"Natalie isn''t some country girl. She''s a diamond in the rough. Now that she''s away from you, she''s finally starting to shine. Why are you so desperate to hold on to her?"


    Sebastian''s dark eyes locked onto Sean''s. "Sean, shut your mouth. Now."


    Every word out of Sean''s mouth was a testament to what a scumbag he had been. Sean fell silent. He had said what needed to be said, and he felt fantastic. He found himself wondering if he should open a bottle of wine tonight to celebrate.


    Sebastian sank into a deep, troubled silence.


    After lunch, Marshall helped Natalie with her discharge paperwork and arranged for her and Luna to stay at a hotel directly across from his own apartment. The presidential suite was luxurious andfortable.


    Natalie, still feeling weak, sank onto the sofa. "Marshall, thank you. Mr. Wilson''s birthday is in two days. We need to head back tomorrow."


    1.n


    Marshall looked exhausted. The fact that their attackers were from Storm Union meant the trail to the person who hired them was likely cold. "Natalie, the branch has taken Ruge lossestely. My arrest costos another contract. Now the


    shareholders are questioning my abilities, and they''re giving my grandmother a hard time in every meeting." It pained him that his elderly grandmother had to deal with this stress.


    Natalie leaned back, a cold smile on her lips. "Joanna failed to


    manipte you, so now she''s trying to destroy you. She can''t have you bing an obstacle." She was frustrated that she hadn''t been able to prevent this. "The Spencer family is in for more trouble. We need to find another way. We have to figure out whichpany is behind Joanna. Wye is our best chance Let''s spend today and tomorrow investigating whichpany stole your contracts. Find a contact you trust and offer them some money. All we need is a name, a lead to follow."


    Marshall shook his head. "I already tried that. You know what their excuse was? The other party offered them an extra percentage point profit in exchange forplete anonymity. It was a condition of the deal, specifically to prevent me from finding out who they are


    Natalie''s gaze was intense. She smiled faintly. "Marshall, you have to push harder. We have two days. We can find something. I''m going to rest for an hour. Meet me in the lobby then. We''ll keep digging."


    Seeing her exhaustion, Marshall nodded. “Okay. Get some rest." As he stood to leave, the roguish figure seemed to have matured overnight.


    After he left, Natalie kicked off her shoes andy down on the sofa. The drug was still in her system, leaving her feeling weak. Luna brought her a pill and a ss of water. "Take this."


    Natalie sat up and swallowed the medicine. Luna then handed her a tablet. "I did some more digging this morning. One of the contractors Marshall met with recognized this woman. Take a look."