A few days later, the vice president of the Carter's Company, Fred Norton, came to see Nathalia at Queenland. Though Nathalia didn't like his presence, she took him to a café near the university.

As soon as they sat down, Fred said, "Miss Nathalia Carter, Mr. Carter is in the hospital. Why don't you come and take care of the company?" Straight to the point.

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Nathalia glanced at him, then waved to the waiter and ordered a cappuccino, before she answered, "I'm still a student. The study is my priority. I won't interfere with the company business."

Fred was startled to hear Nathalia's answer. He had predicted various responses but never had he expected her to refuse straight away.

"But the stock price is dropping drastically. Everyone is at a loss. We need a leader, and now is the best time for you, Miss Nathalia Carter, to take over." He persuaded me.

Nathalia took another look at him, right into his eyes, as if she could see through him. Then she looked down at the menu and said, "You can elect a new president to replace Mr. Carter for now. Don't waste your time on me."

Fred realized that he had underestimated Nathalia. If it was someone else, they would have agreed to the great opportunity instantly. Yet Nathalia seemed very indifferent. He wondered what she was thinking or if she was waiting for something. She was too calm to reveal a tiny hint.

She's an unusual one. I can't analyze her in the usual way.

"What if Mr. Carter has to stay in the hospital forever?" Fred asked tentatively.

The waiter brought the coffee, and the pleasant smell greeted Nathalia's nose. "Then find a competent president. If the money is good enough, I'm sure you will find someone."

Fred knitted his eyebrows uncertainty. He had been in the business field for a few decades, but he couldn't figure out what this young girl was thinking. "Are you sure you don't want to take over Carter's Company?"

A subtle sneer appeared on Nathalia's face. She said, sort of mockingly, "Mr. Carter has made it clear that his son Zack Carter will take over the company. As long as it doesn't affect my benefits, it's fine with me."

"You trust Zack Carter?" Fred followed immediately.

"No," Nathalia replied casually, "but if Mr. Carter insists that Zack Carter is the new president, then I will sell all my shares."

Fred couldn't comprehend Nathalia's way of thinking. What's in her head? Could it be that she knew what I'm thinking about? It's unlikely.

After a few seconds of silence, Fred said encouragingly, "But why don't you just take over the company so Zack Carter won't have the chance?"

Nathalia looked at Fred and said, "You know what, Mr. Norton, why don't you take over the company instead? I don't care, really."

The cold look made Fred shiver. Immediately, he defended, "Oh, no, no, no. I wouldn't do so."

Nathalia stared at Fred for a good few seconds, then stood up and said, "I shall make a move and head back to class now. See you."

Fred watched her walk out of the door. He noticed that she hadn't even touched her coffee. Then a woman who had been sitting at another table came and sat down next to him. "What does she mean? What is she thinking? Can you tell?" The woman asked.

It was Maria Lawrence, one of the shareholders, Frank's secret lover.

Fred had the frown on again. "I didn't dare to enquire much. She's a calculating one."

Someone that could get Frank Carter and Anne Carter utterly humiliated in public is someone not to be underestimated.

When her eyes are so clear, and they look at you, you shiver with fear as if they can see through you. Fred thought.

"We have to get her into the company," Maria said sternly.

"It's not easy." Fred shook his head, helplessly. Even Mr. Carter couldn't do anything about it, and he has to hide in the hospital now. Also, Mrs. Carter will never be able to resume her reputation anymore.

Maria smiled and said, "That's why Mr. Carter assigned you to this mission. He trusts your capability."

"Yes. I understand." Fred nodded.

It was already midnight, and Nathalia was still doing her homework. There had been too much going on recently, and she was falling behind her study. The warm light added an air of gentleness to her.

Elbows on the desk, her chin in her hands, Sophie watched Nathalia curiously. "Nathalia, why do you always work so hard? With everything you do, you always do the best you can. It's tiring, isn't it?"

She had more than enough money to spend; she could have anything she wanted; she didn't even need to go to university, but she worked so hard. The Trend, revenge on Carter, all these rumors, there was so much to deal with, yet she was still working hard, catching up with her study.

Nathalia answered casually, without looking up at Sophie, "Live a day at a time and live it to its fullest. Work hard and follow my heart; that's what I believe."

Sophie herself wasn't a hard-working one. She preferred an easy and stress-less attitude towards life. "But it's so tiring." She couldn't understand Nathalia's way of thinking.

"Tiring, hard, difficult. Yes, it can be, but to be able to live is already a blessing. When we live, we do what we love and do it the best. I'm just happy to be alive." Nathalia looked up from her homework, and her eyes sparkled.

Sophie felt a sense of unease, hearing what Nathalia said. "Why, Nathalia. You are talking strange, like you are going to, to die...I don't like it."

Nathalia poured herself a glass of milk, had a gulp, then said, "We all have to die one day, so when we are still alive, we should live with no regrets. And when death comes, we can..."

The way Nathalia talked about death was so calm and casual that it made Sophie shiver. "Please stop. Let's not talk about death. I can't imagine life without you in this world."

Is she truly optimistic or negative? She always seems fearless, calm, and steady. But sometimes she's so calm that I feel like she's in a different world. Sophie thought to herself.

Nathalia stretched her arms, then looked at Sophie and said seriously, "Sophie, remember, whatever happens, keep living, for yourself and your mum. Live a beautiful and wonderful life."

A weird sense of fear grew inside Sophie. What's the matter?

"Nathalia, what happened? Tell me? Are you in trouble? Mum can help you. And Matt can help you. He always has a solution."

"Don't be silly. Everything's fine." Nathalia replied with a smile.

She looked at the calendar on the wall and stared at the date for a little while. Just two more months. Time flies. It's going too fast.