Natalie simply offered a cold smirk, refusing to say another word.

Nathan, however, was panicking. His legs buckled, and he almost fell.

Assistant Miller anxiously held him up.

She had just secured her life of luxury; Nathan absolutely could not go bankrupt

now.

She was still dreaming of giving him a son to inherit his multi-million dollar empire.

"Nathan, please, calm down," she whispered urgently. "The doctor warned you not to get agitated, or you'll pass out. And if you pass out, you're at high risk for a stroke."

Nathan knew his health was failing. Frowning, he took a deep breath, suppressing the burning rage in his chest, and glared at Natalie. "Natalie... you're... I can't believe my entire plan fell apart because of you. You are truly pure evil."

Hearing the word "evil," Natalie felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion. Her mood plummeted. "If we're talking about evil, Nathan, no one compares to you. Even a monster cares for its own, yet you destroyed your own sons just to coddle an illegitimate daughter."

"Weren't you the one who wanted me dead?"

Nathan choked on his words. It was the biggest regret of his life.

No matter how useless his four sons were, they had at least respected him more than Joanna did.

Especially his eldest son and Jared-they had always treated him well.

Benson was coming back soon, and Nathan had been calling him constantly, praying Benson would take his side.

If he hadn't let Joanna and Sophia brainwash him, he never would have turned against his own boys.

Thinking about how his eldest son was now crippled, Jared was missing, and Colin's career was ruined, an agonizing regret clawed at his heart.

If he had just stayed with Wendy, he would be living like a king right now.

He shot Natalie a demonic, hateful glare. "You just wait, Natalie. I'm not going to let you get away with this."

Natalie sneered. He was still issuing threats at a time like this. He really was addicted to intimidating people.

"The day Mrs. Wilson went on vacation was the day you lost everything. And just so happen know she's already taken her parents on a nice, long trip

Nathan was speechless.

Pressing his lips together, his eyes brimmed with venom before he spun around and

stormed off. He needed to get to the company immediately.

He wasn't going to let anyone steal his empire.

"Let's go," Nathan snapped, dragging assistant Miller away.

Assistant Miller shot Natalie a provocative wink before following him.

Natalie was speechless.

She shook her head with a chuckle, though her smile quickly faded.

Watching her, Matthew felt a sharp pang of sympathy. "You've been through a lot because of these people, haven't you, Natalie?"

Natalie shook her head. "Not really, Matthew. It hurt at times, but it's just a part of life. My biological mother taught me a very valuable lesson. even your closest family members will hurt you without a second thought."

She didn't elaborate, but Matthew knew she had to be hurting inside.

She had grown up as an orphan. He had been exiled abroad since childhood, essentially living as an orphan himself. He knew exactly what that isolation felt like-the helplessness, the desperate yearning for a mother's love.

Cóntent

Only to be met with crushing disappointment, time and time again.

To cling to power, a mother really would abandon her own flesh and blood.

His own mother had been exactly that kind of person.

He had never experienced true family warmth either.

Matthew stood up, his eyes softening as he looked down at her pained expression.

"How about I take you for a walk, Natalie?"