A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Cora sent Natalie back to her parents’ house. Once inside, Natalie stormed to her room and locked the door. Cora no longer knew how to deal with Natalie’s rebellious streak.

Helen and Bernard sat in the study, reeling from the news. 1

Helen asked, “Cora, you and Frank have always been close. Did something really happen between the two of you?”

Cora replied, “He’s just my business partner and a close friend. The idea of anything else is ridiculous. Dad, Mom, you need to watch over Nat. She’s becoming impossible to handle.”

“If Cora says it didn’t happen, then it didn’t. We trust you. As for Nat, she clearly overstepped her boundaries. She needs to be taught a lesson. If this gets out, people will start saying the Lowell family lacks discipline. Oh, yes. Who told Nat about Frank?” Bernard scowled as he tried to trace the root of the problem.

“It’s all Joseph’s fault. He showed Nat those DNA results, and she fell for it. Nat is going through a rebellious phase and was displeased with his strict parenting. She saw that DNA report and believed it. She knows Frank and I are close, so she confronted him and caused this humiliating scene,” Cora explained. 1

“That ungrateful brat again?” Bernard hissed. However, his take on the DNA report differed from Cora’s.

Helen added, “Tell that ungrateful brat to come over and explain to Nat.”

“We can’t let Joseph anywhere near Nat. Who knows what bad advice he would give her?” Cora left after instructing Helen and Bernard to keep an eye on Natalie.

“Grandma, you’re so smart. You know I’m not Joseph’s daughter. Look, Grandpa, just don’t tell Mom about this, and stop trying to lock me up. I’m going to see Frank tomorrow. I’ll find a way to convince him to acknowledge me.”

Natalie managed to persuade Helen and Bernard, who helped to cover for her. When Cora called later that evening, they told her that Natalie was well-behaved and had realized the error of her ways. They assured Cora not to worry and promised to drop Natalie off at school in the morning.

Cora, who didn’t suspect Helen and Bernard, felt relieved.

Joseph didn’t bring up the matter that evening, so Cora stayed silent as well. Since his phone was off, she assumed Natalie wouldn’t be able to reach him to plot any further moves.

However, Cora never expected that Natalie would march straight into Frank’s office the next day. She showed the DNA report to the senior management of Meridian Group, leaving Frank humiliated.