Natalie hung up just as Matthew sat down across from her.


    Seeing thette in his hand, she beamed.


    "Matt, thank you."


    He smiled at her radiant expression, seeing her genuine happiness. “Natalie, I''ll work hard to make you feelfortable enough to always call me by my name." Natalie smiled back, taking a sip of hertte. It wasn''t that difficult.


    "Matt, thank you for trusting me. The worst thing in any rtionship is when the person sitting across from you believes what others say about you instead of believing in you."


    The Scott family had painted her as utterly worthless. In their eyes, she was a malicious, uncultured girl from the countryside.


    Once she divorced Sebastian, she would show them all that she was a woman they could never hope to reach.


    She was grateful for this chance.


    "Silly girl," Matthew said, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "Your talent is all the proof I need. Why would I need to listen to anyone else''s opinion? What I see is the real you."


    Being with her felt so natural. He had been on dates with other women, but none of them felt asfortable as this.


    Their food arrived, and they ate and chatted, enjoying the easy conversation.


    Back in Sebastian''s office, the temperature seemed to plummet.


    Sean stood before him, his head bowed.


    Sebastian''s deep-set eyes were sharp with fury. "Sean, why didn''t you remind me about the time?"


    Sean felt wronged. "Sir, you never told me you had a five o''clock meeting with Ms. Sanders."


    He was being unfairly med.


    Sebastian''s brow furrowed, his fiery anger dimming slightly. "I didn''t tell you?"


    Sean shook his head. "No, sir. I always set rms for your


    scheduled meetings so can remind your but you got inthe cart a four mood this morning and never mentioned it."


    "But sir, for you to forget something this important... it''s no wonder Ms. Sanders wants a divorce."


    Sean quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at his boss''s enraged face.


    Sebastian clenched his fists. "Find out where Natalie is having dinner. She''s with Matthew."


    Sean immediately got to it.


    Sebastian''s phone rang. He nced at the screen and saw it was Jerome.


    "Hello?" he answered, his voice thick with anger.


    Jerome, oblivious, assumed Sebastian would always prioritize Joanna.


    "Sebastian, why didn''t youe see Joanna? She was waiting for you, calling out your name."


    Sebastian''s frown deepened. "I already told you at your housest time. I''m done with Joanna and the Scott family''s affairs."


    Jerome was furious. "Sebastian,


    what''s wrong with you? Joanna kas always been the one you were going to marry. How can you just abandon her? What is she supposed to do without you?"


    “Did Natalie say something to you? Don''t believe a word she says. She''s apulsive liar."


    "And I should believe you instead?


    You hired people to go after my wife, and I haven''t even settled that score with you yet. Turns out Natalie was right. The only reason they didn''t rat you out is because there''s a bigger scheme waiting for you down the line."


    "Hah! They didn''t expose me because they value our bond as friends!" Jerome yelled, puffing out his chest.


    Sebastian hung up.


    He tossed his phone onto the desk and sank into the sofa. Natalie''s words echoed


    in his mind: If someone has you in their heart, they''re free 24/7.


    He remembered how, in the past, Natalie would always be waiting for him when


    he got home, with a nourishing tea or ate-night snack prepared.