Herbert: [Don't sweat it. There are four guys and two girls in the lab, plus me. Every single one of them is rock-solid trustworthy.]

Natalie didn't share his unwavering confidence. She knew Joanna was like toxic mold—she seeped into every crack and crevice. If this project launched smoothly, Joanna would never be able to pry back control of the Griffith Group.

[Understood. Thanks for holding down the fort lately, Herbert.]

Herbert: [What's there to thank me for? This is my dream too. If you hadn't put everything on hold for that scumbag Sebastian, this system would have hit the market ages ago and saved so many lives.]

On her side of the screen, Natalie offered an apologetic smile. She set her phone down and picked up a book from her desk, reading quietly while she waited for Luna and Marshall to return.

The room was peacefully quiet, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of turning pages.

About forty minutes later, Natalie's shoulders began to ache. She put the book down, rolled her shoulders, and checked the time. Why wasn't Luna back yet?

Just as she was about to call her, a knock echoed through the room.

Knock, knock.

Natalie smiled. "Come in."

Luna pushed the door open, looking flawless in a sleek black blazer that accentuated her sharp figure. Her long hair was tied back in a crisp ponytail, giving her a fierce, capable edge as she strode over. "Natalie, Robert went to see Mr. Wilson."

Natalie wasn't surprised in the slightest. Mr. Wilson was the only person Robert could realistically turn to right now, especially since the older man harbored the deepest hatred for Joanna.

Still, Joanna had moved with terrifying speed, snatching up the Warner family's key projects before anyone could blink.

"Robert got Joanna pregnant but refused to claim the baby," Natalie mused. "After being humiliated like that, she's never going to let him off the hook."

Natalie lightly traced the lines on her palm, playing with her fingers. "Robertzis a piece of trash. He's destined to be the loser in this game, just another stepping stone for Joanna

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"From the second Joanna targeted him and he decided to play her white knight, he had already lost."

The lucky ones were always inexplicably lucky.

Throughout her life, Joanna had been showered in ridiculous good fortune. She was like a favorite child of the universe-getting whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it.

Luna frowned, confused. "But what's the point of him seeing Mr. Wilson? It's not like the old man can bring the Warner family back from the dead."

Natalie shook her head. "He can't! But teaming up with Mr. Wilson gives him a shot at taking revenge on Joanna. A cornered animal will snap at any opportunity."

Luna took a seat across from her and revealed a takeout container "Natalle passed by your favorite BBQ spot on the way back and grabbed some ribs. Eat a little before you go to bed."

Natalie had smelled the mouth-watering BBQ the second the door opened.

She chuckled. "Luna, do you think I'm too skinny or something? Are you trying to fatten me up?"

Eating heavy BBQ this late at night was a fast track to ruining her waistline.

Luna grinned. "A few bites won't hurt! I only got you a small plate. I housed a giant portion myself, and Mr. Spencer practically cleared them out."

"Mr. Spencer was absolutely obsessed with the place you recommended. He said he's definitely going back."

Natalie found that highly amusing, but the rich, smoky scent was impossible to resist. "Alright, alright. I'll have some before bed."

She picked up a fork and dug in. The BBQ was genuinely incredible-smothered in

generous, bold spices and perfectly charred.

"Natalie, do you think Robert can

actually bounce back?" Luna had dug up plenty of dirt on Robert's illegal dealings. If she leaked it, he'd be locked up for decades. The man was covered in filth; no wonder Joanna found it so easy to play him. Cóntent