The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Back then, Magnus failed to understand Jamie's intentions. Yet with the passage of time, he realized Jamie was trying to protect him, to prevent him from going head-to-head with his brother, Lucius. Still, he never picked a fight with Lucius. It was Lucius who tried to kill Magnus when he was just sixteen, forcing him to live away from the family feud. Even after he had retreated, Lucius still wanted him dead. After moving to Sapphire Island, Magnus survived multiple assassination attempts organized by Lucius. Magnus' salvation came only when he met Perth. He then spent three years in France to receive treatment for his leg, but in reality, Dr. Frankie had restored sensation to his leg within six months.

He spent the remaining two and a half years training day and night within the organization. He really wanted to heed Jamie's advice, to give up the fight with Lucius for the family business. But he needed powe to survive.

Lucius wanted him dead. How could he not fight back? Now, his own mother was asking him to hand over the position of CEO to Lucius. If he agreed, Lucius would kill him!

Could he really take such a risk? Especially now that he had a woman of his own. He could see a promising future ahead. He had to be powerful, to protect his woman and those he cared for.

"Mother, both Lucius and I are your children. Why is it that only Lucius can be CEO and I cannot? Grandfather himself announced that the position belongs to me. Why would I possibly give it to Lucius?" His eyes held a hint of mockery, but mostly, they reflected his pain.

"Magnus, Lucius has made significant contributions to the Andersen Corporation over the years. He is the rightful candidate for CEO. Your grandfather only chose you because he adores you. You are unfit for this position. You should give it up to Lucius." Lillian couldn't help but reveal her true feelings.

She seemed to be concerned about Magnus' health, wary of the strain the Andersen Corporation could put on him, yet she was scheming to get him to relinquish the position of CEO.

"Give it up? Mother, didn't you hear? Grandfather personally appointed me as the CEO of the Andersen Corporation. It hasn't even been a day and you want me to hand it over to Lucius. If I do that, how would Grandfather view me, the grandson he had such high hopes for?"

His gaze was sharp as he stared at Lillian. "I won't go against Grandfather's wishes. Please forgive me, Mother!"

"You..." Lillian stared at Magnus. She hadn't paid much attention to him over the years, and she was surprised to see that he was no longer the obedient little boy who would always follow her orders. He addressed her as Mother and asked for her forgiveness. He didn't call her Mom which suggested a certain distance he had put between them. He politely declined her request, leaving her helpless despite her favoritism.

"Alright, Magnus. Since your grandfather has entrusted you with this responsibility, you should manage the Andersen Corporation well," Anthony finally spoke up.

"I will, Father." Magnus wheeled away, not even glancing at the other people in the conference room. He left with Linden and Paul, heading straight to the CEO's office. Magnus' appointment as CEO during the shareholders' meeting had caused quite a stir in Melfort.

Unaware of the commotion, Natalia was back on Sapphire Island. That evening, when Linden and Magnus returned, the servants had already prepared dinner. Natalia was waiting on the beach, and from a distance, she saw the car stop. She walked over quickly, pushing the wheelchair.

Magnus opened the car door and saw Natalia's delicate face. The fatigue of the day instantly disappeared. "Were you waiting for me, baby?" Natalia smiled and nodded. "I was waiting for you to come back for dinner. You should've been back by now if you didn't have any engagements." Magnus sat in the wheelchair and held Natalia's hand. "I will be very busy from now on. If you're hungry, go ahead and eat and don't wait for me." Natalia pushed the wheelchair towards the villa, "I'm not hungry. How was your first day at the Andersen Corporation? Did you manage it well?"

"I managed it just fine, Natalia. Don't you know your husband is quite capable? Regardless of the situation, I'm always the strongest," he looked into her deep blue eyes, silently vowing that he would not let anyone harm this girl.

Today, he had considered revealing the real condition of his legs to his grandfather. He thought of revealing this if the shareholders of the Andersen Corporation caused a scene. He would simply stand up and deal with them one by one.

But nothing of that sort happened. He remembered Natalia's words. "Once your legs are better, I will leave."

He didn't want to reveal that his legs were better because he was afraid she would leave. So, unless it was absolutely necessary, he would not let her know.

Back at the villa, Natalia took care of him attentively, serving his dinner and helping him bathe.

Later, Magnus went to the study to work. He casually called Chase, "Get someone to clean up the house at Maplewood Manor. I'm going to move in there in a couple of days."

"You're moving into your own place in Melfort? Didn't Morgan ask you to stay at the old house?" Chase asked, surprised.

"I don't want to stay at the old house. I'll just move to Maplewood Manor."

"Alright, I'll get someone to tidy up right away. Speaking of which, Magnus, are you planning to spend some time with your wife? You're always with her. No wonder you don't want to stay at the Andersen Family Estate."

Chase laughed heartily. As Magnus listened to him, he saw Natalia walking in with a cup of lemon tea.

He hung up the phone and beckoned Natalia, "Come here."

Natalia walked over to him. "Are you going to work late? I've made you some lemon tea. Don't drink coffee at night. Later, when it's time to sleep, I'll massage your legs."

He didn't say a word. Instead, he pulled Natalia onto his lap. "You've been working hard, Natalia. In a few days, we'll move to Melfort. If there's anything you want to do, just let me know." Natalia looked at his gentle face. "Is it because commuting from here to the company every day will be inconvenient? Is that why we're moving to Melfort?"

"Yes, that's right. Once we move there, I'll go to the company during the day. We'll have Mr. Linden there to take care of things. You can go to school," he said, gently stroking her soft hair. "But remember, my dear, you're a married woman now. You must maintain a respectable distance from other men at school, okay?" His eyes were soft and gentle.

His warm hand lightly squeezed her shoulder.

Natalia stared at him, surprised. He was actually letting her go to school!

"Well, if you're that worried, I can just stay home instead. I don't have to go to school," she said. Her words from earlier were just a casual comment, but he took them seriously.

If she really went back to school, she wondered how she would face her friends, like Sabrina. And whether Hector had gone to America. She was actually scared of running into them.

"I promised you that you would go to school," he reassured her. He was anxious about her going to school, not for any other reason but the fact that Lucius didn't become the CEO this time. Magnus believed that his future would be a constant battle with Lucius. He only wanted Natalia to live peacefully, without any danger occurring in places he couldn't see.

Natalia didn't respond. The fact that he convinced Morgan not to blame the Clarkson family was already the greatest reward she could ask for. Even if he didn't let her go to school, she wouldn't blame him.

Magnus held her tiny body in his arms, suddenly feeling a surge of strength. He was determined to provide a happy life for this girl. "You should go to sleep now. I have some business to take care of, then I'll come join you," he gently patted her back.