Wayne''s mouth twitched. "You''re a woman. How are you going to ''rise''?"


    Natalie froze, her face flushing crimson. What was he thinking? Did he mean what she thought he meant? "What are you thinking? It''s not what you think! Just take me to my room."


    Wayneplied, carrying her to the elevator.


    "Why aren''t we taking the stairs?" she asked. "Carrying me up would be good exercise for you."


    Wayne looked like he wanted to throttle her. "You think you''re light as a feather? You think I''m not breaking a sweat carrying you?" She had some weight to her, alright. And besides, his body was a work of art. Women practically threw themselves at him. He didn''t need to lose weight.


    Natalie smiled, a genuine, happy smile. She had a family that loved her. Why had she ever craved the affection of those four idiots? Her Wayne adored her. In her past life, she had been so foolish, so convinced that her biological family woulde to love her. But the one thing she craved most was worthless in their eyes. She had tried so hard, only to be rewarded with a one-way ticket to hell for herself, her baby, her grandfather, and her dear friend.


    It had been three months since she left, and there had been no news from the Scott family. Mrs. Scott probably hadn''t found anything out. In her past life, Mrs. Scott had gone to her grave without ever knowing the truth. This time would likely be no different.


    "Do you believe that I was the one who saved Mrs. Spencer Sr.?"


    Wayne was silent for a moment. "What? You saved her?" His expression darkened. That Joanna was a piece of work, brazen enough to steal credit for saving someone''s life.


    "Yes. But Joanna took the credit. Is it going to be difficult for you to partner with the Spencer family now?"


    Business was tough these days. The Sanders Group was a powerhouse, butpetition was fierce.


    Marshall, that sly fox, was a wolf in sheep''s clothing. He looked like a yboy, but in the business world, he was ruthless. She had heard of him and even seen him inter past life, but getting a meeting with him was nearly impossible. He was a business prodigy on par with Sebastian. And now, she had made him their enemy. This was a headache.


    Wayne scoffed. "It''s not like we have to work with the Spencers. The world is a big ce. There are plenty of other people to work with. And besides, you never know what might


    happen. Maybe the


    Maybe the Spencers will


    have a run of bad fuck and go


    bankrupt tomorrow."


    Natalie thought Wayne was dreaming. She would have to find another way. There was always a solution.


    As they reached her room, Wayne put her down on the bed and ruffled her hair gently. "Don''t overthink it, silly girl. Get some sleep. We don''t need a partnership with the Spencers."


    Natalie nodded. "Okay. I won''t overthink it. I''ll just think about how many handsome men I want."


    Wayne stared at her, then bolted from the room like a startled rabbit.


    Natalie was left speechless. She was just joking.


    She sprawled out on the massive bed, all decorum forgotten, and stared up at the crystal chandelier trying to figure out her next move f moverif she wasn''t careful, Joanna Would find out she was the one who had really saved Mrs. Spencer Sr. and turn it around on her. That woman was a master of maniption.


    She knew Marshall would investigate the incident, which meant he would check the security footage. The cunning Joanna would have surely destroyed it by now.


    Natalie sat up abruptly. She had told Luna to take care of it, but had she acted in time? She fumbled for her phone on the nightstand. Just as she was about to dial, a call came in. It was Sebastian.


    What a jinx, she thought, rolling her eyes. She answered the phone, only to be met with Sebastian''s furious roar. "Natalie, why did you try to harm Mrs. Spencer Sr.?"