Natalie and Luna browsed the shops for about forty minutes. Natalie bought some local specialties to send back to Queena, including her favorite spicy duck jerky- the perfect snack for watching TV at night. Checking the expiration dates, she saw they were fresh and decided to buy several packs, having the shop mail them directly.


    "Natalie." Marshall, now in a set of casual clothes, walked into the shop, a grin on his face.


    Natalie smiled back. "Let''s go. You''ve been here for a while, so you must know the good spots. I''m in the mood for hot pot."


    Luna, however, was not a fan. "You two go ahead. I can''t handle hot pot." Luna had no intention of being a third wheel. Besides, if Joanna was really behind what happened to Marshall, she would undoubtedly target Natalie next for interfering.


    Luna had to prepare.


    Natalie understood. "Alright, Luna. Go find something you like. We can meet upter for a walk."


    Luna gave a cool nod. "Okay."


    As Luna left, Marshall watched her go. The girl was so reserved, she barely greeted anyone. "Is Luna always so... detached?" he asked with a chuckle.


    "Yes, she''s been like that since she was a child. But she''s incredibly capable," Natalie said, her voice full of praise.


    Marshall could see that. Luna wasn''t just aloof; she was skilled. Her posture was perfect, her movements fluid. She was a trained fighter. He smiled knowingly. "Everyone around you is extraordinary, Natalie."


    Natalie just smiled without replying. It was true. She had grown up in an extraordinary family, surrounded by her trusted confidants: Luna, Keith, and Cedric-all of them orphan''s she had taken in. Keith was the first. When she''d told him to pick a name, he had said, "Thank you for letting me study with you. I''ll be Keith." He had named himself after their meeting Luna came next, followed by Cedric They had never known their families and were now studying abroad, set to graduate next year. Each one was brilliant, already a rising star in their own right. Her life had not been a lonely one; she had people she loved. Why her past self had been so desperate for the pathetic affection of the Scotts was something she still couldn''tprehend.


    "Natalie? What''s wrong?" Marshall''s voice pulled her from her thoughts.


    She snapped back to the present and shed him a radiant smile. The warm lights of the shop made her glow like the morning sun, a brilliant, fiery vision in Marshall''s eyes.


    ??????


    From a distance, Sebastian saw the same fiery brilliance. Her smile seemed to wash away some deep-seated burden. A wave of、 panic seized him, a desperate feeling of trying to grasp something that had never been his to hold. He watched as she left with Marshall, the two of themughing and


    taking, seeminist in their own


    world. Marshall was an easy conversationalist, and they appeared to have endless topics to discuss.


    Ever since she had demanded a divorce, he kept seeing this vibrant, alive version of Natalie. And he, a lion who had spent his life lurking in the shadows, felt the stark contrast. He was dark ruthless Looking at the sun-drenched Natalie, a single thought echoed in his mind: unworthy.


    Sebastian turned to Sean. "Let''s go."