Natalie stared at Sebastian in stunned silence, then let out a bitterugh.


    "Sebastian, it''s clear you''ve never known a thing about me. I, Natalie, am far more aplished than you."


    “I skipped grades my whole life. I finished my university studies at seventeen. By eighteen, I had dual degrees in both Western and traditional medicine from universities here and abroad."


    "During the two years I took care of you, right under your nose, I earned another dual master''s degree in design from a prestigious international university."


    “Sebastian, we lived together for two years, and you never once bothered to get to know me. So, trust me when I say this: I am out of your league."


    Natalie pulled out her phone and disyed her graduation certificates. "Take a good look. This is what the ''country girl'' you all looked down on has aplished over the years, all the degrees and schrships."


    She was afraid. She was afraid this bastard would actually try to send her abroad.


    He had nned to do so in her past life, just to get her out of the way so he and Joanna could be together.


    That was why she had to fight this so hard.


    Why? Because she wasn''t strong enough to beat Sebastian yet. She needed more time.


    Sebastian nced at her phone and scoffed. "Natalie, do you think I don''t know what you''re made of? In the two years you took care of me, what did you do besides experiment in the kitchen?"


    "Maybe Joanna did y a part in tricking you, but you''re a natural-born liar yourself." “Is it so hard to admit that your life is a failure?”


    "Is it so hard for you to admit that I''m brilliant?" Natalie asked, her voice choked with tears.


    She knew he didn''t believe her.


    And he didn''t. He''d had her investigated. Her background was clean-she grew up in the countryside. When his brother picked her up, she was covered in mud.


    "Natalie, I know you''re upset about what happened, but the best thing you can do is improve yourself."


    "I''ve already contacted a few universities abroad..."


    "Shut up! Who do you think you are? What right do you have to dictate my life?"


    Natalie shot him a cold warning. Just then, Luna''s car pulled up. She opened the door and got in.


    Sebastian stood rooted to the spot, his face dark, as he watched the car speed away.


    He believed Natalie knew some medicine, but she couldn''t be as skilled as she imed. He did believe she was a designer, though; her work was excellent.


    Sebastian turned and got into his own car parked nearby. He drove back to the estate. As angry as he was, he had only followed her because he was worried she might be in danger.


    Now that the danger was gone, he could rest easy.


    Back home, Natalie soaked in a hot bath. Lying in bed afterward, she reyed Sebastian''s words in ker mind and felt herself on the verge of breaking down


    He was arrogant and selfish. Why should she let a scumbag''s words make her physically ill with stress?


    "Argh!" Natalie rolled over in anguish.


    "Damn you, Sebastian!" She rolled again, this time tumbling right off the bed and onto the floor.


    "Hmph!" She stood up and looked out the window, muttering to herself with a cold smile, "Whatever. Why should I be so upset? As long as I know my own worth that''s all that matters."


    Natalie took a deep breath, trying to suppress the pain in her heart.


    She closed her eyes, but the tears finally broke through.


    It still hurt so much.


    Who was it that said if you tilt your head up, the tears won''t fall?


    She had her eyes squeezed shut, so why did her heart still ache so badly?