Natalie looked over at Luna. "Luna, do you think Colin will come back? It's been exactly four years. In all that time, he finally reached out to me this year and sent me a massive cash transfer. My birthday is in two months. I want Liam, Noah, and Colin to celebrate with me this year."

Thinking of Colin, Luna couldn't help but feel he was incredibly stubborn.

Back then, watching Natalie constantly get trampled by her family yet still blindly chase their approval, Colin had been furious. He had packed his bags and moved abroad out of sheer frustration.

"He's definitely stubborn, but since he finally messaged you, I'm sure he'll come back for your birthday. Four years is a long time. No matter how angry he was, he's got to be over it by now."

Luna knew Colin hadn't truly abandoned Natalie; he just couldn't bear to watch her destroy herself. He hated seeing her throw away her own brilliant future for a family that despised her. If Natalie hadn't sacrificed her education and career for the Scotts, she would already be a reigning titan in the business world.

Natalie smiled. She missed Colin terribly. She hadn't seen him or Noah in three years. Noah would occasionally video call her, but he always hung up after a few brief minutes.

With a relaxed laugh, Natalie remembered how much Colin loved blue crabs. "Luna, when March rolls around, let's head down to the coast and catch some crabs. They're Colin's absolute favorite. If I catch them and cook them myself, he'll be thrilled."

Luna smiled, secretly envious of Colin. Natalie was going out of her way just for him. "Honestly, even if you bought them frozen from the supermarket and cooked them, he'd be over the moon. I know exactly how his mind works."

Natalie chuckled, her mood brightening considerably.

When they arrived at the company tower, Luna stepped out first and unfolded the wheelchair. The biting wind whipped around them. She pulled her puffer jacket tight before carefully helping Natalie out of the car, settling her into the chair, and draping a thick blanket over her legs.

Natalie shivered. The lack of snow somehow made the wind feel even more piercing.

She looked up at the towering Griffith Group skyscraper, gleaming in the pale winter sun. It was the absolute crown jewel of the city's corporate world, the ultimate destination for thousands of top-tier graduates every year.

Once upon a time, simply working here had been a distant dream. Now, she practically owned it.

Natalie smiled at the irony. Time changed everything.

"Let's head inside, it's freezing out here," Luna urged.

Natalie nodded. "Right! Oh, and Queena's flying back today. I need to text her and get her flight details so

we can pick her up. If there ar

any

banquets or events tonight cancel

them or send Keith."

Luna beamed at the mention of Queena. "Perfect. With Queena back, you won't be bored."

Queena always knew exactly how to lift Natalie's spirits.

She just hopped around the globe so much, Luna hoped she would stay grounded for a while this time.

"Got it," Luna said as she pushed the wheelchair through the sliding glass doors. "Wait, is that Mrs. Scott standing in the lobby?"

Natalie's gaze snapped to the center

of the expansive atrium. It was

indeed Wendy. She wore a sleek

black down coat, her hair pinned up elegantly. Her aristocratic grace was fully intact. Looking at Wendy's face, Natale saw echoes of her own features completely devoid of Nathan Scott's rougher traits.

The very first time Natalie had met her biological mother, she had instantly realized

that Wendy despised her.

Natalie sighed inwardly.

What was she even doing here?

Wendy had made her absolute disdain crystal clear. She should have honored their unspoken agreement: live their separate lives and never cross parts again To would have made everything so much easier.