From Divorce To Dominance

Natalie paused, momentarily stunned. After three years with Darren, she knew exactly what kind of person he was. She never expected he would actually be willing to dance like this. Raising an eyebrow, she slowly turned around. When she saw the grim expression on his face, an inexplicable satisfaction washed over her.

Crossing her arms, she casually took a couple of steps back. "Mr. Luther, what do you mean by 'I guess I danced okay? You sound like you're not really into it." Darren thought. It wasn't just my tone, I was practically radiating resistance! How dare she play the innocent victim after making me do this?"

Darren forced a thin smile and replied. "You don't know if I'm willing or not?"

To his surprise, she quickly jumped in to encourage him. "Mr. Luther, life is too short to do what you don't want to do. Don't force yourself into things you're not happy with."

He thought, 'She is really taking liberties here, isn't she? She tells me not to push myself, but then makes it clear that if I don't dance, she won't meet Grandpa. How clever of her! I can't believe I didn't see how good she was at pushing my buttons before

Darren forced out a laugh and replied, word by word, "I'm not forced. I'm doing this willingly."

Natalie feigned shock and exaggeratedly blinked at him. "But Mr. Luther, from your expression, I really can't see any willingness. How about you give me a smile instead?"

"Natalie."

Natalle Darren's blood pressure seemned to s**e as he quietly warned her, "I'm not

a clown."

"But if you're going to look all miserable, it's better if you don't dance at all: Natalie shrugged.

Darren glared at her for a while, but she simply let him stare. The intimidation tactic he had relied on for three years was no longer effective against her.

He was so frustrated that he couldn't even be angry; all he had was a complicated mix of disappointment and agitation.

Licking his teeth, he couldn't hide a hint of irritation in his voice "Natalie, is this because we got divorced? Are you really holding a grudge against me? Is this your way of making my life harder? You think this will get my attention?" realized that he could say that all he wanted, but she wouldn't be surprised anymore.

Natalie

Calmly listening, she tilted her head and laughed, "Mr. Luther, if you really think I'm trying to make things harder for you, you're welcome to leave right now. No need to suffer just because of me."

She finished speaking and gestured for him to leave, looking at him with calmness. Her eyes were clear and enchanting. devoid of any strong emotion. That gaze felt strange and distant. Just months ago, when she looked at him, her eyes brimmed with expectation and love.

Darren felt a bit down. After a moment, he let out a soft laugh, "You've changed. You never used to speak to me like this. Now you're quite the sharp talker!"

At the mention of the past, Natalie felt a flicker of emotion. But she quickly steadied herself, shaking her head slowly. She had always been herself; she hadn't changed at all. While loving him, she had held back her true self, and he thought he had tamed her.

Natalie returned to her seat and changed the topic without any emotion. "Mr. Luther, are you ready for your performance?"

13:33 Sun. Sep 22

Suppressing his irritation. Darren replied, "Let's get this over with

Π

He had just glanced through the schedule, and there were other activities lined up. It would be best if they could return to the Luther residence before dinner. Natalie immediately called for the lights and music, making everything feel like a Broadway show was about to start.

Darren couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, thinking she was really making mountain out of a molehill. No woman needs. to go this far, no guy would appreciate it

The bodyguards took about ten minutes to set up everything, and then the lights suddenly focused on him.

Natalie, sitting directly opposite him, lifted her chin as if giving a royal command. "Let's begin"

Darren grimaced slightly. With her high-and-mighty demeanor, she was having the maid serve her coffee. He thought, She looks just like a queen. Im like a dancer performing for her! Ugh! A dancer? No way! I'm the CEO of the Luther Group. There's no way I'm going to be stuck playing a role like that!'

He was enduring this for his Grandpa Henry's sake, putting up with the humiliation and biding his time! Just as he was lost in these thoughts, the music began to play softly. Natalie lounged lazily in her chair, resting her chin on one hand. "Are you going to just stand there? Start already!"

With a berce glare, Darren shot her a look, grudgingly moving his body to the rhythm of the music.

Darren had seen Howard perform this dance a few times. It was nothing but some suggestive moves. He could learn them just by watching. The essence of the whole performance was in "taking off clothes," but he had no intention of actually stripping down to flaunt his abs.

He thought, What does she think I am? I'm not that kind of guy!

Abubbling frustration rose inside Darren as he moved through the steps like a robot. Just as he hit the third position, Natalie shouted. "Stop" The music cut off instantly

With a half-stirk, he looked at Natalie. "What now, my lady?"

"Twist your waist, move those hips, lift your butt! You didn't nail a single move!" She frowned disapprovingly. "If you can't do just say so. You're flailing around like a fish out of water. I'll give you one last chance-hit it or quit it."

What did you just say?" Darren's temples Natalie only smiled atPublished by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

at him with a scornful abbed with irritation. "I can't do it? I'm flailing? Am I embarrassing you?"

ful attitude.

Darren was genuinely angry. Darren threw himself into the performance! With bold and dramatic moves, he turned the dance into something alluring and s**y, making everyone in the room feel hot and bothered.

He let out a brief, cold laugh, lifting his chin defiantly. Then, in one swift motion, he yanked at his collar, popping open his suit buttons, and tossed the jacket aside. "Let's do this again!" A mere striptease was nothing to him. The sultry music played on, full of rhythm and allure.

He glided over his waist, shrugged his shoulders, and swayed those hips, each move a killer! Particularly the final one where he unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his abs.

Eight perfectly defied alas glistened with a light sheen of sweat against his sun-kissed skin, radiating a potent masculine energy that felt almost intoxicating.

When the music stopped, Ďarren wiped his forehead, looked up and flashed a cheeky grin. 'Elow was that?"

Natalie blinked, momentarily dazed, coming back to reality.

He leaned in

teasingly asking. "Are you satisfied with what you saw?"

With sincerity, Natalie nodded. "Honestly, if the Luther Group ever went under, you could totally go into stripping. Rich Ladies would be all over you!

As he ambled back to put on his suit, Darren rolled his eyes at lier ridiculousness. The Luther Group will never go bankrupt, so stop dreaming. If it weren't for Grandpa Henry, I wouldn't even consider dancing like this." However, glancing at Natalie. Darren noticed her ears had turned slightly red.

It felt so embarrassing. Dancing for woman was the greatest humiliation he'd ever faced! He vowed this would be the first and last time he ever danced in his life.

He let out a soft chuckle, casually mocking her. "Ms. Xavier, you looked at me just now as if a hungry wolf eyeing its prey- any moment I expected you to pounce."