Just as Wendy''s thoughts were spiraling, Sebastian pushed the door open. His tall frame filled the doorway, exuding an intimidating presence. He was surprised to see Wendy there and greeted her before taking a seat next to Natalie.


    Natalie unlocked her phone and yed a recording, fast-forwarding to the part she wanted him to hear.


    "You say I don''t deserve to be a mother? Do you deserve to be a daughter? Why do you have to be involved in everything? Last night, you stole Joanna''s credit!"


    Sebastian''s brow furrowed. What credit?


    Natalie turned to him, her eyes devoid of warmth. "Mr. Griffith, please exin. Did I steal Joanna''s creditst night?"


    Sebastian looked at Wendy. "What is this about? Why would you say Natalie stole Joanna''s credit?"


    Wendy told him what she knew. "Joanna came homest night and said Natalie showed up at the g and took credit for her trantion work. She said it was lucky the deal went through, or it would have caused you a great deal of trouble." Sebastian understood immediately. Joanna had lied.


    Seeing him hesitate, Natalie let out a coldugh. "Sebastian, please, just tell the truth."


    Sebastian looked at her icy, distant expression. He thought of her going on a date, smiling so brightly at Matthew, while treating him with such coldness. A malicious smile touched his lips. "Natalie, you did steal Joanna''s creditst night. Joanna wasn''t wrong."


    A shudder ran through Natalie''s body. A deep, physical pain seized her. She knew he would never stand up for her, yet she had called him here anyway, just to humiliate herself once more.


    Sebastian saw the raw pain in her eyes, and his expression faltered.


    Wendy, however, was even more incensed. She picked up her cup of coffee and threw the contents in Natalie''s face. "You liar! Can''t you tell the truth for once in your life? You lie and then you have the audacity to calf Sebastian here to back you up?"


    Sebastian''s eyes shed with anger as he turned on Wendy. "What do you think you''re doing?"


    "Stay out of this, Sebastian!" Wendy shrieked, consumed by rage. "I''m teaching this liar a lesson! It''s a good thing I never publicly acknowledged her as my daughter. She is despicable, and she will never change!"


    Tears finally streamed down Natalie''s face. With a trembling hand, she yed thest part of the recording.


    "She and Sebastian grew up


    together. You two have no feelings for each other. You''re divorced, so why do you keep showing up and harassing Sebastian? Do you enjoy fighting with Joanna over


    everything? Why must you always take what''s hers?"


    Natalie looked at Sebastian, her heart shattering. She tried to speak, but her lips trembled and no words came out. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally managed to whisper, her voice shaking "Mr. Griffith, I was not harassing yourst night. And I never want to hear those words again. Please, finalize our divorce."


    She slowly rose to her feet, her body trembling with a pain so profound it was almost unbearable.


    Sebastian saw the tears welling in her eyes, saw the immense grief that enveloped her. His fists clenched at his sides. "Natalie, I..."


    But Natalie was already walking away, giving him no chance to speak.


    Sebastian shot up from his seat and ran after her. "Natalie, wait!" He caught up to her in the hallway. "Just now..." He met her gaze, which was as sharp and cold as ice, and the words died in his throat.


    "Sebastian, you are Joanna''s loyal dog. I truly don''t understand. I gave her the space she wanted. Why won''t you people just leave me alone?"