After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 621

Jennifer didn’t care if Natalie wanted to mess with Isabella. That was Natalie’s business. But dragging Sophia into it? That was crossing the line.

“She put you up to this, right? All this trouble you’ve been causing Isabella these past couple days. Besides the drug, what else did she tell you to do? How exactly did she want you to go after Isabella?” Jennifer’s tone was sharp, her patience already gone.

Sophia knew she was in serious trouble this time. She didn’t even try to hide it. She told her mom everything, then quickly reached into her bag and handed over a big packet of itching powder. “Natalie gave me this too,” she said, her voice small.

“I didn’t get a chance to use it on Isabella. You and Ethan showed up before I could do anything. I was going to wait for another chance… sprinkle it on her and make her miserable.”

“Mom, Natalie said none of this could actually hurt her. It was just supposed to embarrass Isabella, ruin her reputation, that kind of thing. Ethan wouldn’t want her back, and everyone would hate her even more after the scandal.”

Sophia’s eyes pleaded for understanding. “Mom, Natalie was just trying to help us. Isabella isn’t good enough for Ethan. She’s not even worthy of shining his shoes. The only reason Ethan married her was so he could keep seeing Natalie. She’s just a pawn, and when you’re done with a pawn, you throw it away.”

Jennifer’s anger snapped. Her hand shot out, slapping Sophia across the face.

Jennifer had actually liked Natalie at first. The Adams and Gates families were close, their businesses tangled together in all sorts of ways. She’d thought for sure Natalie and Ethan would end up together. Mia had always been her favorite, but Mia was off in another country and had no real bond with Ethan. Natalie and Ethan were childhood friends, and both families had been hoping for a match.

Then Natalie chose Jordan. After that, Ethan just bottled up his feelings and never said a word about it, but he still spoiled Natalie every chance he got. Whatever she needed, Ethan would drop everything for her. He’d help with her investments, come up with business plans, treat her projects like they were his own.

Ethan had even gotten the Adams Group to partner more with the Gates Group, and that meant more business for the Lane Group too. In the past two years, thanks to Natalie, the Lane Group had landed so many deals from the Adams Group, sometimes even making money without putting in a dime.