Sebastian already knew what had happened to Natalie; it was why he had called her in the first ce. Hearing Jerome''s plea for help now, his gaze turned razor- sharp.


    "Help you with what?" he asked, his voice like ice.


    Jerome wasn''t shy about admitting it; they were all in the same boat, after all. "Sebastian, it''s like this. I just wanted Larry and his guys to rough Natalie up a bit, teach her a lesson. She made Joanna upset, and Joanna''s been down for days because Natalie never apologized. I figured a little scare would make her see reason. But they got carried away and tried to... well, you know. Now they''ve all been arrested. We go way back, Sebastian. You''ve got to help me get them out."


    An arctic frost settled over Sebastian''s handsome features. "Jerome, are you even human?" he seethed. "You hired men to destroy Natalie just because Joanna was in a bad mood?" His cold fury was so palpable it seemed to travel through the phone, making Jerome flinch.


    "Sebastian, I just wanted to teach her a lesson! And to get her to finalize the divorce with you! You''ve always loved Joanna, right? I was doing this for both of you! You have to help me."


    Sebastian closed his eyes. So this was how they treated her. How much pain must she have been in?


    "You''re a goddamn idiot, Jerome. Most of the things Joanna has done are documented, but you all choose to ignore the evidence and hurt Natalie time and time again. You''ve even helped her with some of her schemes. Are you really going to pretend you don''t know?"


    "And let me make one thing clear," he continued, his voice dangerously low. "Natalie is my wife. You mess with her, you mess with me. Not only will I not get them out, I''ll make sure they never see the light of day again. Go back and tell Joanna that I will never, ever marry her."


    "Sebastian, you promised you would! You can''t do this! It will destroy her!" Jerome protested, panicked.


    A cruel smile twisted Sebastian''s


    .n


    lips. "I promised to marry her when I thought she was the true daughter of the Scott family. But we both know the real daughter is Natalie. All


    I feel for Joanna is the affection of a


    childhood friend. As for being my


    wife? She''s not worthy. Why would I marry a trophy wife who can''t do a damn thing?"


    "You better pray that Natalie ispletely unharmed, Jerome. If she has so much as a scratch on her will personally end you


    Sebastian mmed the ph


    down, his rage palpable. He strode toward the door. Sean,


    understanding immediately, rushed to get the car.


    In his own car, Jerome stared at his phone in shock. He saw Natalie''s car pull up in front of a high-end shopping mall. He parked as well, Sebastian''s words echoing in his mind He won''t marry Joanna. Wh was he going to do now? If Natalie didn''te back to the family, Sebastian and Joanna would never be together. Damn that Natalie. She was nothing but a jinx.


    He got out of his car just as Natalie and Luna were heading toward the mall entrance. He didn''t bother them, instead waiting for Wayne, who he knew would be arriving soon. Sure enough, Wayne pulled up momentster.


    As soon as they changed into new clothes inside, they came back down. Jerome was waiting by the exit, blocking Natalie''s path. She noticed the cuts on her face and pursed his lips.


    Before he could speak, Wayne''s voice cut through the air. "Natalie, are you okay?" He rushed to her side.


    Natalie fell into his arms. "I was so scared."


    Luna watched silently. Herdy was learning to be vulnerable.


    "Shh, it''s okay, Natalie. I''m here," Wayne murmured, stroking her back.