Sebastian knew that Natalie might never forgive him, but he was determined to demolish every obstacle in her path and ensure her life was perfectly smooth.

Whatever she wanted, he would fight to get it for her.

Observing Sebastian's every reaction, Sean realized something very clearly: Sebastian was drowning in regret.

Usually, this would be the perfect moment for Sean to make a sarcastic remark, but this time, the words died in his throat.

The sheer agony on Sebastian's face only earned Sean's pity. Back then, Sebastian simply hadn't understood how to love.

Having fought alongside him to build his empire, Sean knew exactly how brutal Sebastian's journey had been.

"Sigh. Boss, I've known her for years, and I've never seen her this happy."

Seeing Natalie so joyful made Sean genuinely happy as well.

Her smile was breathtaking and healing, instantly chasing away any gloom.

Hearing Sean's words, Sebastian's hands, resting on his knees, clenched into tight fists.

That beautiful smile used to belong exclusively to him.

Matthew, that bastard, was moving in on his territory.

If this were the past, he wouldn't have just sat there and taken it. He would have marched right over, mocked Natalie relentlessly, and demanded to know why she was laughing so casually with another man.

But now, what right did he have to say anything?

He had been the one to drive her away.

As for Matthew, given enough time, his kindness and excellence would undoubtedly win Natalie over.

No. She was the one he had lost, and he swore to win her back.

Knowing he still had a chance, Sebastian looked back at Natalie, only to see Nathan and a woman approaching her table. He frowned, his eyes turning icy. What was Nathan doing here?

Natalie was deeply immersed in her conversation with Matthew when she suddenly spotted Nathan, catching her completely off guard.

Nathan was having the best year of his life. He had finally dumped that shrew, Sophia, stolen trade secrets from her, and snatched Mr. Wilson's company. Now, parading around with his young, beautiful assistant, he was on top of the world.

His only frustration was his declining performance in the bedroom, forcing him to rely on medication every single time.

But Joanna had recently called to inform him that Natalie wasn't even his biological daughter. He had been utterly shocked. It meant Wendy had been sleeping around back then and had gotten pregnant with Natalie.

The realization that Wendy had cuckolded him was a tough pill to swallow.

Perhaps Wendy had been overcompensating out of guilt. After giving birth to Natalie, Wendy had treated him so well that he honestly believed he had hit the jackpot by marrying her.

It turned out she was just drowning in a guilty conscience!

Nathan was furious. "Natalie, so you're just the bastard product of your mother's affair? Thank God I never acknowledged you as my daughter, or I would have died of sheer humiliation."

Now that he had seized all of Mr. Wilson's assets, his business was booming.

He fully believed that one day, Natalie, Wendy, and his ungrateful sons would all come crawling back, begging for his mercy.

Yet, the thought of Wendy's betrayal still fueled a deep, burning resentment inside him.

Natalie stared at him quietly for a

moment before letting out a

momet

mocking taugh. "That's fantastic news tm thrifted to know! tainted by your filthy blood. It's an absolute honor to have zerogenetic connection to a shameless woman like Joanna."

Nathan stumbled back, stung by her words, and glared at her darkly. "Natalie... how dare you call my blood filthy... A bastard who doesn't even know who her real father is has no right to judge me!"