Downstairs, Jared's expression softened when he saw Joanna. "Joanna, we're leaving. Mom has disowned me, but don't worry, I'll be back to see you."

Joanna was stunned. Wendy had disowned Jared? What was going on? "Jared, what did she say? Why did she disown you? Is it because she still doesn't approve of you and Monica? But she seemed to have agreed just now!" Wendy's resolve this time felt unshakable.

Jared nodded, his face grim. He didn't know everything that was happening with the family or the company, and he couldn't help anyway. "Yeah, she doesn't approve. Her ideal daughter-in-law is Susan, but I don't like Susan. I only love Monica. Mom has always tried to control my life-what I major in, who I marry. She wants to dictate everything. She's not like you and Dad, who support whatever I want to do."

"She canceled all my cards. You'll have to handle things with Dad for now. I'll come take over once the wedding is sorted out."

Joanna was shocked. She was angry enough to cut him off financially? Had Wendy really just lost her temper, or had she discovered something?

"Jared, if she canceled all your cards, what are you going to do?" Joanna asked, a sense of urgency in her voice. She couldn't read Wendy's intentions anymore.

Jared looked just as confused. He didn't understand why his mother was acting this way either, but he knew it was related to both Natalie and Monica. "Don't worry, Joanna. I still have my entertainment company, and it's been making money. Mom is just trying to pressure me into giving up Monica, but I won't."

Monica beamed. Jared was completely devoted to her. With a confident look, Jared took Monica's hand and they left.

Joanna remained on the sofa, lost in thought. Her mother's decisiveness was unsettling, but as long as Jared didn't abandon her, it was fine. As long as he was tied to Monica, she could move on to the third brother.

A twisted smile played on her lips. Everything was going according to plan. It was just a shame that Marshall's father had only suffered minor injuries Damn it. How could he have been so lucky to walk away from such a severe crash with just a few scratches?

Joanna's lips tightened. Next up was the Wilson family. They were easier to deal with than the Spencers. The old man adored her and had i defenses against her. If she could

just get into his study, she could

steal a wealth of business secrets.

A triumphant smile spread across her face. You never should have come back to fight me, Natalie. In the end, she had won, and Natalie had lost everything. But the fact that Natalie was a designer and a doctor grated on her. She was just a girl from the countryside; how could she possibly be a designer? How could she know medicine? And the identity of the people who had raised her was a mystery-they seemed to be ordinary people.

It was all her father's fault for not strangling her at birth. None of this would be a problem now if he had just been more ruthless.

...

Natalie had just gotten into bed after her shower when her phone rang. She picked it up and saw the name: Susan. They hadn't spoken in a long time. It seemed Jared really was back.

She sat up and answered. “Susan, long time no see!"

"Natalie! I'm so sorry. I've been so busy since I started working at my family's company. I'm still learning the ropes."