Luna was also a skilled racer, though she rarelypeted. But Natalie couldn''t afford to miss this opportunity with Matthew.


    On the day of the race, she was still hunched over her drafting table. After that one good cry, inspiration had begun to flow endlessly. By afternoon, she hadpleted twenty-five designs, each one to her satisfaction.


    She stood up, stretching her sore muscles. After days of sitting, her whole body ached, but her spirits were high, her eyes crinkling with a smile. She had been sleeping in her office for the past three days, and this time, she locked the new designs securely in a safe. She couldn''t afford to be careless again.


    She raised her arms high, azy, sensual movement, and let out a rxed yawn before heading to the bathroom.


    She emerged forty minutester, showered and refreshed, ready to go home. Just then, her phone rang. It was the police.


    Natalie stared at the caller ID, thinking she must be mistaken. Why would the police be calling her? She answered.


    "Is this Ms. Natalie Sanders?" a serious voice asked.


    "Yes, this is she."


    "Ms. Sanders, Jerome Scott was in an ident during the race today. His car went off the track, and he''s been seriously injured. Both of his legs are severely damaged. Our technicians inspected the vehicle and found evidence of tampering. He ims you were behind it. Given your recent conflicts, you are his primary suspect. We need you toe in for questioning."


    Natalie almostughed. Are you serious? She didn''t remember this happening in her past life. How had she been framed for this? It was clear just how cunning and ruthless Joanna and Nathan were. If the police were already calling her, they must have some kind of evidence.


    This was going to be tricky. Joanna''s methods were truly masterful.


    "Where do I need to go?" Natalie asked.


    "Pleasee to the hospital first. The patient has been admitted to the one nearest the racetrack."


    "Alright. I''m on my way."


    She hung up and headed downstairs.


    ет


    At the hospital, Joanna and Nathan, who had been at the race to watch him, had been the ones to bring Jerome in. After two long hours of examinations, the doctor delivered the verdict: both of Jerome''sdegs had Sufferedmuted fractures. Even after treatment, he would never be able to race again. He would be confined to a wheelchair for at least three years, and whether he could ever walk again was uncertain.


    The news hit Jerome like a physical blow, and he nearly fainted. Arge gash on


    his forehead throbbed in time with his shattered hopes. He knew his life as he knew it was over.


    He closed his eyes in despair.


    Seeing her moment, Joanna added fuel to the fire. "Just rest and don''t think too much. That vicious woman Natalie will get what''sing to her."


    Nathan quickly chimed in, "Jerome, listen to me. Just focus on your recovery. I spoke with the doctor. With proper treatment, there''s hope you''ll walk again. After your first. surgery here, we''ll send you abroad to recuperate. You''ll be back on your feet in three years."


    Jerome closed his eyes, Natalie''s warning not to race echoing in his mind. So, she really was nning to set me up. But then he remembered the recording his mother had yed for him, and his thoughts descended into chaos. Was it Joanna or Natalie?


    His eyes snapped open. "Where''s Natalie?" he asked Nathan, his voice strained.


    "I want to see her. I want to ask her why she did this to me."