Joanna took a deep breath, a tightness in her chest making it hard to breathe. She forced herself not to dwell on it.


    No matter how much she thought about it now, it was useless.


    Wendy would never be her mother again.


    And if Wendy knew Joanna was the one who ruined herpany, she wouldn''t spare her, given her methods.


    Joanna closed her eyes and rested on the sofa, waiting for news from her mother.


    ***


    When Natalie woke up, it was already afternoon.


    She looked out the window and saw that it was already dark. In the winter, the sky waspletely ck before six.


    She sat up and stretched, feeling refreshed after her nap.


    Her long hair was wrapped ufortably around her neck. She pulled it free, and her neck instantly felt much better.


    She got out of bed to wash up. When she returned, she picked up her phone and saw messages from Zenobia and Susan.


    Susan: [Natty, thanks for dinner! It was so extravagant. I''m sure I gained a pound today.]


    Natalie''s lips curved into a smile. When had she prepared dinner for them?


    An expensive lobster feast, no less?


    Suddenly, Natalie remembered something. She quickly went out and saw the lights on in the living room.


    Sebastian''s tall figure was sitting on the sofa with aptop on the coffee table. He was in the middle of a video conference.


    He sat there poised, radiating an unapproachable aura.


    Voices came from the other side, and he listened intently, asionally giving a slight nod or offering a briefment.


    They say a man at work is the most handsome, and she had seen Sebastian in work mode many times.


    So, when Sebastian said he would stay with her, he really had been here the whole time.


    Knowing he was in a meeting, she didn''t disturb him and quietly sat on another sofa. Sebastian''s arrival had disrupted the three women''s ns.


    When Sebastian saw she was awake, he said a few words into the video call and then ended the meeting.


    He closed hisptop, stood up, and looked at Natalie. "You''re awake."


    "You''re still here?"


    She really didn''t want to be in the same space as him.


    It was too suffocating being with him, which was why she''d made an excuse to get some air.


    And by some coincidence, she had run into Sebastian again.


    And Sebastian had stayed in her suite all day.


    How strange!


    "Oh," Natalie replied coolly.


    Sebastian pointed to the dining area, his voice slightly hoarse. "Come on, let''s have dinner There''s lobster which you love, and some braised beef."


    Working here today had given him a taste of a rxed and carefree time.


    Being with Natalie, his heart could quickly find peace.


    It used to be like this, but Joanna''s return had shattered the tranquility.


    Natalie thought of the dinner Susan had messaged her about and suddenly felt a sense of anticipation for tonight''s meal.


    A faint smile touched her lips, and her tone was casual. “Mr. Griffith, are you nning on not leaving tonight either?"


    Sebastian walked over and sat downnguidly on a chair. He stretched out his long legs, his posture rxed, and replied slowly, "Is it strange for me to stay here? Aren''t we married? Are you trying to Rick me out?"


    His voice was low, and he dragged out the word ''married,'' as if deliberately reminding Natalie of their status as husband and wife.


    Natalie was furious. She didn''t know when Sebastian had be such a rogue.


    She walked over and looked at the


    bet


    dinner on the table, her eyes shining


    with surprise, can''t be get


    lobsters like these this time of year."


    Sebastian raised an eyebrow slightly. "As long as you want to eat them, you can have them whenever you like."


    Natalie sat down and began to eat, ignoring his words. She didn''t believe him anyway.


    Seeing therge lobster, she picked it up with her hands and began to eat.


    Sebastian knew she would like it. A smile yed on his lips, casual and unrestrained.