"You saw the live stream, didn''t you? Natalie is despicable. She set me up!" Jared vented.


    "I told you when you got back not to be so cruel to Natalie," Jerome said, his tone calm. He knew his brother was too stubborn to be persuaded, especially when it came to helping Joanna.


    "You started this, Jared. She did nothing wrong."


    "She''s our sister, Jared. She was just a baby when she was taken, she had no choice in the matter. What right do you have to hurt her for Joanna''s sake?" Jerome''s voice was heavy with disappointment.


    "You''re on your own." He hung up before Jared could reply.


    "Hello? Hello!" Jared shouted into the dead phone, too angry to process his brother''s words. He got out of the car and stormed toward the entrance of Sebastian''spany, only to be stopped by security.


    "Don''t you recognize me?" Jared demanded. "Get him down here now."


    The guard looked at him with disdain. "I''m sorry, sir, but our CEO has given explicit instructions not to let you in. Please leave."


    Jared froze. Sebastian knew he wasing? And he wouldn''t even let him in? Furious, Jared pulled out his phone and called Sebastian. The call connected, and a wave of relief washed over him.


    "Sebastian, you saw the broadcast, right? Natalie tricked me. You have to help me."


    Sebastian''s voice was cool and detached. "Jared, before you say another word, you should remember that the person you schemed against is my wife. I heard and saw everything you said. Haven''t I done enough for the Scott family over the years?"


    "Natalie is still my wife. Understood?" With that, Sebastian hung up.


    Jared stared at his phone, stunned. What was wrong with Sebastian? He had always handled things for the Scott family, especially for Joanna. Now, with everyone attacking Joanna, why was he doing nothing?


    It felt like the entire world had changed. He had only been gone for a year. What on earth had happened?


    He tried calling again, but Sebastian didn''t answer. Seething, Jared noticed reporters heading his way.


    Without a second thought, he jumped back in his car and sped off.


    As he drove past Natalie''spany, he saw her standing outside, talking with Matthew. Matthew had bought her a cup of coffee, and in the autumn breeze. her smile was gentle, captivating, and a little mischievous.


    Lost in the moment, Jared nearly hit a pedestrian, mming on the brakes just in time. The person cursed at him before hurrying away.


    By the time he looked back, Natalie and Matthew were gone, having entered the building.


    Jared''s eyes turned red with rage. "Natalie, I won''t let you get away with this."


    Just then, his assistant called. “Mr. Scott, we can''t contain the story. Everyone is saying you''re a horrible, vicious person. We''ve already fost the several new partnership we just Secured


    Jared finally understood what it meant to be hoisted by his own petard. Natalie''s move had destroyed hispany and tarnished Joanna''s name. Joanna, meanwhile, had gone straight to Mr. Wilson.


    He looked at her tear-streaked, swollen face with feigned sympathy.


    "Grandpa, had no idea things would turn out like this," she sobbed. "He''s such a fool. He was just trying to protect me what and going to do,


    Joanna feigned a faint, copsing into Mr. Wilson''s arms. “Grandpa, please, you


    have to help me. I can''t lose this opportunity."