Mr. Wilson caught the soft, fragrant woman in his arms, a flicker in his eyes. His hand stroked her waist gently, his voice growing softer. "Don''t you worry, Joanna. I''ll help you. If Natalie can use a live stream, I can find a way to ruin her too."


    "But he destroyed my reputation! I really had no idea he could be so stupid," Joanna cried, though internally she was cursing Jared. The idiot. But his blunt confession had certainly driven a permanent wedge between them; their sibling bond was now irreparable.


    Mr. Wilson''s eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on her waist.


    Joanna fought back her disgust. The old lecher was taking advantage of her, but she gritted her teeth.


    In a year, at most, the Wilson family would be hers.


    She had dressed carefully today to see Sebastian, hoping to reignite his interest.


    Her pink, form-fitting dress perfectly entuated her curves, and her long, slender legs were on full disy. A slight bend at the waist would offer a tantalizing glimpse of whaty beneath.


    The old man''s hand began to wander lower.


    "Grandpa, you''re so naughty," Joanna cooed, her voice a mix of feignedint and seductive charm. The sound seemed to melt the old man.


    As his hand grew bolder, Joanna subtly shifted away. "Grandpa, what was the n you mentioned?" she asked, her voice turning gentle and sweet.


    The atmosphere in the living room grew thick with suggestion. Mr. Wilson pulled her down to sit beside him. "I''ll handle it shortly," he said, his sharp eyes glinting.


    "The lead role will still be yours." His tone wasced with innuendo.


    As a lifelong phnderer, he knew exactly what Joanna''sck of resistance meant. He was still virile, with several young mistresses tucked away. If Joanna wanted to climb thedder, all she had to do was submit to him, and he would pave her way.


    "You''re a smart girl, Joanna. Go wait for me in my room." The implication was clear.


    "Grandpa, it''s not a good time for me right now," she demurred. "It''s that time of the month Maybe in a few. days. Joanna knew exactly what the old fossil wanted.


    Next time, she''d be prepared to drive him mad with desire without ever letting him touch her.


    The old man chuckled, knowing he had time. He made a quick call to his assistant, giving instructions. Then he had the butler serve lunch for them both.


    Back at her office, Natalie chatted with Matthew for a while, finalizing some work details, "Natalie, your proposal is excellent, and Move the desig drafts, Matthew said, standing up. "I''m looking forward to seeing the final products hit the market."


    Natalie beamed. Building a business was exhausting, but it was also incredibly fulfilling.


    "Thank you, Mr. Monroe," she said. "Thank you for partnering with me. I have many more new designs in the works."


    This man was a future titan of industry; she was hitching her wagon to a star.


    Matthew knew she was talented. The Scotts were fools, endlessly trying to demean her while mistaking a fish eye for a pearl. They would regret it someday.


    His gaze on her deepened, a hidden tenderness in his eyes. "Today''s live stream was brilliant, Natalie. It feels good to strike back at your enemies, doesn''t it?" Natalie smiled. “It really does."


    She knew the Monroe family was powerful and that Matthew''s position within it wasn''t easy.


    He had built his own empire abroad before his grandfather allowed him


    zUTe


    to return. Thepetition to be the heir was fierce. Looking at his refined demeanor, Natalie''s smile grew wider. The Monroe family dynamics wereplex, but Matthew was an unstoppable force in the business world. Nothing could dim his brilliant future. And she had managed to get in on the ground floor with this rising star, securing a powerful ally early on.