"Natalie, you can''t go!" Wendy chased after them, blocking their path again. “Joanna is in a terrible position right now. Please, just ask Mrs. Spencer Sr. to spare her. Her hands... she has a pianopetitioning up. Her hands can''t be ruined."


    The moment she heard "her hands can''t be ruined," a sh of pain crossed Natalie''s eyes. Joanna''s hands can''t be ruined, but mine can?


    "Wendy, in this lifetime, I will never forgive you. You don''t treat me like family, so why should I treat you like family?" Her voice was dangerously calm. "At Joanna''s birthday party, didn''t you see her talking with Lily? They plotted against me, not just once, but countless times. The time she ''fell'' down the stairs, she deliberately waited until Sebastian was there just to watch him hit me."


    "And you," she said, her voice breaking, "you hit me too. There were no cameras in the stairwell, so she could say whatever she wanted. She was the victim, and I deserved to be beaten and cursed by all of you. Wendy, I will never forget the pain and humiliation you put me through."


    A single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek. "Joanna has framed me so many times. From now on, I will pay her back for every single one."


    "Oh, for heaven''s sake, Natty! You went through so much and you never came home?" the old man said, his voice thick with emotion. He squeezed Natalie''s hand tightly. "Come on, you little rascal. From now on, the lives and deaths of these people have nothing to do with you." He pulled her into the elevator.


    Queena shot Wendy a final, cold look. "Ma''am, you will regret losing your real daughter for the rest of your life."


    Wendy stood there, stunned.


    Sebastian''s mind reeled. He remembered the incident on the stairs. He had been impulsive, hitting Natalie in a fit of rage when he saw Joanna lying there, covered in blood. Who wouldn''t have been angry? Natalie had been by his side, yes, but that wasn''t enough to make him love her. If she hadn''te back into their lives, he would have married Joanna. But then he''d had his ident, lost his sight, and Joanna had gone abroad for treatment. He couldn''t me her for that.


    He tried to convince himself of this, but a heavy, unsettling feeling settled in his chest. Joanna kept doing these outrageous things. Could he still trust her? Sebastian''s expression grew darker.


    Wendy stood frozen for a long moment before hardening her resolve. She would trust what she had seen with her own eyes. Natalie was the liar. She turned and went back to save Joanna.


    Inside the ballroom, Joanna was desperately trying to persuade Marshall. "Mr. Spencer, I honestly didn''t know Natalie had already rescued Mrs. Spencer. When I got there, I was truly terrified, bubl did caff for help immediately!"


    Joanna had a good reputation, and some guests spoke up for her. "Mr. Spencer, Ms. Scott has a point. She may not have known about Natalie, but she still tried to help. Just let it go this once."


    Marshall''s face was already swollen and throbbing. "Joanna, you just used me to get to Natalie. Don''t act so noble. Your hands or your feet, you choose."


    A wave of fear washed over Joanna. She gripped the fabric of her dress, her knuckles white. Her n had failed. She was furious, terrified, and her eyes burned with murderous intent.


    "I did not," she insisted, sticking to her story.


    Just then, Sebastian walked back in.


    Joanna''s face lit up with hope.


    Sebastian wouldn''t let anything happen to her. "Sebastian! I didn''t do anything wrong. Please help me I''m scared," she cried, looking as if she might faint.


    Sebastian looked at Marshall, his gaze steely. "Mr. Spencer, Joanna did nothing wrong. If you feel she must be punished, I will give you the partnership. Let her


    go."