"Boss, take a look at the childhood sweetheart you''ve spoiled her whole life. You''ve spent billions on her, and she doesn''t even know your favorite food. Ha!"


    Hearing Sean''s gleefulughter, Sebastian knew he was being mocked. He wearily rubbed his temples and stood up to get a ss of water.


    Sebastian didn''t sleep a wink that night. The next morning, he looked haggard. During the morning meeting, everyone in the conference room spoke in hushed, careful tones, terrified of saying the wrong thing and being thrown out.


    When it was Verna''s turn, she presented the new winter collection. Seeing Verna always reminded him of Natalie.


    After listening intently to her team''s proposal, Sebastian spoke. "Ms. Young,st year''s winter collection brought in two billion in sales. Your designs are household names. This year, I''m raising the target to two and a half billion. I will do my best to provide the resources you''ve requested, but you must meet this target."


    Verna''s face lit up with confidence. She smiled warmly. "Thank you, Mr. Griffith. I won''t disappoint you."


    Sebastian hoped not. Their mainpetitor had just signed a deal with the Monroe Group. With the Monroe family''s tform and Natalie''s undeniable design talent, Keith''spany was projected to increase its revenue by fifty percent this year.


    "Meeting adjourned," he said, rising to his feet and striding out.


    Verna''s mood soared. Watching his powerful figure recede, she knew she was getting closer to him. This was her chance to make him see her in a new light.


    Sebastian and Sean returned to the office to find Joanna already there. She was wearing a pink dress with her long hair down, a look Sebastian had always favored. In her hands, she held an insted container. Seeing him, she broke into a sweet smile.


    "Sebastian, I came to see you. I made you some pork rib stew."


    Sean nearly burst outughing. So she actually went through with it. He quietly excused himself, not wanting to be tainted by her sharine performance.


    Joanna beamed as she moved to take Sebastian''s arm, but he subtly shifted away.


    She froze, her expression turning wounded. "Sebastian, how can you ignore me just because of a few lies Natalie told?" She never missed an opportunity to nder Natalie, She was a master at manipting a man''s heart and knew exactly how to fight Natalie for Sebastian. It was a high-stakes gamble: if she won, she''d live like a queen. If she lost, she''d only lose Sebastian, but the ultimate oue would still be the one she desired.


    Sebastian sank onto the sofa. The soft light from above cast azy, indifferent glow on him. He propped his chin on his hand and asked. you Really


    Joanna


    nonchntly, Joanna do


    think it was just a few lies? Natalie


    is my wife. I gave her status and


    prestige to you, yet you''re still not satisfied? Hmm?"


    Thest syble was a seductive, drawn-out hum that made one''s heart flutter.


    Of course I''m not satisfied, Joanna thought with a cold, internal sneer. Everything


    you have should have been mine. Why should you get to keep it all?


    "Sebastian, I never wanted to fight Natalie for anything," she said,ē lowering her head as tears welled in her eyes. "I just want you toe back to me was the one you were supposed to marry."


    Sebastian''s gaze hardened, but before he could speak, Sean burst into the room.


    He was slightly out of breath. "Boss, it''s bad. Larry''s mother has brought a pack of reporters to Ms. Sanders''s office to cause trouble."