Knowing My Ex-Wife After The Divorce Novel by Yetta Horace

Natalie felt completely indifferent, almost wanting to yawn.

“I really appreciate you saving Tobias’s and my child. There’s an exclusive ladies’ gathering tomorrow. You should definitely come! A famous piano master will be there, and it’ll be a great chance for you to see what the high life is like,” Elle said, her voice sweet but heavy with condescension.

Natalie really wanted to say that without Tobias, Elle wouldn’t be anything special. But the reality was, Tobias really belonged to Elle.

“That sounds fine. I’ll be there,” Natalie replied, setting her phone dow As it turned out, she had already planned to go to that gathering. ‘Elle’s tone was less brash than usual. She must be with others, trying to maintain some sort of reputation. But why should I care? Just let them play their little games,’ she thought.

Meanwhile, Elle’s eyes flickered with a cold spark before disappearing just as quickly. She turned to the man beside her and said softly, “Don’t worry. Natalie will definitely show up.”

“Ha! That little brat, just wait until I…” Howard started, but he trailed off when he noticed the beautiful woman beside him. He quickly swallowed his words, forcing a smile instead. “I’ll talk to her nicely. Thanks for your help, Elle.”

“No problem. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way,” Elle said with a polite smile, picking up her purse and walking away with grace.

Howard smirked as he watched the girl walk away, then spat on the ground in disgust. “Does she really think she’s special? If she hadn’t stepped in for Natalie back then and pretended to have saved Tobias, she’d be six feet under by now.”

The gathering was happening at Merrion Mansion downtown, and Natalie arrived by taxi that afternoon.

Maddie was also on the guest list. After arriving, she found a cozy corner to snack on some food. When she spotted Natalie, her face lit up with joy. She jumped out of her seat and waved, rushing over. “Natalie! There you are! I’ve been waiting for you!” Maddie exclaimed.

Natalie smiled back, noticing that Maddie had been sitting alone while everyone else mingled in small groups, laughing and chatting.

“Honestly, Maddie, for someone from the Carter family, she really doesn’t know how to socialize,” one girl said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Right. She still thinks she’s some kind of big deal. I said hi to her earlier, and she totally

igrid y 1ite, schne die think the to another chirnert in

Lock in who she talking to wit that leximate daughter from the Guzman family. Maddie’s amants are really slipping” a third girl commented

“Seriously, stay away from them. You don’t want to get dragged down to their level.”

The girls clearly didn’t hold back, and Natalie frowned at their comments. Maddie grabbed Natalie’s arm and shrugged it off. ‘Don’t pay any attention to them. They’re not worth your time.”

Karen, who was among the girls talking, caught wind of this and laughed. “Oh, please. Your family doesn’t have that kind of power over us!”

Maddie shot back with a grin, “Sure, you guys are untouchable, but at le I haven’t been called out by Malcolm.”

Natalie almost laughed out loud. Yesterday’s events were clearly a sore spot for Karen, and that jab made her face turn an awkward shade of green.

Maddie stood tall, pulling Natalie aside for a moment. “You know, the gossip about yesterday is making the rounds. Malcolm represents the entire Sullivan family. Plus, it’s the first time anyone has heard him say he didn’t want to see someone. I thought Karen would lay low after that, but look at her. She’s just walking into trouble,” Maddie whispered.

Natalie still didn’t quite understand all the drama of their elite circle. “So, Malcolm’s opinion carries that much weight?”

“Absolutely! He’s got more influence than Tobias, especially since the Sullivan family is pretty much untouchable in the political scene,” Maddie explained.

Natalie nodded, a bit shocked by that revelation.

Karen noticed everyone around her suddenly backing away, clearly afraid of getting on the Sullivan family’s bad side. Just then, Elle walked in.

“Elle…” Karen called out, hurrying over to link arms with her.

Elle’s expression changed slightly, and then she smoothly sidestepped, avoiding Karen’s grasp and instead wrapping her arm around another girl’s. “Karen, the teacher is almost here. Let’s start practicing the piano. You can go first.”

Karen’s attention shifted instantly, and she didn’t notice anything off. Nodding eagerly, she said, “Alright, I’ll play! Elle, listen and see if I’ve improved.”

Elle smiled sweetly. “Of course!”

The other ladies quickly gathered around Elle, each pulling out their own sheet music and starting to play. They had a name list for that. Elle shot a knowing glance at Natalie.

In their social circle, playing the piano was basically a must, and everyone here had to be good at it. No one wanted to fall behind.

Maddie leaned in and whispered to Natalic, “The international piano master is coming soon. I really hope he can give me some tips.”

Natalie smiled, knowing that Maddie had loved the piano since she was a child, and she played it remarkably well. “He will definitely give you some good advice,” Natalie said seriously.

Suddenly, Maddie burst out laughing. “Natalie, you look adorable when you’re being so serious like that.”

Natalie let out a small sigh. She was just saying what she felt.

“Wait, is someone missing from the list? It looks like there’s one more person who hasn’t played yet,” Elle said as she flipped through the names.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Karen leaned in to look closer. “There are twenty-seven ladies here… but only twenty-six names on this list. Who’s the missing one?”

Elle scanned the crowd, her eyes darting around. Then she exclaimed, “It’s Natalie.”

“Seriously? She’s not on the list. How did she even get in?” Karen squinted, a hint of suspicion in her voice. “She didn’t sneak in, did she? We made it clear that only people who can play the piano are allowed. If you can’t play, you need to leave.”

Maddie heard this and was ready to stand up for Natalie, but Natalie grabbed her and shook her head.

“But they…” Maddie started to protest.

“Looks like we’ve got a gatecrasher here. Server, please escort her out,” a stuck-up girl chimed in, eager to kick Natalie out.

Elle’s eyes sparkled with a deeper meaning as she stepped in just in time. “Natalie is someone I invited. Sure, she’s just an illegitimate daughter, but she’s still a lady from a prestigious family. Let’s give her a chance, please, for my sake.”

“Of course we respect Ms. Lightman’s wishes,” another lady chimed in. “But does she even know how to play the piano?”

Karen rolled her eyes dismissively, her arms around her chest. “Everyone knows the Guzman family’s illegitimate daughter is just a waste of space. She’s living off their money like a parasite.”

Elle couldn’t help but smile, knowing full well that Natalie couldn’t play the piano. That was exactly why she had set up this little trap today to make Natalie look foolish. And there was an even bigger “surprise” waiting for Natalie later.

“Come on, you’re taking this too far. When did we say everyone had to play? Can’t Natalie just come to listen?” Maddie said, sticking by her friend.

“This isn’t just any gathering. If you can’t play the piano, then you should leave. If it weren’t for your skills, you wouldn’t even be allowed in here,” Karen shot back, feeling more confident.

“You’re being ridiculous!” Maddie fumed, pulling Natalie closer. “Let’s just go, Natalie. Who needs to deal with them?”

“No, we can’t leave,” Natalie said, holding Maddie back. If they walked out now, Maddie would miss her chance to shine at an event like this forever.