So, for her own parents, she was willing to forsake even her own son.


    Colin was devastated. So that''s what his mother thought of him. Was it only because he was Nathan''s son?


    Was that why she chose to abandon him?


    "Mom, can''t you just give me one chance?” he asked, his voice choked with tears.


    "No, Colin. You''re a grown man now. You can make your own decisions without asking me. If you have anything to discuss, go back and talk it over with your sister and your father. You three are a family now."


    Every word Wendy spoke felt like a knife in her own heart. This massive conspiracy had left her utterly exhausted.


    Finally, Wendy had onest demand. "Colin, if you don''t want anything to happen to me and your grandparents, then you will keep what you said tonight buried deep inside you. Don''t let Joanna know that I''m aware of your father and his mistress."


    Hearing this, Colin''s hand, holding the phone, dropped limply to his side.


    His mother truly didn''t want him anymore.


    After a long pause, he finally choked out, "Mom, I promise. I''ll keep changing until you''re satisfied. I''ll be the outstanding son you deserve. I''ll stay by their side, and I''ll tell you the moment I learn anything."


    Wendy didn''t agree or say another word. She just hung up.


    Lindsay frowned at her. "Wendy, I told you before, Colin has a good head on his shoulders. He could help you run thepany. Why did you...?"


    Wendy gave a bitter smile. “Lindsay, you don''t understand. He''s always been impulsive, never mature or stable. If I let hime back now, he''ll think everything is too easy."


    "Since he''s finally had his awakening, let him stay with Joanna. He can learn a thing or two from her and Sebastian''s methods. It will help him grow.”


    "Bringing him back to my side now would only hasten his death. Jared has already been saved by Natalie, and with her kind heart, I know she won''t abandon her brother."


    “Benson is even more stubborn. We might be able to bring Colin and Jerome back, but I''m afraid Benson is a lost cause."


    She stood up, her smile deste. "Lindsay, I was so foolish. Women really do get lost in a man''s sweet nothings."


    Lindsay looked at her with a concerned frown, her heart aching for her.


    "Wendy, your marriage may have been a fraud, but you''re incredibly sessful in your career. Life is never without its hardships. Just try to forget the past."  fo


    Though forgetting was impossible, all one could do was look forward.


    Wendy''s eyes turned icy and bloodthirsty, like a demon from hell. Her gaze was crimson. "Lindsay, let''s not talk about the past. As soon as Joanna transfers that money, sell. thepany to that buyer who approached us yesterday. It''s an empty shell, but we can get five hundred million for it. That''s a profit for us. That will be Natalie''s wedding gift. Even though she''ll probably never ept me as her mother, she''s a good daughter.”


    Wendy closed her eyes in pain. This was all she could do.


    Lindsay pursed her lips, saying nothing, her heart aching as she watched her friend suffer.


    Meanwhile, Joanna had also arranged matters for the Spencer family overnight. She stood by the window, watching the light snow fall. outside. The look in her eyes was as cold as the snow itself.


    She had already secured the west-side property. Marshall could no longer be kept around; he would only be an obstacle.


    He had only himself to me for picking the wrong side. By aligning with Natalie, he had sealed his own fate.


    She loved the thrill of making a monumental move while her opponent remained blissfully unaware.


    After standing there for a while, she called Horace.


    "Miss."


    Joanna asked, "Where is Sebastian?"