She knew exactly how to hit Nathalie where it hurt the most.


    Nathalie tried her best to calm her aching heart, telling herself, "It doesn''t really matter. Whether he forgets me or remembers me, it''s all the same. The important thing is, I''ve decided to help him until he doesn''t need me anymore. When that dayes, I''ll step back from your world. I promise I won''t cause any sadness."


    Ashley was taken aback by Nathalie''s straightforwardness and honesty. It left her with nothing to criticize.


    "You better mean what you say."


    As Ashley got up to leave, she paused at the door and added, "Oh, by the way, the Rond family has been stirring up troubletely. They won''t let him out easily."


    With that, she marched out.


    Nathalie was left reeling from Ashley''s words. The Rond family was Nathan''s backbone; how could they betray him like this?


    Thinking about the billions in assets at Maple Company and Morris''s moves against the Rond and McCoy family funds, Nathalie couldn''t shake the feeling: Was Nathan walking into this willingly?


    What kind of desperation drove him to sacrifice his future like this?


    Nathalie clenched her fists, a wave of anger washing over her.


    Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Officer Baldwin: "Retrialing up, No. 13 wants you to hire Scottie."


    Though brief, Nathalie got the message loud and clear.


    She shot up from her seat, grabbing her phone and coat in a rush. "Lizzy, get the car ready. I''ve got to head out."


    "On it," Lizzy replied.


    At Scottie Law Offices, Nathalie stood outside a massive circr building, her eyes fixed on the "Scottie Law Offices" sign high above, a frown forming on her face.


    A ck swallow carved into a stone pir at the entrance caught her eye.


    "Is this building owned by the Rond family?" Nathalie turned to Lizzy.


    Lizzy, equally surprised by the swallow, nodded. "Sis, if Scottie is renting from Rond Corporation, they must be pretty tight. Do you think Scottie will take on your case against the Rond family?"


    Nathalie gritted her teeth. "Where there''s a will, there''s a way."


    She silently vowed, "For Nathan, I have to get Scottie on board, no matter what."


    Nathalie and Lizzy took the elevator to the seventh floor where Scottie Law Offices was located. As they stepped out, they unexpectedly ran into Paige and Benjamin.


    Benjamin greeted Nathalie with an awkward smile. "Nathalie, what brings you here?"


    Paige, always quick with a jab, smirked. "Most of this floor is rented bywyers. Ashley, are you in some legal trouble?"


    Nathalie didn''t hold back. "Isn''t thedy here too? Could it be that you''re tangled up in legal issues as well?"


    Paige''s face darkened, and she let out a disdainful snort.


    Nathalie walked past her confidently. Paige didn''t leave right away; she kept her eyes on Nathalie''s destination.


    When she saw Nathalie stop at the door of Scottie Law Offices, her expression shifted.


    She then exhaled smugly, taunting Nathalie, Ashley, you''re a bitte Scottie has already agreed to serve Rond Corporation exclusively this year. No room for outside clients."


    Nathalie bit her lip, internally kicking herself for missing the chance. But she challenged, "Has Paige signed a contract yet?"


    Paige replied, "With my close friendship with Sarah, just a word will do. No need for a contract."


    Nathalie shot back, "The most unreliable thing in this world is the so-called friendship between besties."


    With that, Nathalie knocked on the door.