"Over the past half month, I sold all of my parents'' assets and paid off everyst penny of our debt."


    "What....." Nathan was stunned. "It''s... it''s only been twenty days, and you''ve paid everything off?"


    "Yes. Someone made a very high offer and bought all of my father''s properties. So I cleared the debts. I''m unemployed now, but I n on taking some time off."


    Nathan was speechless.


    He never would have expected this oue.


    Wendy had paid off her debts.


    He snapped back to reality as he saw Wendy enter Natalie''spany building.


    He started to follow but stopped short, remembering the purpose of his earlier visit. He didn''t dare go up again.


    Hearing that Wendy was debt-free made him feel even worse.


    He had abandoned her at her lowest point, and in less than a month, she hadnded on her feet.


    It was an incredibly bitter feeling.


    He felt like he''d just missed out on another fortune.


    Sophia had no skills of her own; she had spent her entire life living off the allowance he gave her.


    And arge portion of that money hade from Wendy.


    Did that mean that without Wendy, he was nothing?


    Nathan bit his lip, feeling like an absolute fool.


    Keeping a woman on the side was one thing.


    But divorcing his wife had been his greatest mistake.


    He could sense that even Joanna didn''t truly care about him.


    ...


    Natalie returned to her office, her mood foul.


    She had no desire to work. She sat on the rug, staring nkly out the window.


    As she watched the snowkes drift through the sky, her eyes were empty, and a cold, stabbing pain was all that remained in her heart.


    "Knock, knock..."


    The sound pulled Natalie from her thoughts.


    She slowly stood up and called toward the door, "Come in."


    Luna entered, looking just as conflicted. Wendy had pleaded with her for a chance to see her sister.


    Luna said, "Mrs. Scott is here to see you."


    Natalie knew "Mrs. Scott" meant Wendy.


    Was she also here to pressure her for money?


    Natalie was frustrated, but the woman was already here. She might as well see her.


    Her voice was slightly hoarse. "Let her in."


    Luna nodded and turned to leave.


    A momentter, Wendy entered, carrying the thermal container.


    She looked around Natalie''s office—spacious, bright, and very nice.


    She smiled. "Natalie, are you busy right now?"


    Natalie gestured to the sofa across from her, inviting her to sit.


    Wendy was thrilled. Natalie had asked her to sit.


    "Natalie, I made some soup. It''s cold outside, you should have some to warm up."


    Natalie let out a coldugh. "Mrs.


    Scott, your ex-husband was just


    here. When I refused to give him money, you decided to try a different tactic?"


    "Do you really think I''m the same old Natalie? That you can give me a piece of


    candy and I''ll obediently do whatever you want?"


    Wendy was shocked and angry. "Nathan came to ask you for money?"


    Natalie''s voice was frigid. "That''s right. You arrived just after he left. I don''t owe any of you anything, lived with the scott family for a year and even paid for my living expenses. Please, don''t disturb my life again."


    These people would never hurt her again.


    "And this soup... there was a time I would have cherished it, dreamed that my mother would make me a dinner I loved."


    "But that never happened. Since


    we''ve already cut ties, I hope we


    don''t see each other again


    happen to cross paths, let''s just pretend we''re strangers."


    Wendy''s tears began to fall. "Natalie, it''s not like that. You''ve misunderstood me."