Natalie patted her hand with a small smile. "Susan, in the years I was with that family, I did everything I was supposed to. My conscience is clear where they''re concerned. As long as we don''t let ourselves be trapped by their twisted sense of morality, no chains can hold us."


    Susan wiped her tears away. Natalie was right; they didn''t owe anyone anything. "Natalie, anyone can see through Joanna''s fake persona, except for the Scotts and..." She couldn''t bring herself to say Sebastian''s name. "You saw the news a few days ago, didn''t you? It looks like Sebastian is getting ready to make Joanna a star."


    A dense wave of pain washed over Natalie. She didn''t want to feel it, but she couldn''t stop it. Her expression remained unchanged as she shook her head. "It''s fine, Susan. I''ve already moved on. I''ll send you my coboration proposal in the morning. When are you leaving?"


    A deep-seated hatred flickered in Susan''s eyes. "I was nning to leave in three days and spend a few days rxing on the ind. But before I go, there''s something I have to do."


    Natalie had a good idea of what she was nning. Anything Natalie could find out, Susan could too. Natalie smiled. "Jared''s wedding is going to be quite an event, isn''t it?"


    Susan gave a wicked grin. "Oh, it''ll be lively, that''s for sure. I''m eager to see if Jared and his ''true love'' can withstand a little turbulence."


    Natalie chuckled. "Susan, they can."


    Susan''s expression suddenly fell. That was true. Jared was stubborn. Even if he found out about Monica''s past, he would probably stick by her. But that didn''t matter. She wouldn''t let herself be wronged again. The memory of Monica''s schemes still stung, but it wouldn''t affect her ns.


    The two found another restaurant to finish their meal. Afterward, Susan''s driver came to pick her up. Luna arrived to get Natalie, who leaned against the car window, her gaze distant and empty.


    Luna nced at her in the rearview mirror, her heart aching. "Did something bad happen tonight?"


    Natalie''s head snapped up. "No, why?" Her voice was hoarse.


    "You just look so drained. It hurts to see you like this," Luna said.


    Natalie forced a smile. "It''s nothing I''m just tired. I''ll be fine after a good


    night''s sleep." In truth, e


    didnt know why she was in such a bad mood.


    Luna figured it was because of Sebastian''s public support for Joanna. "Joanna is


    a gold digger and Sebastian is a scumbag. You don''t need to be sad over them."


    Natalie''s eyes held a shattered light. "But Luna, the pain was real. And I really did jove Sebastian. He was the first man ever fell in love with.. She trailed off She had decided to forget him, and she truly believed she had. It was only when a memory was triggered that the pain returned.


    Natalie leaned back to rest, and Luna didn''t disturb her further. At least now, she


    was willing to fight back instead of suffering in silence.


    The busy days flew by. The coboration with Matthew was proceeding smoothly, and the agreement with Susan''s family was finalized. A team of ten male


    models led by their manager with Susan. After hearing about the partnership, Jared became


    convinced that Natalie had turned Susan against him. He went to see Susan the next day, proposing that hispany''s male models join the coboration, but she tly refused him.