"And then you added that yesterday it was Marshall, and today it''s some new stranger. I bet that''s exactly what you told him, and you even sent him a photo to prove it. I saw you take it, by the way."


    "Joanna, you use the same petty tricks every single time, and somehow, certain idiots always fall for it."


    Sebastian''s expression darkened. The idiot she was referring to... was that him? He didn''t have to guess; he knew it was. And he had, in fact, believed the photo Joanna sent him.


    Joanna stared at Natalie in shock. She had really changed. She wasn''t afraid of anything anymore. Before, she had been so careful around Sebastian, always worried about upsetting him. The Natalie now waspletely unrestrained, as if she truly didn''t want Sebastian anymore.


    "Well, it is the truth, isn''t it?" Joanna retorted, unafraid of offending anyone. Sebastian would always protect her. And if he didn''t, her parents and four brothers would. She had nothing to fear. "You''re meeting with two men. Are you nning a threesome?"


    Natalie''s eyes turned cold.


    Matthew''s long, narrow eyes grew even colder, his every move exuding a regal authority. "Ms. Scott, I suggest you clean up yournguage. Only someone with a filthy mind could say such filthy things. We are here to discuss a business coboration."


    Joanna found itughable that Matthew was defending Natalie. What kind of charm did Natalie possess? Joanna had always made it her mission to crush Natalie, to grind her into the mud so she could never get back up.


    "Mr. Monroe, she''s just a country bumpkin. She can''t even read a contract. How could she possibly be signing a deal with you?"


    "Natalie, I know you''re desperate to make a name for yourself, to achieve something so your family and Sebastian will finally notice you. But ying hard to get can only work for so long..."


    "Shut up!" Matthew cut her off


    sharply. "What do you mean, ''ying hard to get''? Natalie is brilliant. You on the other hand, seducing a married man—now that''s truly an eye opener."


    Joanna was speechless. It was all Sebastian''s fault. Why did he have to marry Natalie? And she couldn''t afford to offend Matthew either.


    She turned to Sebastian, her face a


    mask of sorrow. "Sebastian, are you just going to stand there and let them bully me? Natalie fas mad such ascene. Why won''t you just divorce her? Do you want me to bebeled a homewrecker?"


    Sebastian looked at Natalie. Her eyes were clear and cold. She no longer reacted with anger and jealousy when he defended Joanna.


    Julian''s words suddenly echoed in his mind. “Sebastian, no one will wait for you forever. Even the deepest love can be worn away by your indifference, piece by piece."


    His heart clenched. The girl whose world once revolved entirely around him... she really didn''t love him anymore.


    A wry smile touched his lips. "Natalie, this hard-to-get act..."


    "There is no act," Natalie interrupted, her voice calm and even. “Sebastian, this time, I''m not ying games. I''m genuinely tired, I don''t want to continue this. I just want you and Joanna to be happy together So, if you''re willing, let''s go file for divorce right now. Shall we?"