The three of them left,ughing and chatting. Sebastian watched Natalie''s


    retreating back, his anger burning like a wildfire. He turned and got back into his car. Closing his eyes, he felt a familiar ache behind them. "Home," he ordered


    coldly.


    Sean turned to look at him. "Sir, Ms. Scott has been calling you repeatedly. She wants you to go over."


    The image of Joanna''s tear-streaked face shed in his mind. The events of the evening, the matriarch''s words... it was all a confusing mess. "Tomorrow, I want you to investigate the cause of Mrs. Spencer Sr.''s fall," he said, his brow tightly furrowed.


    "Yes, sir," Sean replied, thinking to himself that Joanna was really pushing her luck. He said no more and started driving toward the Scott family residence.


    It was only then that Sebastian realized it had been nearly four months, and he had no idea where Natalie was living.


    "And tomorrow," he added, "find out Natalie''s address."


    Sean thought, Four months, and you''re just now asking where she lives? He couldn''t help but say, "Ms. Sanders has it rough. Her family doesn''t care about her. Whenever something goes wrong, it''s her fault. They onlye to her when they need something. No one treats her like a human being. Honestly, she''s better off without them."


    Sebastian''s eyes snapped open. He looked at Sean, wanting to argue, but he knew everything his assistant said was true.


    "She''s cruel,” Sebastian muttered, as if saying it out loud would make it true and ease the knot in his chest.


    Sean fell silent. The truly cruel one was Joanna. But no one would believe him if he said it. Perhaps it was easier to see the truth from the outside.


    Soon, they arrived at the Scott family home. Sebastian walked in to find Joanna sobbing on the sofa. A wave of irritation washed over him. Nathan, however, was relieved to see him. It meant he still cared about Joanna. "Sebastian,e, sit."


    Sebastian walked over, the frustration evident in the harsh set of his jaw. Joanna saw him and felt a surge of joy. He did care about her. He was so much gentler than that other man, but her heart still belonged to the other.


    "Sebastian, you''re here," she said, her voice choked with tears.


    He frowned. "Yes. Stop crying. Marshall didn''t do anything to you in the end, did he?"


    "I know, but... I''m just so hurt. I saved his grandmother too..." Joanna trailed off, her voice filled with grievances.


    Wendy was also distraught.


    Natalie''s words had cut her deeply. Had her daughter really given up on her? Signing the papers had just been @threat; she never thought Natalie would actually leave. And now, knowing she had wronged her again tonight she felt a pang of guilt. But then she remembered Natalie''s attempts to drive a wedge between her and her husband, and the anger returned.


    "Did you need something?" Sebastian asked, his patience wearing thin.


    Nathan looked at him intently. Sebastian was a ruthless man who rarely showed kindness to anyonez but Joanna. It was a good thing he had beenying the groundwork for his ns all these years. He decided to be direct. "Sebastian, you and Joanna are childhood sweethearts. Now that you and Natalie are divorcing, you two should get married as soon as possible."


    Sebastian''s eyes narrowed. "I am not divorced from Natalie yet."


    Nathan was taken aback. He had seen them sign the papers himself. "Sebastian, I''m not trying to pressure you, but you two grew up together. You have a deep bond and a stable foundation. Joanna has given so much for you You''re a perfect match. Marrying sooner rather thanter would put our minds at ease. All parents want to see their children happy."


    At thatst sentence, Sebastian shot to his feet. "Natalie is your daughter too. She


    is my wife. Don''t you want to see her happy?"