Reborn From Oblivion (Nellie and Cameron) novel Chapter 471

Nathan casually increased the space between them, his face calm but distant, with a polite smile that never quite reached his eyes.

"Happy Birthday, Ashley," he said smoothly.

He turned to Dominick, who was standing behind him. "Did you bring the gift I asked you to prepare for Ashley?"

Dominick promptly handed over the gift. "Ashley, my boss isn't exactly a pro at picking out gifts for girls, so I chose this on his behalf. Hope you like it."

Ashley hesitated for a second, slightly irked by Nathan's deliberate aloofness. But she knew that winning over someone as frosty as Nathan would take patience and persistence.

She accepted the gift with a gracious smile. "Thank you, Nathan. I really like it."

Then, she looped her arm through his. "Come on, let me show you inside."

Nathan tensed up, feeling like a wooden puppet. Anxiety flickered across his face. What would Nathalie think if she saw this?

As soon as they were inside, he gently pulled away from Ashley and quickly instructed Ford, "Make sure any photos of me and Ashley holding hands tonight vanish. I can't have Nathalie getting the wrong idea."

Ford chuckled, seeing his boss so jittery for the first time.

Meanwhile, the heads of the Stewart family and Mr. Mason were seated prominently in the center of the hall. Regan waved Nathan over. "Nathan, come have a chat with us old-timers."

Put on the spot, Mason struggled to keep his composure. "Nathan, must you embarrass me like this?"

Nathan replied, "Sometimes strangers treat you better than family. At least they don't stab you in the back."

Mason's expression was thunderous, a storm brewing behind his eyes.

Regan quickly stepped in to calm things down. "Nathan, it's Ashley's birthday. For her sake, let's call a truce with your grandfather."

Nathan decided to let it go, at least for now.