Natalie shook her head. "You haven''t wronged me. The only person you''ve wronged is yourself. When thingse too easily, it bes a habit. You did it once, and you''ll do it again."


    Therees a time in everyone''s life when they must swallow their pride, smooth out their rough edges, and face the people they once despised with a smile. She hadn''t learned that lesson in her past life; it took dying to finally understand. The greatest fear isn''t being let down by others, but letting yourself down.


    "You''re a brilliant designer, Verna," Natalie said with a sigh of regret. "The saddest thing in the world is to be betrayed by others, and then to betray yourself."


    Verna gave a bitter smile. "Even if I suddenly left Q&N Collective, Mr. Jones wouldn''t have cared. I may have been the design director, but they have another incredible designer named Cora."


    Natalie''s eyes flickered. So that''s why she came to thispany.


    "I once admired your work. With you at Q&N, Mr. Jones never had to worry. I understand your ambition, your desire to climb higher, but this was not the way."


    Tears streamed down Verna''s face. She covered her face and sobbed. She had been so stupid. Sebastian was a man she could never reach, and now, after fighting so hard to get into hispany, this was the result?


    Natalie looked at Sebastian, her gaze icy. "Mr. Griffith, let''s go to the coffee shop across the street to discuss mymission."


    Sebastian''s deep eyes fixed on her. "Come to my office."


    Natalie shook her head. “No. You once told me I wasn''t wee in your


    "Natalie, you..."


    "Shut up. Your voice is thest thing I want to hear. If it weren''t for this, I would want nothing to do with you. But that was my work, and I won''t just hand it over to you for free."


    Natalie turned to Luna. "Luna, you can handle the details with theirpany."


    "Natalie, I want you to handle it with me personally," Sebastian''s voice wasmanding, stopping her in her tracks.


    sne


    Natalie pointed to the coffee shop across the street. "Fine. Over there. But youe alone. I don''t want to see Ms. Scott."


    She shot a cold nce at Joanna. She got away with it again. Verna had chosen to protect her, which meant there was some secret deal between them


    Joanna met her gaze with a defiant smirk. She was always careful; no one could ever pin anything on her.


    Sebastian turned to Sean. "Go print out a contract."


    He then followed Natalie across the street.


    Joanna watched them go, her expression dark and chilling, an suffocating aura of menace surrounding her.


    Verna saw it and felt a cold dread wash over her. This Joanna was not someone to be trifled with.


    Once they were alone, she whispered, "Ms. Scott, I''ve done what you asked. I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain."


    Joanna dropped her act, her eyes turning harsh. "I know you came here for Sebastian. He''s mine. Anyone who tries to take him from me will pay a heavy price you can t stay here anymore, but mypany has an opening. I can arrange a designer position for you"


    Verna sneered. "No, thank you. Our deal is done. Just make sure you do what you promised."


    She turned and headed for the elevator to pack her things. There was nothing left for her here.