"Natalie, Mom wants to make it up to you. Please give me a chance," Wendy said, seizing the opportunity.


    Ordinarily, it was difficult to even see her.


    Natalie shook her head. “I don''t need yourpensation. You didn''t raise me for a single day, and I''ve already repaid you. Let''s leave it at that. We can all go our separate ways."


    Natalie found them truly tiresome.


    They were all adults. They could live perfectly fine without each other.


    Wendy wanted to say more, but when she saw the cold look in Natalie''s eyes, she held her tongue.


    Perhaps not bothering her was thest kindness she, as a mother, could offer.


    She was outstanding, truly outstanding.


    Their favoritism had masked her brilliance.


    She hadn''t even been willing to let Natalie dress up, for fear she would steal Joanna''s spotlight.


    Joanna wore a five-million-dor custom diamond outfit, while she had brushed Natalie off with clothes that cost a few hundred dors. She really didn''t deserve to be a mother!


    She said in a low voice, "Natalie, if you run into any trouble in the future, don''t forget toe find me. I''ll always be your mother."


    "No, thanks. I''m better off without a mother. And you don''t have to feel bad. Our bond was broken before it even began. Just pretend you never had me as a daughter. Let''s face it—I haven''t exactly been a source of maternal pride for you thesest two years, either."


    "Maybe that''s just how it is when things aren''t meant to be. Just take good care of yourself."


    Natalie was veryposed as she said this, as if she were speaking to a stranger.


    A sharp pain shot through Wendy''s heart.


    Wendy said nothing more and left, pushing Jerome''s wheelchair.


    Joanna and Nathan didn''t leave.


    Joanna looked at Sebastian, who was sitting in the hospital room, and walked in. "Sebastian, what are you doing here? Aren''t you going toe keep mepany?"


    She deliberately made it sound suggestive.


    Sebastian shot her a cold nce. "Joanna, was I not clear enough, or are you deaf?"


    Natalie, who was just about to leave, was speechless.


    Huh! Were these two acting again?


    She looked at them. They were pretty convincing.


    "You two continue your show. I''m leaving."


    At the door, Natalie looked at Luna. “Luna, are youing?"


    Luna quickly got out of bed. "Yeah, sis, I''ming with you."


    Sean also scrambled out of bed. "Luna, wait for me."


    Sean put on his shoes and said, "Ms. Scott, regarding the little kidnapping stunt you pulled... I''m willing to?et the police walk away, but it''ll cost you ten million dors paid upfront


    Sean trembled at the sight of Joanna. He had sensed danger from her before.


    What happened yesterday was truly terrifying.


    Joanna was furious. "Sean, you and Susan were in on this together from the start, weren''t you?"


    Sean paused, then seeing her tremble with rage, heughed. "Conspired? I''m just basing it on your worth. For someone as nich as you, asking for any less would be an insult, wouldn''t it?"


    Bet


    Joanna was at a loss for words.


    You people are really something else!


    Sean ran off after Natalie.


    Sebastian fell silent.


    Natalie said he and Joanna were acting?


    He, Sebastian, wouldn''t stoop to that level.


    Sebastian also stood up and looked at Joanna, his eyes icy. "Get lost!"


    Joanna froze, then quickly grabbed his sleeve. No matter what, as long as Sebastian was on her side, it would infuriate Natalie.


    She exined tearfully, trying to sound wronged, "Sebastian, I know what I did yesterday was wrong. Please forgive me just this once. never do it again. You promised you would marry me. Are you going back on your word now?"