"Natalie, can you just listen to me for a second? Joanna didn''t do it on purpose..."


    "Cut the crap! It''s never her fault, is it? It''s always mine. I don''t care what happens to Joanna. If you want to protect her, that''s your business. Why are you bothering me?" Natalie''s voice wasced with a venomous calm. The memory of how he had ruthlessly pushed her aside in her past life was so vivid she could almost taste the desire to kill him.


    She took a deep breath, forcing her voice to remain steady. "I almost forgot. Even with the truth staring you in the face, you''d never believe it. To you, everything Joanna does is perfect. You believe every word she says. So go on, keep believing her. It''s the least you can do to honor your precious devotion."


    With that, she turned and walked away.


    Sebastian stood frozen, watching her cold, retreating back. The way she had spoken those words, with that dismissive smile, sent a sharp, stabbing pain through his chest. He had just wanted to say, Natalie, I was wrong about you this time. But it was clear she wasn''t listening. When Marshall had pped her, he, as her husband, should have protected her. But clouded by the so-called evidence, he had done nothing. He never imagined it truly wasn''t her.


    Not far away, her grandfather and Queena were apuding the scene.


    Mr. Sanders Sr.''s eyes welled up with emotional tears. “Queena," he said, his voice trembling, "my Natty has finally grown up. She''s not lovesick anymore. She finally sees that scumbag for who he is."


    Queena hadn''t heard him use that nickname in a long time. The old man truly adored Natalie. “Grandpa, as long as Natty keeps a clear head, everything will be fine. Don''t you worry. You''ll live a long and healthy life."


    Mr. Sanders Sr. beamed like a child. "Your words are afort, my dear. I n to stick around for a while. I want to see our Natty get married and have children. I want to be a great-grandfather, you know."


    Queena''s heart ached seeing the tears in his eyes. "Don''t cry, Grandpa. Let''s go find Natty."


    "Who''s crying he grumbled, wiping his eyes. "These are tears of joy." The old man wouldn''t admit it, but he was bursting with pride. His granddaughter had been


    everything he had raised her to be.


    magnificent tonight. She was y e


    Just as Natalie reached the elevator, Wendy called out to her. "Natalie.”


    Sebastian, who had been about to turn back, stopped in his tracks.


    Wendy rushed toward Natalie, her voice filled with desperation. "Natalie, you have to help Joanna. Mr. Spencer is going to break her hands."


    Natalie was slightly surprised. In her past life, Marshall had been one of Joanna''s biggest supporters, constantly helping her torment Natalie. The desire to break his hands tonight had been, in part, revenge for that past life.


    She let out a coldugh. “A moment ago, when Marshall was threatening to break my hands and make me kneel, did any of you plead for me? No. You all just stood by and watched, probably enjoying the show. Joanna made her bed, so why are youing to me? Wendy, how dare you even ask me such a thing?"


    Wendy was taken aback. It was true. A moment ago, she too had thought Natalie deserved it. “Natalie, I didn''t know the truth then. I thought you really had pushed Mrs. Spencer Sr...."


    "And what if you had known? Would


    you have saved me? Would you have believed me for once? No. You will always believe Joanna. I never once framed her, but you neve bothered to investigate. You took her word as gospel and then ganged up on me, insulting and humiliating me we have nothing to do with each other now I signed the papers I severing our ties, and I signed the divorce agreement. Have I bothered you once in thest three months?"


    Wendy was at a loss for words, but she couldn''t bear to see Joanna get hurt. "Natalie," she pleaded, "if you help Joanna this once, we''ll call it even. Everything will be settled. Please?"