Joanna was coming apart at the seams. Her empire had been a well-oiled machine for years, but now, the gears were grinding to a halt.

Could Natalie have found out about the secret company she had established?

She must have. Joanna suddenly remembered Natalie going to Wye to save Marshall. She had thought her plan was flawless, but in that moment, the pride and confidence she had built over the years were shattered.

Damn it, how did Natalie figure it out?

If Natalie had been aware of her plan back then, what about Wendy's company?

An idea flashed in Joanna's mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

Seeing her silent for so long, Maxwell Griffith called her name again. “Joanna, why aren't you saying anything?"

Joanna snapped back to reality and slowly explained, "There was a problem with the acquisition of Mr. Wilson's subsidiary, but it's under control. Nora will handle it."

"But we'll still suffer a major loss."

Joanna gripped his hand tightly, her tone grave. "Maxwell, we need to speed things up. It looked like we won with Mr. Wilson, but in reality, it was all for nothing. I threw everything away for you. I betrayed Sebastian, I stained my hands with blood again and again... I'm begging you, don't let this be for nothing!"

Joanna's hand trembled slightly. Today, her plan for Yves's company had also failed.

This kind of overwhelming defeat made Joanna's whole body ache. Starting with Marshall—no, starting with Wendy's company-it felt like she had been failing constantly.

Maxwell Griffith smiled gently. "Joanna, it's not all for nothing. With these companies in our hands, we can earn even more money in the next two years."

Joanna didn't respond. At this moment, she was doubting herself. Where had her previous confidence and certainty come from?

Was it Maxwell Griffith, or herself, who had given her the conviction to do all this?

She remembered the scene of Maxwell Griffith committing suicide in front of Natalie's memorial tablet, and a lump formed in her throat. A lump formed in her throat as she barely managed to whisper "Maxwell, do you really love me?"

After asking the question, Joanna felt as if she had lost all her courage.

She turned her head, looking at Maxwell Griffith with a lost expression. He was the man she had fallen for when she was young and naive. Two lines of tears slowly streamed down her face.

Maxwell Griffith was nearly identical to Sebastian, with the same sharp, handsome features. People who didn't know them well couldn't tell them apart.

Maxwell Griffith smiled gently. He tilted his head slightly, his throat tightening as he swallowed hard.

His voice was just as gentle. “Joanna, don't you already know whether I love you or not?"

Joanna took a deep breath and wiped away the betraying tears. But in her dream, Maxwell Griffith had killed himself after she forced his hard for betraying her, and she hack become the business queen she always wanted to be.

Joanna took another deep breath. That was her dream, and no one could stop her from achieving it.

Maxwell Griffith didn't know what Joanna was thinking. The current Joanna was a puzzle he couldn't solve.

Maxwell Griffith smiled and

reminded her, "Joanna, don't worry

too much. After the New Year, there's a top-tier business summit.

All the big players in the business world will be there. We'll be able to find better opportunities."

Joanna knew about this summit. It was an invitation-only event for entrepreneurs

from Yaro and wealthy individuals from all over the country.

This summit was their best chance.

"Maxwell, with you taking on Sebastian's identity, you're sure to secure a lot of partnerships."

The dejected Joanna quickly regained her spirits.