Sebastian finally snapped, hissing in a low, furious voice, "That''s enough, Natalie!"


    Damn, he''s actually barking.


    Natalie took a quick step back, bumping hard into a warm chest.


    "Careful, Natalie!" A deep voice rumbled by her ear, smooth and intoxicating like a fine aged whiskey. A clean, crisp scent enveloped her, making her tense up for a split second.


    She looked up into Matthew''s handsome face, his smiling eyes meeting her own worried ones. “Mr. Monroe, I''m so sorry! Did I hurt you?"


    Matthew''s eyes glinted with amusement as he gazed into her clever, lively ones. "I think I''ll live,” he chuckled. "Though my heart took a bit of a knock. You barged right in and gave it a good kick. It''s quite sore."


    Natalie blinked. Was he... flirting with me? Oh my god! This is Mr. Monroe! Flirting? With me?! That''s a foul, Mr. Monroe! A grant foul!


    Sebastian watched them, his expression thunderous as they held each other, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. A surge of rage ignited within him, his narrow eyes shing with a cold, dangerous light.


    "Remember your ce, Natalie," he warned under his breath.


    Joanna, however, was seething with jealousy. How on earth did Natalie know Matthew Monroe?


    Matthew''s expression hardened instantly. His gaze met Sebastian''s, and in that moment, a silent war was waged and lost a hundred times over.


    "Watch yourself, Mr. Griffith," Matthew said, his tone a clear warning. "Natalie is my date for the evening."


    "Your date?" Sebastian''s head whipped toward Natalie, his eyes zing with an inferno of rage that seemed to rise from the depths of hell itself.


    Natalie just nodded. "Yeah. Got a problem with that?"


    "You''re my..."


    "Your what? Ex-wife? Watch your mouth, Mr. Griffith," Natalie cut him off with a sharp, warning smile. She wasn''t putting up with his nonsense anymore. She had been patient before because she foved him. Now that she didn''t, he was worth less than the dirt on the side of the road.


    Matthew shot Sebastian onest dark look before turning his attention back to Natalie, his voice softening. "Sorry I''mte, Natalie. Something came up and I couldn''t get here to meet you."


    She shook her head, her smile effortless and bright. "It''s fine. I just ran into an old acquaintance and said hello."


    Natalie then looked over at Luna. “Luna, go have some fun. Find something good to eat. We''ll leave at ten on the dot."


    Luna nodded. She wouldn''t stray far; she''d be watching from the shadows to protect her.


    "Come on, Natalie," Matthew said, offering her his arm. "I''ll introduce you to Mr. James."


    "Okay!" she said cheerfully, letting him lead her away.


    The name ''James'' caught


    Sebastian''s attention. He was also here tonight to discuss a partnership with him. The problem was, he only spoke his native tongue, and his trantor had been hospitalized after falling ill from the travel. He''d brought Joanna along because she had spent two years in France and supposedly spoke thenguage. He never expected to run into Natalie here.


    "Joanna, let''s go see what''s happening."


    Joanna smiled sweetly. "Don''t worry, Sebastian. I''ll make sure you get this deal." If she could secure this partnership, Sebastian would have no choice but to marry her. The thought of her happy future brought an irrepressible smile to her lips.


    Nathan didn''t follow them, choosing instead to mingle with his own business contacts. The hall was filled with quests, all chatting andughing amiably over the exquisite spread of food and wine. Natalie, a connoisseur of fine food eyed every, passing tray with a greedy glint in her eye, her "little glutton" expression making Matthew chuckle. He moved through the crowd with easy grace, greeting people as they went.


    in


    Even Sebastian found his gaze drawn to Natalie. She looked like an enchanting


    pixie, and for a moment, he couldn''t look away.


    They entered the main hall, avishly decorated space reserved for the most distinguished guests. There, seated elegantly, was a white-haired French gentleman of about seventy, still a titan in hispany. He was here to negotiate an auto parts deal with Matthew.


    Spotting him, Joanna rushed forward, cutting in front of everyone. "Monsieur James, bonjour,” she said respectfully in what she thought was perfect. "I am Joanna. It is an honor to meet you!"


    James looked up, his sharp blue eyes filled with confusion. He frowned, "What is this gibberish you''re speaking?"