Natalie glanced down at her foot. The last thing she needed was to get hurt again.

"Luna, tell Tyler and the others to be extra careful about the cars around us. I don't want to get injured again right before the New Year."

"From now on, whenever I go out, make sure all twenty bodyguards are with me."

She'd died once, and that had taught her to value life—and to fear death enough to fight for it.

Luna smiled. "Don't worry, Natalie. I've already arranged everything."

Natalie nodded. "Good."

She glanced at the scenery outside the window. The New Year was approaching, but the sky showed no signs of clearing up.

If anything, it was getting colder. It looked like another snowy night ahead.

"Work is done for the day," Natalie said. "Let's go home."

"Okay," Luna replied. "I had Caleb move into the apartment across the street. His old place was too far from the company."

Natalie thought Luna's arrangement was excellent. "Good."

Natalie glanced at Sebastian's office. She really disliked the dreary decor-all drab shades of gray and white. She preferred an office with a strong, three-dimensional feel, in shades of blue and white.

Sebastian was safe now. The incident with the Wilson family was likely his doing; the timing was too perfect.

As long as he was okay, that was all that mattered. She wouldn't fuss over the details or search for answers she didn't have.

After this ordeal, Sebastian would surely see Joanna's true colors.

Whether he did or not didn't really matter anymore. The important thing was that they were divorced.

She remembered something her grandfather used to tell her and her siblings when they were children: "My dears, to truly succeed in life, you have to walk through fire and come out stronger on the other side."

He was right.

Natalie turned off the light, and Luna pushed her wheelchair out of the office. Sebastian watched Natalie leave on the security feed and thought of Maxwell.

Joanna would definitely not let Maxwell stay idle.

Maxwell had been to prison twice,

both times because of Natalie.

that

Natalie was injured the

wouldn't miss this opportunity

Mamly

Sebastian sent a message to his bodyguard.

[Find out where Maxwell is. Keep an eye on him. If he gets near Natalie, protect her immediately.]

Bodyguard: [Understood, sir.]

Only then did Sebastian put his phone down and go to rest.

***

The drive home was uneventful, but Natalie remained on high alert.

When they arrived at the villa she shared with Sebastian, Natalie had Luna and the others rest on the first floor.

She then went to take a shower. After washing up, she changed into a thick set of pajamas and limped toward the bed.

A sharp pain shot through her injured foot as it touched the floor.

As she lay down on the bed, a dark figure emerged from behind the curtains.

Natalie froze, but she recognized the familiar silhouette. It was Maxwell.

She sat back up, her eyes darting to her phone on the nightstand. She quickly dialed Luna's number.

"Maxwell, was wondering when you'd make your move. I didn't run into you on my way back, and then I realized your predicament if you attacked me out in the snow, you wouldn't be able to stand the cold."

"So I started thinking, where would you choose to strike?"

"Hiding behind the curtains... must have been pretty humiliating for a spoiled rich boy like you."

Maxwell sneered. "Natalie, I'm surprised. You've got a sharp eye to recognize me so quickly."

Natalie retorted with a faint smile,, "Mr. Griffith, what I'm really surprised about is how you could be so stupid asto let Joanna use you as her pawn."

Maxwell's brow furrowed. "Natalie, what are you talking about?"