Wayne held her, his voice uncharacteristically gentle as he soothed her.


    Watching them embrace, Jerome felt an unfamiliar pang of irritation. Natalie had never called out to him like that. He conveniently forgot that he was the one who had forbidden her from calling him ''brother''.


    "Your face is hurt," Wayne said, his voiceced with pain. "I''ve already made some calls. Those men are suspected of multiple crimes. They won''t be getting out."


    Jerome''s ears perked up at that. He looked at Wayne with a new sense of scrutiny. "Natalie," he said anxiously, "Larry was just joking around with you—"


    "Joking around?" Natalie''s cold voice cut him off. "Do you actually believe that, Jerome? The man called you right in front of me. You and Joanna truly are two of a kind-vicious to the core." She knew Jerome probably just wanted to teach her a lesson, but Joanna''s hand was all over this.


    "Joanna is unhappy, so you decide to ruin me? Sebastian won''t finalize the divorce, so that''s my fault too? I''ve already cut ties with your family, I''m staying far away from all of you. What does her mood have to do with me? Does every little thing that displeases her mean I have to pay the price?"


    "Jerome, do you know why they didn''t name their true boss today? Because in two weeks, your life is going to be over. I''m telling you this as a courtesy: you should not participate in that race. If you do, you''ll understand why you didn''t get arrested today, and why they didn''t rat you out. You''ll know everything then."


    Once Sebastian made it clear he wouldn''t marry Joanna, she would only be more frantic, elerating her ns to get rid of her brothers.


    This was the second time Jerome had heard this kind of talk. He shouted in anger, "Natalie, stop with the cryptic nonsense! I grew up with Joanna—"


    Natalie just smiled. "Then you should trust her. It''ll make the fall that much harder." Her smile was chilling. And by the way, even though I''m not your sister anymore, I''ll give you onest piece of advi Don''t enter that race."


    She took Wayne''s arm and turned to leave. Jerome blocked their path again. "Natalie, you can''t be this heartless! Larry''s mother is disabled! If he goes to prison, what will happen to her?"


    His shamelessness made herugh. "Jerome, you''re the one who caused this mess. Why are you asking me what to do? I''m heartless? When you hired those men to rape me, were you being merciful? If he knew his mother couldnt be left alone, why was he outmitting crimes? You''re so righteous and helpful, why don''t you take responsibility for your own actions? Why should I, the victim, have to bear the


    consequences?"


    Her voice was calm, but utterly devoid of warmth. She''d learned not to get angry with this shameless family.


    "Natalie, you came out of this unscathed, didn''t you? Just sign a statement of forgiveness, get them out, and I''ll let youe back to the Scott family."


    Wayne''s fist flew out, connecting squarely with Jerome''s jaw.


    "Agh!" Jerome crumpled to the ground.


    Wayne stood over him, his voice a


    furious roar. "You son of a bitch! Who do you think you''re bestowing. charity on? As long As long as I''m alive


    Natalie will never go back to your disgraceful family! Now get lost!"