"Then she has to make you a healthyte-night snack. After all that work, day in and day out, she''s still just an unpaid servant. She even buys your groceries with her own money."


    "And no matter what she does, she''s always in the wrong, always used of framing Joanna. Why would you want a woman like that? It''s better for everyone if you just let her go."


    Let the bastards be damned together, Wendy thought. Just stay away from my daughter.


    Joanna''s face was a mask of fury. Wendy''s words, while seemingly praising her and denigrating Natalie, had a sharp undercurrent. She was painting a picture of Natalie as a tireless martyr, while Joanna came off as a useless, pampered princess who did nothing to earn Sebastian''s affection. Theparison was stark, and for the first time, Joanna felt a tremor of unease. She really hadn''t done anything for Sebastian.


    With every word Wendy spoke, another crack appeared in Sebastian''sposure. Wendy had said so much, but her message was simple: divorce Natalie.


    He rose slowly, his eyes sweeping over the Scott family.


    "I have done more than enough for Joanna. I will not marry her."


    "And as for my marriage to Natalie, if anyone dares to interfere again, don''t me me for being merciless."


    Joanna stared at him, stunned. “Sebastian,” she finally managed to choke out, "are you going back on your word?"


    Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp and his deep eyes unreadable. "I didn''t go back on my word, Joanna. You were the one who left. Natalie was forced to marry me by your father-"


    "You could have refused!" Joanna cut him off, her eyes welling with tears.


    Nathan''s expression soured. He knew why Sebastian had married Natalie back then. Even if Joanna had stayed, she couldn''t have married him. Old Mr. Griffith only recognized Natalie, and that was the condition for Sebastian gaining control of thepany.


    But now, Sebastian held absolute power over the Griffith Group. He was more than capable of defying his grandfather. If he wanted to divorce Natalie and marry Joanna, it was entirely up to him.


    Something felt wrong. Sebastian


    was acting strangely. He had just seen "proof" that Natalie had poisoned his mother yet he was unnervingly calm. Nathan couldn''t figure him out.


    Joanna, ever perceptive, also sensed the shift in him. She stood up abruptly and ran upstairs, sobbing.


    "Joanna, don''t be so upset!" Wendy called after her with false concern. "Sebastian


    is devoted to you! He wouldn''t marry anyone else!"


    Joanna ignored her and disappeared up the stairs.


    Sebastian gave Wendy a long, searching look. Her words tonight had been strange too. Without another word, he turned and left the Griffith mansion, leaving thevish, untouched dinner behind.


    Nathan frowned, watching his wife, who seemed lost in thought. "Darling, don''t be angry. Calm down. Sebastian wille around. You must be hungry, let''s eat."


    "You gofort Joanna," Wendy said, her voice t.


    Nathan pursed his lips. He was clumsy with emotional matters. But Wendy''s insistent gaze left him no choice. He stood and headed upstairs to check on his daughter.


    The moment he was gone, Wendy picked up adobster, cracked it open, and began to eat. She had never intended for Nathan and Joannato enjoy this meal. Tawas all for her. She ate her fill, then made anexcuse about needing to go to the office. As she left, she nced up at the second floor, a mysterious smile touching her lips.


    ...


    At a five-star hotel on Regal Ind.


    Natalie and her friends had stayed on the ind overnight. She had set an rm, determined to go back and finalize her divorce with Sebastian. When it went off, she shot up in bed.


    "Ah!" A dark figure standing by her bed made her scream.