Seeing that Sebastian was still there, Joanna''s expression immediately shifted to one of fragile vulnerability.


    "Natalie, how can you say such things? Every time you hurt me in the past, I begged everyone to forgive you..."


    "Did you?" Natalie cut her off coldly. "How benevolent of you. And every time you begged them to forgive me, you made sure to recount every detail of how I supposedly wronged you, fanning the mes of their hatred so they would despise me even more and adore only you."


    "I can''t believe I wasted so many yearspeting with a clown like you. I finally realized that everyone around you is blind-not just blind, but cruel. No matter how good I tried to be, you would all just trample on me. And you seeded, didn''t you? You yed everyone for a fool and made them all hate me. That''s what you wanted."


    "Now, the Scott family despises me and has disowned me. I''ve even given you back the man you wanted. Yet you continue to provoke me, again and again."


    "Joanna, I''ve already died once. I have nothing left to fear. If you want to y, I''ll y with you until the very end."


    A chilling aura emanated from Natalie. She gave Joanna a cryptic smile, her chin held high—proud but not arrogant, confident but not conceited. In that moment, Joanna was struck by a profound realization. With her ink-ck hair and eyes like brilliant jewels, Natalie possessed the cold, decisive authority of someone in a position of immense power.


    And Joanna felt like a speck of dust inparison.


    Natalie''s presence was now one thatmanded respect, even submission.


    Joanna''s jaw went ck. This version of Natalie was far too dazzling, too formidable. She looked at Sebastian, whose face was an icy mask, his entire being radiating a detached coldness.


    A shiver went down her spine. Tonight''s events had pushed him even further away. "Sebastian, say something," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "She''s clearly the one bullying me."


    Sebastian''s cold eyes met hers. "Joanna, the act is over. It''s quite disgusting, really."


    The words hit her like a physical blow.


    Tears streamed down Joanna''s face. "Sebastian, how could you... even you? I didn''t do anything wrong. I was just worried about Natalie..."


    Sebastian nced at Natalie onest time before turning and walking away.


    Natalie frowned. It felt like he had reverted to the cold, distant man he used to be. What had happened?


    "Natalie, let''s go," Marshall said. He shot Joanna a wicked grin. "Ms. Scott, we''ll have fun ying this game."


    He gave her a defiant, taunting smile.


    Joanna''s eyes narrowed, a


    murderous glint in them. Marshall,


    you idiot. You couldn''t beat me


    before, and you still dare to


    challenge me? It seems the lesson I


    taught you wasn''t harsh enough.


    "Joanna, what are we going to do? Wendy saw everything," Nathan said, his voice


    Joanna gave him a cold look. "Where''s my... mistress?" she corrected herself.


    "I told her to run off during the chaos," Nathan said.


    Joanna gritted her teeth, her face contorted with rage. "What is wrong with you? How did you end up with her? The person in that room was supposed to be Natale she hissed, her voice low and furious. She couldn''t understand where her n had gone so wrong.


    "I... I just saw your mother... I mean, her, and I


    stan and then..." Nathan stammered, his face flushing a deep ted, too embarrassed to continue