Joanna''s mind went nk at her words, a loud buzzing filling her ears. "Watch what you say, Mrs. Wilson!"


    What could this old woman possibly know? Her affairs had always been discreet.


    Even Sebastian had only recently grown suspicious of her involvement with Robert. She was someone who knew how to assess a situation. If she saw no future with a man, she would immediately shift her focus.


    And right now, she saw no future with Sebastian. She had to rely on herself.


    Better yet, she could make him feel guilty in the process. That was the power of Joanna''s charm.


    Sophia was also furious, shouting at Mrs. Wilson, "Mrs. Wilson, what nonsense are you spouting? In front of all these people, you''re ndering my daughter. Are you trying to ruin her life?"


    "I''ve already exined it. My daughter is three days older than Natalie. Wendy was the one who interfered in our rtionship."


    Mrs. Wilson looked at the heartbroken, weeping Wendy and sneered. "You two were sneaking around. It wasn''t just once or twice. My husband saw you and Nathan together on multiple asions. At first, we just thought you were friends, but today we finally realize you were lovers."


    "Everyone in our circle knows that Nathan was penniless when he was desperately chasing Wendy. The fact that this was marriage fraud has been confirmed."


    Mrs. Wilson''s words were sharp and relentless as she stared down Sophia.


    Sophia''s body trembled for a moment, herposure nearly shattering. Why, even now, was someone still standing up for Wendy?


    Nathan kept his head down. He had arrived at this high-ss banquet feeling proud and distinguished, but now his dignity was being trampled into the dust.


    He had deliberately pursued Wendy back then. She was naive, beautiful, and rich- the perfect woman to deceive. And he had seeded, enjoying over two decades of wealth and luxury.


    But to have it allid bare like this felt like a public execution, leaving him drowning in humiliation.


    But Mrs. Wilson wasn''t finished with them. She continued, "Swapping the two children was your conspiracy alt along. If Joanna had grown up with you, she would have been shunned as an illegitimate child. But by being with Wendy, she received the bast education and could use Wendy''s connections to marry into a wealthy family."


    "That''s how she became Sebastian''s fiancée."


    Mrs. Wilson''s words struck Joanna like a physical blow. Her poised figure wavered


    for a moment, and she nearly fainted. She took a sharp breath, staring in disbelief at the scene unfolding before her.


    This was not the oue she had wanted. She had wanted to see Wendy destitute, begging like a dog at her feet.


    She had wanted to grind Natalie under her heel, to crush herpletely.


    At the mention of Sebastian, Sophia puffed up with pride. "Mr. Griffith


    adores my daughter because she is country bumpkin


    outstandingphas


    Natalie with no education and no job, how can she possiblypare tomy daughter? Ten Natalies aren''t worth one Joanna."


    Wendy''s voice rose in a furious shout. "If you and Nathan hadn''t conspired to steal my daughter, my Natalie would be far more outstanding than Joanna!"


    Sophia was stunned into silence. Her own words had juste back to p her in the face.


    Natalie watched the scene with cold detachment. So now Wendy was defending her.


    She remembered the day she hade home, full of hope, with Jerome. Joanna had been there, crying, saying that Natalie had stolen everything from her.


    Wendy had seen Joanna''s tears and had turned to her with a cold expression. "Natalie, I know you are my biological daughter, but I raised Joanna with all my love From now on, you will live in this house as the adopted daughter. In this family, everything will revolve around Joanna."