The words hit Natalie like a punch to the gut. Her chest tightened, a sharp, suffocating pain spreading through her. It felt like someone was squeezing her heart.


    She forced a smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at Wendy, using her first name. "Wendy, there is no ''calling it even.'' There is only me winning. Because you were never, ever fair to me."


    "Natalie!" Wendy shouted in frustration. "No matter what, we are still family..."


    "Then what was the point of signing the papers to disown me?" Natalie shot back. Wendy choked on her words. It was true. They had officially cut ties. She looked at Natalie, who stood there exuding a natural, aristocratic grace that reminded Wendy of herself in her youth. But the girl was such a disappointment.


    "Natalie, you''ve truly disappointed me."


    "You never had any expectations for her, so how could she disappoint you?" a cold, aged voice cut in from nearby.


    Wendy spun around to see Queena helping Mr. Sanders Sr. approach them.


    "Oh! Grandpa, I didn''t see you in there. Were you scared?" Natalie''s tone shifted instantly, bing sweet and soft. It was as if she had be a different person.


    Mr. Sanders Sr. cleared his throat. Of course he wasn''t scared. He walked up to Wendy, his sharp eyes pinning her in ce. "The hell you say! When you need her, it''s ''Natalie.'' When you don''t, it''s ''that scumbag.'' You people bully my granddaughter to this extent, and you have the audacity to be disappointed? What a shameless, rotten family."


    Wendy stared at him, shocked. So this was the kind of person who had raised her daughter. No wonder she was so outrageous. Sebastian also sized up Mr. Sanders Sr. He looked like an ordinary old man. This was Natalie''s grandfather? Why had she never mentioned him?


    "Natty, let''s go," the old man said, turning to his granddaughter. "Don''t let this stunning outfit go to waste I''m taking you to meet someone. The other day at the park, I met an old fellow while ying chess. Hi chess. Hiss grandson just turned twenty five, a perfect match for you. He just got back from studying abroad, has his ownpany, and all he''s missing is a wife."


    Natalie was speechless. The plot was taking a sharp turn she didn''t remember from her past life.


    “Grandpa, what are you talking about? Your granddaughter just escaped one toxic rtionship. I''m finally single Why would want to walk right back into the prison of marriage? I''m not going."


    "Are you silly? You''re emotionally avable right now, which makes it easier to ept a new man. And listen, Grandpa has seen a picture.


    He''s andsome and super


    rich you love him. And he doesn''t work out, Grandpa will find you a few more pretty boys to keep on the side."


    Natalie and Queena exchanged a look. Did he really just say that out loud?


    Sebastian, who had been lingering nearby, strode forward, his voice tight. "Sir, Natalie is still legally my wife. She can''t go on a blind date."


    Mr. Sanders Sr. froze, looking at Natalie in rm. “My girl, didn''t you tell me you were divorced?"


    Natalie nodded vigorously. “Grandpa, I swear on everything, they forced me to sign the divorce papers that day. He signed first. We''re divorced. We''re really divorced."


    "Oh, you scared me! If you were still tied to this jerk, I was afraid I''d have to hire someone to get rid of him."


    Sebastian''s jaw clenched.


    Mr. Sanders Sr. clutched his chest dramatically. "Well, as long as you''re free. Come on, let''s go. Just meet him once. He''s seriously handsome. I''m very pleased with him."


    Natalie knew her grandfather had good taste. Maybe it was worth a shot. At that thought, a genuine smile lit up her face. "Okay, Grandpa. Let''s go take a look."