After arriving at the airport, they went their separate ways to rest before Mr. Wilson''s birthday party that evening.


    Meanwhile, Sebastian and Sean had also returned to Yaro.


    When Sebastian got home, he immediately noticed someone was there. His first thought was that Natalie hade back to steal the divorce papers.


    His brow furrowed as he strode into the living room. The sight of Joanna sitting on the sofa made his eyes turn cold.


    Joanna was dressed to the nines in a pink evening gown, her makeup wless. The look was meant to make her appear innocent and sweet, stirring a man''s protective instincts.


    "Joanna, what are you doing here?" Sebastian asked, his tone icy.


    Hearing the coldness in his voice, she looked at him with wounded eyes. "Sebastian, you used to let me stay here. I''ve been living here while you were away. You''re the only one who makes me feel safe. We grew up together, and you promised you''d marry me. A man of his word doesn''t go back on a promise, Sebastian. You can''t break it."


    She paused for effect. "And you certainly can''t abandon me just because Natalie is trying to drive a wedge between us."


    With that, she rose and walked toward him.


    She knew Sebastian had already cleared out all the clothes she''d left here, a sure sign that his suspicions about her were real. That couldn''t happen-not when he was so close toing back to her. The Griffith family fortune was supposed to be his, but how could someone like Sebastian, who grew up in an unloving home, possibly deserve any of it?


    Sebastian took a step back, his tall frame imposing, his gaze hard. “Joanna, I made myself clearst time. I''m not going to marry you. You were the one sowing discord from the very beginning."


    Joanna''s breath hitched, and tears slid silently down her cheeks. "Sebastian, are you even the same person anymore? Why would you betray the vows we made to each other?"


    "What vows? Joanna, I still haven''t found out what caused my car ident all those years ago. I''m reopening the investigation."


    At his words, Joanna''s hands, resting on her knees, trembled, and her pupils dted in a flicker of panic. Unfortunately for her, Sebastian didn''t notice.


    "Wasn''t the ident just... an ident? Why would you investigate it now?" she asked, forcing a gentle smile.


    Sebastian ignored her and pulled out his phone to call Sean.


    "Sir."


    "Yes. Get a cleaning crew over here. I want the entire house deep-cleaned and sanitized."


    He hung up.


    Joanna stared at him,


    dumbfounded. Was all her effort this beautiful dress,pletely worthlessan his eyes? Not was worse than that he was disgusted by her very presence.


    Her voice rose in an angry, tearful cry. "Sebastian, is this because of that video Natalie showed you? Nothing happened between me and Larry! The video was faked. Why won''t you believe me?"


    Sebastian''s eyes narrowed. "I never said anything about you and Larry. How did you know there was a video?"


    His gaze bore into her, deep and questioning.


    Joanna faltered, her eyes darting away. "Natalie threatened me with it once," she mumbled. At tonight''s party, she was going to make Natalie''s life a living hell.


    Sebastian pointed toward the door, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Get out."


    Looking utterly heartbroken, Joanna pleaded softly, “Sebastian, please don''t send me away. It''s Mr. Wilson''s birthday party tonight. You and Natalie have no real feelings for each other. She never used to apany you to these events i was always me. Let me go with you tonight, please?"