Marshall''s eyes narrowed. "I understand, Natalie."


    The g was being held at the Yaro Grand Hotel, its ballroom a glittering spectacle of gold and crystal.


    The hall was already filled with elegantly dressed guests, their conversations a low hum beneath the gentle strains of ssical music.


    Marshall first took Natalie to a private suite to meet his grandmother, Mrs. Spencer Sr., before introducing her to two directors from high-end textilepanies. After they exchanged contact information, Marshall excused himself to find his friends, promising to be back in half an hour.


    Just then, Matthew appeared, so Marshall left Natalie in his care.


    Matthew''s gaze was fixed on Natalie''s stunning face. She was radiant tonight, her skin almost glowing. The pink dress she wore, with a diamond-studded cor, perfectly entuated her delicate and captivating features.


    "Natalie, you look stunning tonight," he said, his voice soft and full of admiration.


    Natalie smiled, a little bashful from his praise. "I used to be so in. But now I''m living for myself, so of course, I have to dress up."


    Her smile was dazzling, and under the ballroom lights, her eyes seemed to hold a gxy of stars.


    Matthew was mesmerized. His grandfather had exiled him abroad for years, where he''d met countless beautiful women-some who tried to seduce him, others who threw themselves at him—but none had ever struck him as profoundly beautiful as the woman standing before him.


    "Come on, Natalie. I''ll introduce you to some of my friends," he said, his voice growing even gentler.


    "Okay!" she agreed. As a future powerhouse, his friends were bound to be influential people she wanted to meet.


    As she turned, her eyes met Sebastian''s from across the room. He was staring at her with a cold, intense look, as if he''d just caught her cheating on him.


    Natalie''s gaze flickered away. This was a public event; she had no intention of acknowledging him. "Let''s go, Mr. Monroe," she said to Matthew.


    Sebastian started to move toward her, but he was intercepted by Joanna. "Sebastian, you''re here."


    Joanna was


    also dressed for the


    asion in a shimmering white mermaid gown that showcased her


    perfect figure. Her makeup was e


    Subtle highlighting her best


    features. She really was perfectly cast as the innocent-looking schemer.


    With Joanna upying Sebastian, Natalie and Matthew made a clean getaway.


    Sebastian watched her retreating back, a frown creasing his brow. She just left? Like that?


    Joanna had also noticed how


    beautiful Natalie looked tonight, no


    longer trying to hide her natural allure. In the past, as a housewife. she had dressed so casually. Seeing Sebastian''s captivated expression sparked a growing sense of rm in her.


    "Sebastian," she began, her voice soft and apologetic, "Mr. Wilson wants to see you. I know you pulled your investment because of Natalie. But Sebastian, I haven''t felt safe since she came back. Anyone would have reacted the way did.


    know I''m an orphan; I''m very sensitive. I only said those things because I wanted my brothers and you to love me more. I''ll change, Sebastian, I promise. I''ll never go after Natalie again."


    She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. In the past, a single tear from her would have himforting her instantly.


    But Sebastian''s expression remained neutral. "It''s fine. You''re the one who was embarrassed. Take me to Mr. Wilson."


    Though he knew what Joanna had done, his tone was neither warm nor cold.


    Joanna took his cool demeanor as his natural personality and felt relieved that he was still willing to be seen with her.


    She led him away to meet Mr. Wilson.