Natalie was frustrated that Sebastian hadn''t finalized the divorce. The man was infuriating. He was the one who wanted the divorce, yet he was dragging his feet on the final paperwork.


    "There is one thing that''s bothering me," she admitted. "Sebastian and I both signed the divorce agreement, but he hasn''tpleted the final legal steps. So, legally, I''m still his wife."


    Queena was furious. "You can sue for divorce," she suggested. "He was the one who cheated first. Plus, the fact that he hid your marriage from everyone ispletely out of line. What, are you some dirty secret he has to hide? A man who won''t even publicly acknowledge his own wife... what are you keeping him around for?" Queena''s cheeks puffed out in anger, making her look adorable.


    Seeing her cute expression, Natalie''s mood lightened. "Don''t worry, he''ll finalize it. He and Joanna are childhood sweethearts. He won''t let her bebeled a homewrecker. If I can''t force the divorce, Joanna has plenty of ways to make him do it."


    Having reasoned it out, Natalie felt the knot in her stomach loosen. She focused on her breakfast, finishing her steak and another five ravioli.


    Feeling full and satisfied, the two of them took a stroll in the garden before heading inside to get ready for their trip to the hot springs. Just as they were about to leave, Natalie received another call from Wendy. After multiple calls, she decided she might as well see what Wendy wanted.


    "Queena, Mrs. Scott wants to see me. I''ll be right back. After I meet with her, we can head straight to the resort."


    Queena looked at her, confused. "Who is Mrs. Scott?"


    "My biological mother," Natalie exined, her voice tinged with bitterness.


    A fire ignited in Queena''s eyes. "What does she want now? After everything they''ve put you through they still won''t leave you alone?" She had met Wendy once before, when she hade begging Natalie for something on Joanna''s behalf. The woman didn''t deserve to be a mother. "I''m going with you." Queena went upstairs to change.


    They drove to the meeting ce, a private club owned by Sebastian. Queena


    waited in the car while Natalie went inside.


    When she entered the private room, Wendy was already there. Natalie sat down across from her. Wendy was as always, impably dressed. A great beauty in her youth, the mother and daughter sitting together now looked more like sisters.


    Seeing that Natalie seemed to be doing well, dressed in beautiful clothes, Wendy felt a strange sense of relief. She broke the silence. "Where have you been living all this time? Have you found a job?”


    "Mrs. Scott," Natalie said coolly, "where I live and whether I have a job is none of your concern. I won''t be asking you for a single penny, so you don''t have to worry."


    Faced with the same icy demeanor, the anger Wendy had been suppressing red up again. "Natalie, must you be so cold to me? I''m your mother."


    Natalie''s brow furrowed at the impatience in Wendy''s eyes, and her own voice grew colder. "If you only asked me here to discuss these trivial matters, then I''ll be leaving."


    "You truly are an ungrateful brat!" Wendy snapped.


    A dangerous glint appeared in Natalie''s eyes. "Wendy, did you raise me for a single day? When I returned to the Scott family, I wore Joanna''s hand-me-downs. You bought her clothes worth tens of thousands, while I wore her cast-offs. I didn''t take a single one of them with me when left. Fell me how much do you think I cost you in the year I lived in your house? Calcte it, and I''ll transfer you the money."