Nathan was stunned. Tighten their belts? Had the Don familypany really fallen that far?


    He shot up in bed, his face etched with disbelief. "Darling, don''t scare me like that."


    Even if thepany did go under, the Don family''s massive real estate portfolio would still leave him with a hefty fortune.


    Wendy looked at him, her brow furrowed at his anxious expression. A strange smile yed on her lips. You won''t be getting another penny from me. "Why would I scare you? You can see thepany''s financials for yourself. How about this: why don''t you invite Sebastian over for dinner tomorrow night? It''s time to finalize Joanna''s marriage to him."


    This was her real objective. If Natalie wanted a divorce, she would get one. Sebastian wasn''t good enough for her daughter anyway. That man Natalie had met on a date, Matthew, seemed much more suitable.


    Nathan''s expression shifted. For a moment, he''d thought she had discovered something. But hearing her concern for Joanna put him at ease.


    "Alright, then. We''ll prepare a nice dinner tomorrow, and I''ll have Sebastiane over. We need to settle this. Natalie''s refusal to divorce is..."


    "Nathan, the one refusing to divorce now is Sebastian," Wendy corrected him, her tone firm. She wouldn''t tolerate another word against her daughter. "We need to convince him to divorce Natalie and marry Joanna.”


    I''m a terrible person, she thought. I don''t deserve to be Natalie''s mother. But Nathan, that animal, deserved it even less. He had swapped her real daughter for his child with his mistress, raising her under Wendy''s roof. She fantasized about killing the bastard. And now he wanted to steal everything from the Don family to give to Joanna and his illegitimate children? He could dream on.


    Nathan was taken aback. He didn''t understand it either. Sebastian had been desperate for a divorce, but now that Natalie was finally willing, he was the one holding back. Had he suddenly realized Natalie''s worth?


    "Natalie and Sebastian are still married," Nathan said hesitantly. "If we do this, won''t it seem like we''re pressuring him?"


    "How so?" Wendy''s voice was cool. "The problem lies with Sebastian. We just need to get him to agree to the divorce."


    Nathan, of course, was eager to


    have Sebastian as a son-inw. His power and influence were


    undeniable. With Sebastian on his


    side seizing the


    Don family fortune


    would be much easier.


    He agreed to invite Sebastian over the next day.


    Wendy soon fell into a deep sleep, but Nathan was wide awake with anxiety. Under the covers, he tried again, but there was still no response.


    He was on the verge of a breakdown. Why was this happening? He was only fifty! This was a death sentence.


    Nathan didn''t sleep a wink and felt


    disoriented the next morning. His usual morning vigor was gone, leaving a knot of fear in his stomach. When he went downstairs, he saw Joanna at the breakfast table and remembered his task. He told her to invite Sebastian over for dinner to discuss their marriage.


    He knew Sebastian''s father was also back in town, but their rtionship was notoriously strained. He decided against inviting the father, focusing on securing Sebastian first.


    Joanna was thrilled. She was confident she could get Sebastian toe.


    "Of course, Dad. I''ll handle it."


    After lunch, Joanna called Sebastian.


    “Hello?” Sebastian''s deep voice came through the line.


    Joanna''s heart leaped. He had finally answered her call.


    "Sebastian, you finally picked up!! knew you wouldn''t ignore me. Can youe to my house for dinner tonight? Thave something to tell you about... about why your mom got sick. I found some evidence."