Erica, however, was completely unaware of who she was dealing with.
She had been convinced Tyler was finished. Just another loser who'd end up sleeping under a bridge or digging for scraps in the dirt.
And now, this breathtaking and rich-looking woman was standing protectively beside him, demanding respect.
Rage and jealousy exploded in her chest, clouding any sense of reason. She shrieked, her voice shrill and venomous.
"You bitch! How dare you slap Trent?! Are you tired of living?! Do you even know who he is?!"
SMACK!
Another slap landed, this time not from Natalie, but from Trent himself.
Erica stumbled back, her cheek blazing red in shock and humiliation. Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at Trent, disbelieving.
Trent, on the other hand, was trembling like a leaf. Even he as the arrogant, spoiled, and well-connected guy, knew better than to cross the Anderson family.
"Shut your damn mouth!" Trent growled at Erica. "Say one more word, and this wedding's off. I'm serious!"
Then he spun around and bowed deeply to Natalie.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Anderson. I had no idea this man was with you. He's a scumbag. He must've tricked you. Please, don't let him fool you!"
Erica clutched her face, her eyes now wide with disbelief and growing panic. She had been slapped, humiliated, and now her Trent, was bowing and apologizing to another woman? And not just any woman. One who stood next to the man she had tossed aside?
Who was she?
And why was she treating Tyler like someone important?
Natalie gave Tyler a glance, not with affection, but more like annoyance. Frankly, she didn't think much of him either. But this whole scene had been handed down from her father, and orders were orders.
Besides, after being called a hooker by these two brainless fools, she had no intention of letting Trent off the hook easily.
"That's none of your business," Natalie said coldly, her voice sharp as a blade.
"Offending him is the same as offending my father. And if you dare say one more word, I swear I'll rip out your tongue and sew your damn mouth shut. You know I can do it."
With that, she cast a brief glance at Tyler, subtly motioning for him to follow.
Tyler shot Trent a final, deadly glare. The arrogant groom, who just moments ago was laughing like a clown, now shrank back like a scared rat.
"We're not done," Tyler muttered darkly, before turning to follow Natalie toward the sleek black luxury car waiting at the curb.
Once inside, as the doors sealed with a soft click, Tyler turned to her.
"How did you even find me?"
Natalie gave him a sideways glance, almost as if the question offended her intelligence.
"Finding you wasn't hard. The Anderson family can do anything."
She scoffed softly before continuing, "And don't get any ideas. I couldn't care less about you or those two idiots back there. I'm only here because my father insisted I give you this."
She reached into her purse and handed him a slim, rectangular card, her tone dripping with reluctance.
"It's a free pass to all Anderson properties. He specifically told me I had to give it to you in person. His condition is stable now, so I assume… you really did something."
There was a pause. She hated admitting it, but her words left no doubt. Tyler had done something her family hadn't been able to.
"He's staying at Hotel Marian—our family's place downtown. He wants you to visit him."
Tyler took the card and flipped it over: VIP ACCESS TO ALL ANDERSON PROPERTIES AND EVENTS.
He raised an eyebrow. A bribe? Or a challenge? Did the old man really think this would be enough to buy him?
Just then, his phone buzzed.
He answered without checking the caller number. "Who is it? I'm busy."
"Tyler, it's me, Britta. I've got something on your father's company. Meet me at GlobeMall. Come quick."
The call ended. Tyler looked over at Natalie and gave a nonchalant shrug.
"Looks like I've got somewhere else to be."