Mrs. Spencer Sr. looked at her grandson, who had matured and grown moreposed. She saidfortingly, “Natalie, Marshall used to be just like Ms. Carrington. Seeing how much he''s grown in just a few short months is all thanks to you."


    Natalie would never take the credit. She smiled, looking at Marshall''s handsome face, and said softly, "Grandma, Marshall did it all himself."


    Marshall suddenly looked at her with deep affection.


    Natalie was taken aback. She didn''t understand the emotion in his eyes and quickly averted her gaze.


    Seeing her avoidance, Marshall''s expression dimmed slightly. "Natalie, it''s all because of you. If I hadn''t met you, I''d probably be aplete wreck by now."


    Natalie just smiled. "Let''s go. We should head back. It''s snowing heavily, and it''s going to get very cold."


    "Yes, yes, let''s go home," Mrs. Spencer Sr. agreed. After a moment, she asked, "Natalie, the holidays are in a month and a half. Where are you nning to spend them this year?"


    Natalie thought for a moment. "My brother and the others are out of the country and probably won''t be back for the holidays this year. My grandfather is traveling and definitely won''t be back either. I''ll decide what to do closer to the time."


    With a month and a half to go, she wasn''t worried about being alone. She could always celebrate with Luna and Keith.


    “Alright then! If your grandfather isn''t back, you shoulde celebrate with us," Mrs. Spencer Sr. said with a sincere invitation.


    Natalie smiled and nodded. "Okay! Grandma, we''ll talk about it then. Let''s get in the car, it''s freezing out here."


    The old woman finally got into the car.


    Marshall beamed. "Grandma, have the driver take you home first. I''ll take Natalie back."


    Mrs. Spencer Sr. smiled fondly. She truly liked Natalie, who was kind and resilient, much like she had been in her youth. "Alright, you take Natalie home. I wouldn''t feel right letting her go back by herself."


    After his grandmother''s car drove off, Sebastian arrived.


    With him were Matthew and Caleb.


    “Natalie, are you okay?" Matthew''s tall frame moved to Sebastian''s side as he looked at Natalie with concern.


    Natalie smiled and shook her head. "Mr. Monroe, I''m fine. It''s all been resolved."


    Matthew was relieved. He nced at Marshall, noting how quickly the guy had shown up.


    "Natalie, if anything like this happens again, you have to call me. I can find evidence" Caleb said, rushing over He had seen the news and had been incredibly worried.  fo


    Natalie knew he was now part of a researchb. The professor she had introduced


    him to was very fond of him. Caleb was truly brilliant.


    "Caleb, you''re in a critical phase of your research. You don''t need toe running


    for little things like this. Focus on your work."


    Caleb smiled, his heart aching as he


    saw her exhausted face. "This isn''t a you.


    little thing, Natalie. They


    As long as one is I''m around no


    going to hurt you."


    A dangerous glint shed in Caleb''s eyes, clear and unconcealed.


    Natalie smiled. This kid. Her efforts hadn''t been wasted on him.


    Surrounded by several handsome men, Natalie''s smile was bright and captivating.


    Then she saw Sebastian. What was he doing here?


    Sebastian looked at the three men around her and realized she never needed him when she was in trouble.


    She wasn''t the same Natalie anymore. He, Sebastian, was no longer the only person she needed.


    Remembering what Joanna had


    said—that she was pregnant with his child Natalie''s expression instantly turned cold Sebastian, nine o''clock tomorrow morning. I''ll see you at City Hall."