The old woman knew that by striking first, she had seized control of the narrative, leaving Joanna with little room to maneuver.


    Joanna was stunned. Had Marshall told this old witch about the hotel?


    "Mrs. Spencer, how can you nder me like this?" Joanna started crying again. "Your grandson almost raped me... Mr. Wilson, you have to stand up for me!"


    "Heh..." Mrs. Spencer sneered. "Something happens, and you don''t call your parents or the police for help, but you turn to Mr. Wilson? Joanna, even with Mr. Wilson backing you, I won''t let this go. You drugged my grandson, and I will hold you fully ountable for what you''ve done to him."


    Her tone was unyielding.


    Joanna was frightened. This damn old woman was ruining her n. "Mrs. Spencer, I just came in here to change! A waiter spilled a drink on my dress. As I was changing, your grandson osted me. Everyone saw it when they came in! Besides, why would I try to seduce your grandson in a ce like this? He may not care about his reputation, but I do! I''m young, with a promising movie about to start filming. Why would I do something to destroy my own career? Mrs. Spencer, I know you are powerful and it would be easy for you to crush a simple girl like me, but you can''t just frame me! I was the one who was almost assaulted!"


    Joanna''s tearful performance skillfully painted the old matriarch as a powerful bully, turning her into the target of public scrutiny.


    Mrs. Spencer had used her influence many times in her life, but always with integrity. She had never encountered someone as shameless as Joanna.


    "Fine! If you want to talk about power, then let''s call the police and let them handle this."


    She signaled for her assistant to make the call.


    But Joanna was confident, her eyes red as she shouted, "Go ahead, Mrs. Spencer! Call them! I''m the victim here. Let''s see if the police will be swayed by the Spencer family''s power or if they''ll give me the justice I deserve!"


    If the police sided with the Spencers,


    the story of them abusing their power would be all over the news, putting the family''s reputation in jeopardy. A big corporation couldn''t withstand that kind of scandal.


    a case from the


    Natalie recalled a


    previous year, where a famous


    entrepreneur was used of


    harassing an employee. The


    employee went live on social media with her story, and by the next day, thepany''s stock had.


    sales


    plummeted dropped by


    90% Within a


    Within a month, thepany dered bankruptcy. The power of public opinion was terrifying.


    Joanna was using the same tactic, and it was a viciously effective one. Everyone wanted a piece of the elite families forturies, and Mr Wilson''s partnership with Joanna was likely his way of trying to get his share.


    Natalie''s gaze shifted to Sebastian, her eyes filled with murderous intent. Was he part of this?


    Sebastian felt a chill as he met her hateful stare. Remembering the heavy blow that hadnded on her head, he knelt beside her. "Does it hurt?" he asked, reaching out to touch her head.


    It hurt terribly, but Natalie flinched away from him. "Don''t touch me. You''re disgusting."


    His pupils contracted. She thought he was dirty?


    "Natalie, you....." Before he could finish, Marshall interrupted him.


    "Natalie... Natalie..."


    He was finallying to.


    Arge lump was already forming on the back of Natalie''s head, the skin stretched tight and painful. But seeing Marshall awake, she managed a small, tearful smile. "Marshall, are you lucid now?"