It was snowing, so the restaurants were bustling with customers.


    Sebastian randomly chose one and led Joanna inside.


    The high-end restaurant was quiet and well-appointed, with smoke extractors above each table whisking away the scent.


    Sebastian and Joanna took a seat by the window.


    After they ordered, they overheard Natalie''s cheerful voiceing from behind the decorative pir next to them.


    "Mr. Monroe, I have to go out of town tomorrow. I''ll probably be gone for about two weeks."


    Matthew smiled at her. "Where are you headed, Natalie? I just wrapped up my work overseas."


    "I won''t have to travel this winter, so I''ll be around. I ran into your older brother; he''s handling some things over there and won''t be back for a while. He asked me to look after you. I was nning to ask you to dinner today and start looking after you tomorrow, but now you''re leaving."


    "Yes, I''m visiting a friend. It should only be for about two weeks. Besides, I''m a grown woman. I can take care of myself."


    Natalie knew Matthew was sincere; his gaze was genuine.


    His words sent a warm feeling through her.


    Matthew smiled gently, his tone soft. "Your brother might not be back all winter. He''s working on a project overseas, and I''m partnering with him on it. But he''s giving his shares to you. He really cares about you."


    "If this project seeds, I estimate it could make over a billion.”


    Natalie beamed. "Yes, he has always been very good to me. I was just too foolish. I thought that if I returned to the Scott family, my other brothers would care for me too, that my parents would value me. I never imagined I''d nearly lose my life there.”


    "But I''ve learned my lesson, and my brother doesn''t hold it against me. He''s the best family in the world."


    Natalie knew that her brother truly cared for her.


    She would never be so foolish again.


    After learning her story, Matthew also despised the Scott family.


    "Natalie, you did nothing wrong. Don''t keep feeling guilty about it. It''s winter now, and your brother actually wanted you to go abroad with him. He said it''s beautiful there this time of year. He was worried about you being here alone, but he also said you probably wouldn''t want to go because you have things to do here."


    Matthew secretly hoped she would stay. He felt at ease with Natalie.


    No other woman had ever made him feel this way.


    "I do have a few things to take care of. He''s working so hard to build his career, and


    I want to be a sessful woman in my own right."


    She couldn''t rely on her brother to protect her forever.


    She needed to be strong enough that no one would dare to cross her.


    She would be her own queen.


    Matthew watched her, her smile so confident that she seemed to glow.


    She loved to wear pink coats, which made her look even more radiant. Her smooth skin made one want to take a bite, just to taste her sweetness.


    He chuckled softly. "Natalie, you''re so beautiful."


    The words slipped out before he could stop them, and the tips of his ears turned red.


    Natalie paused, then smiled. “Mr. Monroe, you''re very handsome yourself."


    “Haha.......” Matthewughed, pleased by herpliment.


    “Natalie, you always say the most charming things."


    He couldn''t help but steal a few more nces at her. Well, he is a man - and we all know what that means when ites to looks. Natalie was beautiful, and every time he saw her, she seemed to radiate a light that drew his eyes to her.


    Natalie lowered her head to eat a meatball. Suddenly, a dark shadow fell over her. A familiar presence filled the air and the meatball she had just picked up dropped back into her bowl.