Wendy, however, was a little surprised. How did Joanna get to know the Wilsons? She''d been so preupied withpany affairstely that she hadn''t paid attention to Joanna''s activities. Somehow, she had managed to impress Mr. Wilson himself.


    "Joanna, Mr. Griffith, you two look wonderful together," Mr. Wilson remarked, ncing at Sebastian, whom he recognized as a rising star of the past two years.


    Sebastian offered a polite but nomittal smile, his eyes scanning the room. Natalie and Luna were nowhere in sight.


    The crowd quieted as Mr. Wilson took the stage to give a speech. He spoke of the Wilson family''s history, his own aplishments, and finally, the main event: his seventieth birthday.


    After the formalities, he called Joanna to the stage and made a personal introduction.


    "Everyone, this is Ms. Joanna Scott. To all my business partners here tonight, I hope you will extend every courtesy to her in the future. She saved my grandson''s life and is a benefactor to our entire family. From now on, she is as precious to me as my own granddaughter."


    Nathan beamed, his face flushed with pride. This was his daughter''s moment of triumph.


    Sebastian''s eyes narrowed. This scene felt hauntingly familiar.


    Wendy instantly recalled the incident with Mrs. Spencer Sr. and understood exactly why Mr. Wilson was so taken with Joanna. The girl had a certain talent, but her methods were utterly despicable.


    The crowd erupted in apuse, congratting Joanna.


    Meanwhile, in a quiet corner, Natalie and Marshall sat together.


    Marshall watched the radiant Joanna on stage, his expression cold. He finally understood her game. The Spencer family had nearly fallen into the same trap.


    Natalie nibbled on a pastry and asked with a wry smile, "Recognize the script, Marshall?"


    Marshall scoffed. "So that''s what she was after when she pretended to be you and save my grandmother. No wonder she brought up a business partnership the very ext day. I have to admit, she''s a great actress. Not like you, who just insults people. She''s all gentle and soft, like water."


    "And that''s why men like you fall all over yourselves for her," Natalie said, her eyes crinkling in a smile.


    Marshall didn''t deny it. At the time, Joanna had certainly brought out his protective instincts. "What do you think will happen to the Wilsons?" he asked curiously.


    Natalie''s eyes glinted. "They''ll be her stepping stone. And when they''re no longer useful, she''ll devour them."


    It was inevitable. Mr. Wilson himself was no saint, which was why Natalie hadn''t interfered in this particr scheme, She''d gotten involved with the Spencers because the matriarch was a good decent person who was willing to trust her.


    "Natalie, if you knew this was going to happen, why didn''t you stop it?" Marshall asked, puzzled.


    Natalie smiled serenely. "Why should I? Mr. Wilson is not your


    grandmother. He has a crookedè shadow of his own. Mrs. Spencer Sr. is a woman of integrity who puts her family andpany first The mans on that stage... not so much." She trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.


    Marshall''s face broke into a grin. "So, you''re admitting I have good character, aren''t you?"


    Natalie finished thest bite of her cake. "It''s an undeniable fact that your character is decent," she said, her tone sincere. "I mean, look at your grandmother. She''s a woman I greatly respect. How bad could her grandson be?"


    Marshall stared at her, moved by her genuine words.


    Just then, Natalie spotted a furtive figure lurking behind them. She stood up, a


    mischievous glint in her eyes. "Mr. Spencer, get ready for the main event."