After his outburst, Keith feigned an apologetic look. "My apologies. I shouldn''t havepared you to someone like her. It lowers your standards."


    Natalie just shook her head with a smile. "It''s fine. Some people just love to unt their sense of superiority."


    Yvonne was furious, embarrassed to be called out by such a handsome man. He looked well-dressed and was probably wealthy.


    "What are you, a professional liar? Her outfit is worth a hundred thousand? Natalie, how can you be so shameless? How can you put on such an act?"


    Natalie nced at the time. She didn''t want to waste any more of it on them. "Yvonne, the world has a way of humbling people. You shouldn''t live so arrogantly."


    She turned to Keith. "Let''s go."


    After they left, Joanna immediately sent the photos she had just taken to Sebastian.


    [Sebastian, look who I ran into. It''s Natalie, out to eat with another man. She''ll do anything for money, won''t she? What a promiscuous woman.]


    Sebastian was in his office when he received Joanna''s text and photos. His face darkened instantly. He recognized the restaurant. Closing hisptop, he called for Sean and headed out.


    He had warned Natalie. She was testing his limits.


    Joanna knew Sebastian woulde, so she and Yvonne waited by the entrance. They had been friends since childhood and shared more than a few secrets. While waiting, Joanna found out which private room Natalie was in.


    As expected, Sebastian didn''t disappoint her. He arrived in twenty minutes, his tall frame striding through the door as if carrying a winter storm with him. He looked utterly cial, his handsome face devoid of any warmth.


    Joanna rushed over, feigning concern. "Sebastian, you''re here. I was just so worried about Natalie that I had to text you. I found out she''s in private room 302.”


    Sebastian didn''t say a word, his lips pressed into a thin line as he and Sean headed upstairs.


    Joanna and Yvonne exchanged a triumphant nce and followed them up to watch the show.


    Inside the room, Matthew was looking over the proposal Natalie had given him. He was clearly interested. She was offering to use hispany''s streamers. sand even giving him an extra percentage point-a win-win strategy. Matthew agreed to sign on the spot.


    "Natalie," he said with genuine admiration, "if you had told me sooner you were a designer, I wouldn''t have sat down with Mr. Jones today to discuss this coboration."


    Natalie smiled. "I seem to recall telling you the first time we met." Whether he believed her or not was his problem; she had definitely said it.


    Matthew looked at her intently. She was truly brilliant, her smiling face radiating an innocent charm. My apologies. I''ve been so busy since returning to the country, it must have slipped my mind."


    Keith gave a refined smile. "Mr. Monroe, you can''t go poaching may talent Natalie is our top designer. With her on board, you won''t have to worry about the creative side. She has an endless well of inspiration."


    Natalie shot Keith a look. She really liked the way he talked her up.


    Matthew turned to thest page of the contract. "Don''t worry, I''m not Sebastian. I wouldn''t go to yourpany and try to steal your employees. He really went to extremes to force Natalie out."


    Sebastian, who had just reached the door, overheard this. His eyes darkened instantly. He didn''t force Natalie out; he just wanted her toe home. That bastard Matthew was talking behind his back.


    His face a thunderous mask, he threw the door open and stormed in.