Matthew immediately realized his misstep. "Natalie, I''m not like Jared," he said with an apologetic smile. "I see your brilliance."


    "Mr. Monroe, her ''brilliance'' is just what she got for sleeping her way into Keith Jones''s bed."


    The harsh voice cut through the air. Natalie looked over to see Joanna and Sebastian approaching their table, hand in hand. Joanna wore a gentle, yet utterly false, smile.


    Natalie''s eyes went cold. "Joanna, you''d better watch your mouth."


    Joanna gave her a meaningful look. "Natalie, I''m just telling the truth. Why are you so hostile?"


    Natalie scoffed. "The truth? Or is it because you and your brother have been spreading rumors about me online? You''re such a selfless person, letting your father steal Jared''s deal. That must have broken Jared''s heart. You just lost one of your biggest admirers. Once you''ve alienated everyone who helps you, a useless person like you who can''t even cook will probably starve to death."


    She didn''t hold back. Joanna''s greatest strength was her thick skin. For years, she had sent provocative messages, her shamelessness reaching new heights whenever Sebastian wasn''t around. The memory of his favoritism still pricked at Natalie''s heart like a needle.


    Joanna didn''t argue. Instead, she put on an innocent, wounded expression, though her smile was malicious. "Natalie, you need proof to make usations like that. Don''t nder me. As for Jared, hispany is too weak to handle that contract. It''s not what you think. You always love to wrongfully use people," she sighed, shaking her head sadly.


    Natalie had no proof, but that didn''t stop her. "Joanna, you know perfectly well whether I''m ndering you or not. You''re so vicious, the sight of you makes me sick."


    Joanna immediately looked like she was about to cry, a picture of pure victimhood. Natalie almostughed out loud. So this was her game.


    "What are you so upset about? You''re the one who came over here looking for a fight. Why do you always have to be so shameless and then run to another woman''s husband forfort?"


    Sebastian finally spoke, his voice low. "Natalie, that''s enough. Stop talking. When did you be so sharp-tongued?"


    Natalie nced at the pouting


    Joanna in his arms. "If I weren''t sharp-tongued, how else would


    Joanna''s gentle nature shineet


    through she keeps serving herself up on a tter for me to p down. Should I really refuse?"


    Joanna''s face turned pale, her eyes wide with shock. Sometime recently, Natalie had started gaining the upper hand, while she felt


    increasingly exposed.


    Matthew interjected smoothly, "If you two are finished, please don''t disturb our meal."


    Sebastian stared at Natalie, his eyes smoldering with anger, before leading Joanna to their reserved table.


    Natalie looked down, refusing to watch them together. Matthew saw the pain in her eyes. "Natalie, are you still not over him?"


    She forced a smile. "I am. But sometimes, my heart doesn''t listen to me."


    Matthew understood and didn''t press the issue. The food began to arrive, each dish a ssic.


    Natalie ate with relish, especially the cmari. It was perfect. "Mr. Monroe" she said, her face beaming


    with happiness, The nning to ge


    back to the ind in a while. I''lgo diving for more seafood myself. This is absolutely delicious."


    Matthew smiled. "Great. I love diving and exploring the tide pools too. Let mee with you next time."


    "Okay!" Natalie agreed, digging back into the cmari. It really was delicious.