called and she turned.

"Yes, Dad?" Mimi looked up innocently.

"You should go and say hi to Janice Yun, let's go"

"Yes Daddy"

.....

"My apologies. I should have found out the truth before my behavior that time" Solace said once they were out.

Natalie's hands quivered and she turned to look at her with a shocked expression. All her life, this was the first time her mother was apologising to her after doing her wrong. She wasn't sure if what heard was really Nice apology or her mind playing her. Her lips parted slightly but no words came out.

Upon closer look, they shared a striking resemblance. Even in her early fifties, Solace still had a very youthful appearance. Anyone would think that they were sisters if they didn't know.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Solace asked and clumsily touched her face. Her sleeve shifted and Natalie saw a bruised line but it was quickly covered up that she thought she had probably thought too much.

"This is the first time you're apologising to me. All my 26 years, this is the first time. Are you even sincere or are you just apologising so that you won't feel any guilt for treating me like trash in the past?" Natalie asked.

"You can take it if you want"

" I will take it because I deserve it. But, it won't change anything, I can't be bought with an apology"

"Natalie, I am not going to ask for forgiveness from you. Whether you believe it or not, everything I ever did was to ensure that you are safe. I don't owe you anything but, you... You owe me your life and the happiness that you are enjoying now is as a result of the sacrifice I made a long time ago. I don't regret it and I would gladly go through it again if that means making sure that you are healthy and safe" Solace looked at Natalie with a complicated gaze. It hid a lot of emotions in it but it was unreadable. She shifted her gaze after a brief moment.

"What are you talking about?" Natalie furrowed her brows. She had a feeling that there was more to it than her mother was letting out. There were so many hidden meaning in her words.

"Prove to me that you can be safe or I won't be able to hold on for so long. Do you think I will be alive forever so that you could hate on me?" Solace smiled bitterly and stretched forth her hand to touch Natalie but she stopped herself and looked away instead.

"What...?"

"Honey, I want to introduce someone to you" Daniel walked over to them and held Solace's hand. He tightened his grip on her and she faked a smiled and turned away with Daniel.

Natalie looked confused as she looked at the couple departing from her. She looked at the back of her body and frowned when she noticed for the first time that she wasn't walking straight.

"Is she sick?" Natalie muttered.

"Maybe" a voice came from the side.

Natalie stepped back in fright. She turned and saw Detective Wales. "Detective Wales, what are you doing there?" Natalie asked.

"I was relaxing at the back there when I heard voices. Turned out it was you and your mother?'

"Me and... Wait. Did you know who I was?"

"I knew who you were before we met and no, I didn't create any coincidence for us to meet. We met naturally"

"As if I would believe that" Natalie said. "What did you mean by what you said earlier on?"

"Don't you feel that she is acting strange lately? Your mother, I mean"

"This is the first time I am seeing her in two months" Natalie paused and looked at Wales suspiciously, "Detective Wales, do you know something about Solace Ash?'

"It's not in my place to disclose confidential information but, if I were you, I would pay attention to her more whether out of love or hatred. She's been keeping tabs on you so maybe you should start doing same" Wales said and started walking away.

"Detective Wales..." Natalie hurried towards him and be picked a glass of wine and gave the other one to Natalie.

"I will see you around, Miss Jun" Wales said and smiled as he looked at the confused face of Natalie and walked away.