Queena dragged Sebastian back outside the door. "What do you think you''re doing?" she warned.


    Mr. Sanders Sr. hissed in a low voice, "Sebastian, if you dare interrupt my granddaughter''s date, you''ll have me to answer to. If you want dinner, find another restaurant. I''ve booked this entire ce so she could have some peace and quiet."


    "Can''t you see how happy she is? When she was with you, all she got was usations and abuse. This young man is a fine match, someone I carefully selected. If you go in there, I will expose everything Joanna has done and make sure your childhood sweetheart ends up in jail."


    Sebastian studied the old man. He wore a simple, ssic suit and had sharp, piercing eyes. He looked ordinary, but the way he held his gaze suggested he was anything but.


    "Sir, please do not nder Joanna, or I will have mywyer contact you," Sebastian said, his tone serious and edged with hostility.


    Mr. Sanders Sr. justughed. "I wee it. I''d be surprised if you had the guts. Now get lost. You''re not wee here."


    Sebastian opened his mouth to argue, but Queena pulled him further away.


    "Come on. Don''t let Natty see you. Don''t ruin her mood." All Queena wanted was for Natalie to fall for someone else and find a happy future, something she clearly couldn''t have with Sebastian.


    Sebastian swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. He and Natalie hadn''t finalized the divorce yet. She was still his wife. How dare she go on a date?


    Inside, Natalie was making her pitch. "Mr. Monroe, if you have any business ventures in Yaro, I hope you''ll consider me. I''m a fashion designer, and I''m fluent in fivenguages, so I can also work as a trantor. I heard you''re also in the antiques business-well, I do antique restoration, and I''m also trained in medicine." Seeing a future industry giant in front of her, she wasn''t wasting any time. Getting in his good graces now was the smartest move she could make.


    Matthew watched her, a look of pleasant surprise on his face. Her eyes were bright, and her smile was beautiful. She was, without a doubt, the most stunning woman he had ever met. He took a sip of water topose himself. "Your grandfather told me you were exceptional, but I didn''t realize just how much."


    Natalieughed, a little embarrassed. "Mr. Monroe, could we perhaps not think of this as a date? Consider me a business partner, or a friend."


    "I''m divorced," she stated inly. "I


    know I''m not good enough for you. Right now, all I want to do is focusz I on my career." She


    career" She grinned, her


    eyes twinkling with a


    charming slyness. This man was out of her league. All she wanted was to be rich.


    Matthew was surprised by her frankness but found himself drawn to her. "I don''t mind."


    "Huh?" Natalie was confused. He didn''t mind that she was divorced? Well, she minded that he was so rich!


    "Mr. Monroe, a man as outstanding as you deserves better. Here''s my card," she said, handing it to him. "If any coborative projectse up, please give me a call. Thank you!"


    Matthew smiled and epted the simplevender card, which bore only her name and number. He found her refreshingly direct. "Of course," he said with a graceful nod.


    They continued their meal, the conversation flowing easily. Afterward, Matthew had to leave. having just returned to the country, his schedule was packed. They agreed to meet again the next day.


    Once he was gone, Natalie stepped outside and found her grandfather waiting. She rolled her eyes. Had he been standing guard this whole time?


    Mr. Sanders Sr. was practically vibrating with excitement. "Natty, see? I told you he was a good man!"


    Seeing the proud look on the old man''s face, Natalie couldn''t help but smile. Your taste is impable. We had a great time." And they had the was a future titan of industry after all.


    "So, do you like Matthew?" her grandfather pressed.