She knew Sebastian was slipping away, and the feeling of losing his favor was unbearable. No, this couldn''t happen. Sebastian had to marry her. It was the only way their n to quietly rece him as the Griffith family heir would seed.


    "Take me to Sebastian''s vi," she ordered.


    Seanplied without a word, knowing full well Sebastian wouldn''t be there.


    Meanwhile, Natalie and Matthew were heading home; as it turned out, they lived in the sameplex. Sebastian followed them in his car. Matthew noticed the tail and deliberately started weaving through the city. "Mr. Monroe, what''s wrong?" Natalie asked, confused. "Why are we heading back downtown?"


    Matthew nced at the rearview mirror, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "Sebastian''s car is behind us."


    Natalie was taken aback. Why was Sebastian following her? His warning to be home tonight echoed in her mind. Her fingers twisted together in herp. "Mr. Monroe, please lose him," she said softly. "I can''t let him follow me home."


    She knew she had to keep her distance from Matthew. Sebastian could be ruthless, and she couldn''t let him target Matthew, whose position was still precarious. Sebastian had grown up in a family devoid of love, where even his own father plotted against him. His mother had been driven to madness. Only his grandfather''s protection had allowed him to grow up rtively unscathed. Through all those dark times, Joanna had been by his side a beacon of light in his life. Natalie understood how important Joanna was to him. She had no right to question his affection for her. What she didn''t understand was why he wouldn''t just grant her a divorce. She had no leverage left, nothing to force his hand. Her only option was to wait two years and file for divorce herself.


    Matthew shot her a quick nce. "Don''t worry, Natalie," he said with a smile. "I''ll shake him. He won''t be bothering you."


    Natalie managed a small smile. "Thank you, Mr. Monroe."


    "I told you to stop with the formalities. If you say that again, I might actually get angry."


    She looked up, taking in his handsome profile, a warmth spreading through her chest. Twenty minutester, thanks to Matthew''s skilled driving, they hadpletely lost Sebastian.


    Sebastian finally gave up the chase, pulling over to the side of the road. His eyes were dark with fury. Natalie. How dare she run?


    Back outside Sebastian''s vi, Joanna tried entering the security code. It failed. She tried again. Still nothing. A dawning horror washed over her as she turned to Sean Did Sebastian change the code


    Sean shook his head. "I wouldn''t know, Ms. Scott."


    Joanna''s face twisted into a sneer. "Sean, I know you don''t like me. Every word you say is dripping with sarcasm. But let me remind you: you''re just a dog at Sebastian''s heel, and am his future wife. If you want to keep your job, you''ll open this door for me." The changed password had caught her


    A cold light glinted in Sean''s eyes. "You think so highly of yourself, Ms. Scott," he said, his tone mocking "Surely you don''t need my help to open @simple door. Go on, open it yourself. I truly don''t know the password."