Natalie looked at Sebastian, her smiling eyes filled with the kind of pity one reserves for an idiot. The man had some tolerance.


    Sebastian''s lips formed a tight line.


    Natalie chuckled. "Admit it, Sebastian. You''re a fool. Every time things get critical, Joanna pretends to faint because she doesn''t want to take responsibility. Just like when she staged her own kidnapping and then cried herself unconscious."


    "You, Sebastian, have a soft spot for these weepy women who faint at the first sign of trouble. It feeds your heroplex, doesn''t it? I''m trying to give you what you want. I really don''t understand why you won''t just sign the divorce papers."


    This whole charade was pointless to Natalie, but Sebastian and Joanna seemed to find it endlessly fascinating. Dealing with people like them was exhausting.


    Sebastian stared at her, mesmerized. Her eyes, once so full of life, seemed to hold a gxy of stars, shining with captivating brilliance. The slight curve of her lips on her exquisite face gave her an aura of spirited intelligence.


    His tall frame stood opposite hers, his gaze cool, a faint smile on his lips. "Natalie, I know you have a sharp tongue, but you have to give me a chance to exin."


    "I don''t love Joanna. I''ve told you, I''ve only been good to her out of gratitude for saving my life."


    Natalie''sugh wasced with sarcasm. "Sebastian, how can you say that to Joanna? Do you realize you treat her better than most husbands treat their wives? Even a married couple couldn''t match the level of devotion you show her."


    "To repay a debt, you conspired with her family to bully me, your legal wife. In my book, you''re worse than a scumbag. No matter what you say or how you exin it, this divorce is happening."


    "The pain you two have caused me is something I will never forgive you for in this lifetime." Her eyes glittered with hatred, sharp and unforgiving as a newly drawn sword.


    Her words struck Sebastian like a physical blow. Natalie hated him.


    "And normal people don''t repay debts in bed. You could have divorced me and been with Joanna openly, but you chose to keep me trapped between you for the thrill. Sebastian, you''ve been using me from the very beginning. The only reason you won''t divorcéme now is because I still have some use to you, isn''t it?"


    "If it''s about Grandma, I can talk to her. Thepany''s management is already in your hands. I don''t think I have any value left."


    From the start, she knew Sebastian had married her to get control of thepany from his grandfather.


    Sebastian saw the hatred in her eyes, thought of the videos, and his gaze deepened. The photos were real, but the man in them wasn''t him. Joanna had


    sent them to Natalie to provoke her, to drive a wedge between them.


    Was there even a rtionship left to break? Natalie wondered.


    She was right, Joanna wanted the entire Griffith family fortune. He nced at Joanna, who was still whimpering in pain, then back at Natalie "Natalie," he said gravely, "I never exin myself, but what you see isn''t always the truth."


    made


    The words made Natalieugh bitterly. "When I was framed by Joanna and the Scott family, whatz you saw wasn''t the truth either, but did you ever once stand up fore Just now, when I was used of seducing Larry, you, my husband, didn''t dare to say a word A man lik you isn''t worthy of me. So just grant me a divorce."


    like


    She was so angry she wanted to hit someone. The reason Sebastian hadn''t stepped in was because of Joanna. He didn''t want to expose her, to ruin her reputation.


    Sebastian''s expression was grim. "I thought you were going to ask for my help back there." If she had asked, he would have solved it for her.