Wendy, however, was in a panic, never expecting Joanna to be so prepared for her.


    She even had a psychiatric evaluation ready.


    "I''m not! Joanna, where did you get that report? I''ve never been to a hospital for an examination. I don''t have any mental illness! This is just an excuse you''ve


    concocted to maintain your image as a gentle, perfect damsel. But Joanna, what your family of three has done is disgusting. Nothing you do can ever make up for the pain you''ve caused me."


    Wendy emphasized again, "Everyone, I am not mentally ill. The ones who are sick are Nathan and Joanna. Joanna did this deliberately. She and Sebastian conspired against my daughter, Natalie. At her birthday party, they bribed a maid named Lily to help stage her own kidnapping."


    "That day, Sebastian even knocked my daughter Natalie unconscious. Their goal was to make me drive my own daughter out of the house, and I fell for it. I actually did it. So, I ask you all to consider this: I, Wendy, have nothing left now. Just you wait and see who ends up with mypany."


    Joanna was speechless.


    Wendy was as formidable as ever. Joanna knew she wouldn''t be easy to deal with, which is why she hade so prepared.


    But now, she was baffled. Why was Wendy dragging Sebastian into this?


    Sebastian remembered hitting Natalie. He had been genuinely furious at the time, seeing only the hurt in Joanna''s eyes.


    He hadn''t taken a moment to consider the truth, even as Natalie desperately pleaded, “Sebastian, I didn''t do it! Why don''t you believe me?"


    He had lost all reason and struck her.


    For that alone, Natalie could hate him for a lifetime.


    At the thought, he shot a nce at Natalie beside him.


    Her face was a nk mask, as if she were a mere spectator, coldly observing the unfolding drama.


    MURMURS RIPPLED through the crowd.


    "This is explosive. The fall of the Don Group might have been Joanna and Sebastian''s doing."


    "It''s possible. Everyone has seen how Sebastian spoils Joanna. I heard he even funded the movie she''s starring in."


    "I once saw Mr. Griffith rent out an entire shopping mall just for Joanna. No one dotes on her like he does."


    Several young socialites looked on, both excited and envious of Joanna.


    "I don''t care what kind of damsel she is, but I''m so jealous of how Mr. Griffith spoils her. I want a Mr. Griffith of my own."


    Listening to the whispers around


    him andparing them to the hurt


    he had inflicted on Natalie,


    Sebastian was struck by the realization that he had truly and utterly broken her Seeing her indifferent expression he finally couldn''t hold back and stepped forward, addressing Wendy. "Mrs. Scott, Natalie is the one who—"


    "Oh, look! It''s Sebastian, here to defend Joanna again. But I have nothing left now. You''re not trying to kill me, are you? Falsely u? Falsely decusing me of being mentally ill, having memitted, and then quietly getting rid of me?"


    "My Jared is already missing. I''m begging you, please, let me go. I truly have nothing left Nathan tricked me into marriage and disowned my four sons, mypany was stolen out from under me, and I''ve sold off all my assets. I have nothing. Please, just leave me alone."


    Wendy copsed onto the floor, sobbing.


    Her performance solidified her role as the victim.


    Joanna stared in stunned silence. She never thought she''d see the proud Wendy


    act like this.