Joanna nodded through her tears. "Yes, he forced me. Afterward, I went to him to take responsibility, but he refused and even pressured me to get an abortion."


    "The baby was an ident. The only one I love is Maxwell, and that hasn''t changed all these years. If I had changed, how could Maxwell have possibly snatched so many deals from Sebastian?"


    She looked up at Timothy. "Mr. Griffith, you''ve seen everything I''ve done over the years. I''ve tried my best."


    "But after I got with Sebastian, all he gave me was financial support. The money he gave me every month was just to repay me for saving his life."


    "I could feel he was good to me, but I knew he never loved me. He doesn''t love anyone. Sebastian was raised in that environment you created for him; he doesn''t even know what love is."


    "Mr. Griffith, it''s been exhausting pretending in front of him. When are you finally going to make your move?"


    "Besides, he''s already suspicious about the car ident and the fire from back then. Our original n won''t work anymore."


    Even a monster doesn''t devour its own. She couldn''t fathom why Timothy was so hell-bent on destroying his own son.


    When he was a child, Timothy deliberately provoked him, making his life lonely and painful. After he grew up, there were all sorts of schemes and frame-ups.


    It wasn''t until Sebastian took control of the entire Griffith Group that Timothy''s methods became more restrained, tasking her with keeping a hold on Sebastian''s heart.


    But ever since her birthday party, when Natalie fainted and woke up, everything had slowly slipped out of her control.


    She had felt so tiredtely,pletely exhausted. She wanted someone to lean on, but in the end, she realized Sebastian was her best bet.


    Timothy narrowed his eyes, silent. Sebastian was going to investigate the past. When he thought about it, he''d always believed those incidents were idents, but now, Sebastian was questioning them.


    Damn it. All his ns had gone up in smoke.


    He looked at her coldly. "You''ve lost control of Sebastian. It''s time for Maxwell toe back."


    A sh of pleasant surprise crossed Joanna''s eyes. He could finallye back. He hadn''t been able to return all these years because Timothy felt the time wasn''t right. "Really? Mr. Griffith, are you really letting Maxwell return?"


    "My career needs a public face right now. As long as we work hard together, we can


    do even better without Sebastian."


    A strange glint shone in Joanna''s eyes. "Once Maxwell is back, we can use


    Sebastian''s reputation to secure a lot of deals."


    That was Timothy''s goal as well.


    He warned her coldly, "Joanna, I won''t tell Maxwell about your pregnancy. This is yourst chance. If you don''t seize this opportunity, don''t me Maxwell for being ruthless."


    "As for Sebastian, do your best to keep him steady. As long as he feels indebted to


    you for saving his life, it''s to our advantage."


    Joanna nodded slightly. "Alright."


    But she knew in her heart that Sebastian wouldn''t help her anymore. For that


    bastard Sean, Sebastian had mercilessly thrown her into the ocean.


    Timothy left, but Joanna''s mood lifted. He wasing back, and she could finally find some mentalfort.


    Sebastian woke up early the next day.


    As he opened his eyes, he saw Natalie was still fast asleep and smiled gently.


    She was still in the same position as


    She was such a heavy


    sleeper the world could end thes


    she''d probably sleep right through it.


    Sebastian slowly got up. He had slept wellst night and was in a good mood.


    He picked up his phone from the side table, took a picture of her sleeping, and saved it.