Natalie''s eyes misted over. "Grandma," she said softly, "thank you for your support."


    The past couldn''t be erased, but the future was a fresh start.


    Her grandmother spoke with gentle wisdom. "Natalie, whether someone truly loves you isn''t about what they say, but what they do for you. They won''t hesitate to spend money, time, or energy on you—that''s real love. Sebastian does that for Joanna, but he never gave that to you. In the future, you must find a man who will love you with his whole heart."


    The old woman never put Natalie in a difficult position, knowing all too well the hardships women face. Life was already challenging, and running a business was even harder. Every woman grits her teeth to get through the tough times, from monthly cramps and household chores to raising children and managing a career. Weren''t all those chaotic days spent just trying to live the life you wanted?


    Natalie smiled and nodded. "I will, Grandma. I promise you, I will be happy!" Though reluctant to see her go, she smiled back. "You must be happy, Natalie!"


    Natalie nodded again. Grandfather wasn''t home, so she stayed and had dinner with her, who had the kitchen prepare her favorite cakes. Natalie ate with genuine delight, and her grandmother even had the cooks pack some for her to take home, having intentionally made extra.


    After Natalie left, Sebastian came downstairs. His grandmother''s expression was t, her silence speaking volumes.


    "Leaving?" she asked coolly.


    Sebastian seemed surprised. He managed a smile. "Grandma, you used to always tell me to be good to Natalie whenever I came to visit."


    "I told you many times, but you never were. I asked Natalie here today to see how she was doing. Since she''s moved on and doesn''t love you anymore, I can rest easy. You truly don''t deserve her she said, ber voice firm. "Your father was reckless when he was young, and we couldn''t control him. I see I failed to teach you properly either; you still don''t understand gratitude. But don''t worry. I''m old now, and I won''t meddle in your affairs. Your life, your choices, your happiness-it''s all in your hands. I''m not one to interfere in other people''s lives."


    With that, she turned and went upstairs. She imed she wasn''t disappointed, but


    her heart ached. She truly despised a woman as maniptive as Joanna.


    Sebastian stood frozen, his arrogant eyes clouded with an unreadable emotion. Natalie''s words echoed his mind, deafeningly loud: "Grandma, I loved Sebastian for four years and couldn''t make him lov


    me. It wasn''t meant to be. Loving him once brought me down to my knees, but now I want to climb to the clouds. I don''t want to fail myself again or waste any more of my life. The days ahead, the days without Sebastian, will be happy ones."


    So, you could just stop loving someone.


    Was what he felt for Joanna love?


    No.


    Then what was it?


    He couldn''t say.


    At the Scott residence, things were a mess. Nathan had returned to find his mother had thrown the house into chaos since her arrival. It was only then that he realized just how dire hispany''s crisis was They were hemorrhaging contracts, and We Wendy was working herself to exhaustion every day. Nathan had never anticipated that Ceryn Corp. pulling its funding and canceling several projects would plunge hispany into such a desperate situation.