Dumping Him for His Uncle (Natasha and Zachary)

"The reason I know this is because all the data is stored right here in my head. I believe that if you put in the effort, you could do the same," Natasha said.

Her words were firm yet composed, and in a way, they encouraged Elena rather than tearing her down.

The applause that followed came in waves, a clear sign of how well Natasha had handled the situation.noveldrama

After the seminar ended, Natasha found herself walking off, flanked by both Yancy and Quentin.

"Once we disembark, you're welcome to tour the research institute freely, Ms. Bradley. But first, there's something even more important—"

Before Quentin could finish, Yancy cut in.

"Natasha, getting you into the dual master's and PhD program wouldn't have been possible without Mr. Foster. He came to me first, then reached out to several international programs on your behalf."

Natasha was stunned.

"I thought it was you, Professor Stone, who kept my spot open. What does Mr. Foster have to do with it?"

Her confusion was understandable, and Yancy sighed, looking slightly helpless.

"I did keep your opportunity open, but it's been three years. Without a school willing to accept you now, that opportunity would've meant nothing," he said.

There was no denying it. If Zachary hadn't reached out to those institutions, Natasha wouldn't have stood a chance.

Even with all of Yancy's experience and connections, some academic rules couldn't be bent-not by influence or reputation.

Unless, of course, someone like Zachary found a creative way around the system.

"I didn't realize Professor Stone and Mr. Foster knew each other. I was just about to suggest that Ms. Bradley lead an upcoming project at Fansville Institute. We're launching a new study based in Cendale," Quentin said.

Natasha suddenly felt the weight pressing down on her. There was truth to the saying, "With great power came great responsibility."

To make the burden even heavier, the research project in Cendale that Quentin had mentioned was being funded by Zachary.

Quentin and Yancy had hit it off surprisingly well. As the two of them continued chatting, Natasha politely excused herself.

She headed up to the deck, hoping to spot Zachary, though she figured someone of his status probably wouldn't be lingering up there.

So, instead, she began searching the lower levels. Since she'd gone out of her way to avoid him before, she had no idea which floor Zachary was staying on.

"Mr. Foster?"

Natasha knocked on door after door, all the way down to the lowest level-yet received no answer.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from the floor above and quickly turned to run up the stairs.

That's when she caught the sound of voices-Zachary's and Matthew's.

"Uncle Zachary, why are you helping Natasha? If this is about me marrying Nicole, you don't have to keep doing this. We don't owe her anything," Matthew said.

After the engagement had fallen apart, Matthew had someone look into the account that received money from the blackmail video.

They hadn't traced the exact person, but the transaction locations matched Natasha's whereabouts on multiple occasions.

That data was vague, but the pattern lined up.

"That's your debt to her. I'm not here to clean up after you," Zachary said coolly.

He'd never liked his nephew to begin with, and this kind of self-absorbed behavior only made it worse.

"So, what... Uncle Zachary, do you like her?" Matthew pressed.

Listening just a few steps away, Natasha tensed, and her breath caught in her throat.

There was a long pause before Zachary let out a cold laugh. "Since when do I have to report my actions to you? Matthew, if you care so much, maybe visit Uncle Steven once in a while."

Apparently, that struck a nerve. Matthew grabbed Zachary by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"Do you think you're part of the Foster family? You're nothing but a stray mutt who doesn't belong in the light. Foster Group will never be yours," Matthew hissed.