Nathalie Quinlan stood with her long, straight legs, her posture casual and nonchalant. She withdrew her line of sight and, without much opinion, simply said, "No need. I can go back myself."
"How could that..."
Stanley’s remark was cut off before he could finish.
Nathalie concisely and naturally added, "I didn’t stay at the Zachmann Family ho."
Before Nathalie ca to Beijing from McKinney, Stanley Zachmann had gone with his team to the Illegal Zone for a research exchange conference and was completely unaware of the situation.
Hearing out of nowhere that Nathalie had arrived in Beijing but didn’t stay at ho, he froze on the spot, stunned: "You didn’t stay at ho, then where are you staying? A hotel?"
When he said the word "hotel," his eyebrows clearly knit together. Although he had already tried to restrain himself in front of Nathalie, his expression still revealed dissatisfaction and shock.
What is the family thinking?
Nathalie ca to Beijing for school, and she’s staying at a hotel?
Since the day his daughter went missing, Stanley Zachmann had been engrossed in his research, to the point that he often didn’t even return ho.
He had a small one-bedroom apartnt near the laboratory where he worked as a school-affiliated accommodation. Whenever he worked late, he would sleep directly at this small apartnt, living a frugal and simple life. He was extrely busy, but through this routine, he largely alleviated the pain of losing his daughter...
He could endure a hard and modest lifestyle himself, and he didn’t care for material things. But he absolutely would not allow Nathalie to be treated with disrespect!
Audrick Zachmann, who was right beside him, clearly sensed Stanley was upset and hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Nathalie isn’t staying at a hotel."
When Stanley dealt with others besides Nathalie, he was still sharp, thodical, and commanding a strong sense of authority. With his hand resting at his side, he clearly wasn’t soone easy to fool: "If she’s not staying at a hotel and not staying at ho, then where is she staying?"
Nathalie noticed his rising anger, as if ready to step in and fight for her, and with her gaze lowered, she suppressed the trace of warmth hiding in her eyes. To ease Audrick’s awkward situation, she said, "I’m staying at an apartnt."
"An apartnt?" Stanley still didn’t feel at ease. However, facing Nathalie, he didn’t maintain the strict approach he had with Audrick. His intense aura softened instantly, and he asked with concern, "Are you staying there alone? Why would you live in an apartnt instead of at ho? You’re living out there alone with no one to look after you. There are so many people back ho, and they could take care of you. I..."
"I’m not used to being around too many people," Nathalie replied, hands tucked into her pockets, her body slightly turned. Her relaxed stance sohow exuded a touch of rebellious edge. She explained to Stanley, "I prefer living alone. Grandpa knows that too."
"Dad knows too?" Stanley went silent at her words.
Although his brows furrowed slightly, he still didn’t fully agree with Nathalie living alone outside, but for the mont, he couldn’t figure out what Mr. Zachmann’s intentions were.
He hesitated for a mont, seemingly relented, and then looked up at Nathalie again. In a gentle tone, he asked, "Where’s the apartnt you’re staying at? I’ll take you there and have a look."
In his heart, this was Nathalie’s first ti coming to Beijing, unfamiliar with the area, where both living costs and housing prices were high. Since he had been abroad before, no one had helped her arrange her accommodations for school.
While he trusted his father’s regard for his granddaughter, Mr. Zachmann’s health wasn’t great. He needed to stay long-term at the nursing ho and couldn’t leave.
Audrick, on the other hand, had an easygoing and carefree personality...
Stanley couldn’t help worrying that Nathalie might suffer any grievance in terms of her living conditions. He firmly decided that he must accompany her to see the apartnt. If the environnt turned out to be too poor, he would imdiately find a better place for her!
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