Sebastian didn''t refuse. He went upstairs with her for lunch.


    Joanna smiled triumphantly and linked her arm through his as they ascended to a table by the window. As Sebastian sat down, he could see Natalie across the street. She wasughing with her friend, looking genuinely happy.


    Joanna followed his gaze and saw Natalie''s back. She knew from the look in Sebastian''s eyes that he was starting to care about her again. A murderous glint shed in Joanna''s eyes. Sooner orter, she would deal with Natalie. For now, she focused on ordering. It didn''t matter what Sebastian''s attitude was, as long as to the outside world, he was on her side. But this new, unreadable Sebastian was a dangerous development.


    Across the street, Natalie and Queena settled into a seafood restaurant and ordered grouper and crab, their favorites.


    "Natty," Queena said, watching her friend''s happy expression, "you''ve really let


    him go."


    Natalie smiled and nodded. "He was someone I loved deeply. I haven''tpletely forgotten him, but I''ll never go back."


    Queena said no more. Fate was a strange thing. She handed Natalie a small jade amulet. "This is for you. It will keep you safe. Make sure you wear it always."


    Natalie knew immediately that this meant danger wasing. She took it with a grateful smile. "Okay. Thank you, Queena."


    "I have to go abroad in a few days," Queena exined. "I''ll be gone for about two weeks. You need to be careful."


    Natalie grabbed her hand, not wanting her to leave. "Queena, you just got out of the abbey. Why are you so busy all of a sudden?"


    Queena''s smile was dazzling. "I grew up in seclusion, and you''re my only real friend. But now I have some business to attend to overseas. I''ll go check it out and bring you back something nice."


    Natalie could only nod. She knew Queena''s family situation was difficult, and she had to support herself. "I thought you''d be able to stay with me for a while, but you''re leaving so soon."


    "Silly girl, we have a long life ahead


    of us. You know my situation. I owe you so much for all your help over the years ou helped repair the abbey and you donate a million in offerings every year. You''ve umted a lot of good karma."


    Natalie smiled. Maybe it was because she had been kind in her past life that heaven had given her a second chance Queena, I''ll donate ten million to the abbey this time. I need all the good karma I can get."


    Queena''s face lit up. "That''s wonderful! Your ten million is a godsend. I can finally renovate the old buildings and draw in more worshippers."


    Natalie had Luna transfer the money to Queena''s ount right away. Just as the food arrived, they ate happily and then went shopping.


    When Natalie got home, she received a call from Marshall. He had been quiet for


    a few days; the list she''d given him had clearly kept him busy.


    "Marshall," she said, her voice calm as she sat on the sofa.


    "Natalie, thank you for that list. I''ve already rooted out two of them. They were feeding information to Nora That deal Nora swiped from mein Wye? She was behind it and my own people leaked my innerary."


    Natalie frowned. "What about the other two? Did you find anything on them?"


    Marshall''s voice grew cold. "They haven''t made a move yet, but they both have ess to the Spencer family''s most sensitive information. I''m worried some of it has already been leaked."