Marshall looked up to see Sebastian's dark, handsome face. He turned to Natalie, feigning fear. "Natalie, look! He's scaring me. His eyes are so cold, I'm terrified."

Marshall instantly played the victim, putting on a frightened act.

Natalie couldn't help but laugh at his antics.

He was such a drama queen!

She looked over at Sebastian, who stood there exuding a wild, untamed aura that was utterly captivating.

With a complicated expression, she said to him, "Mr. Griffith, if you have something to attend to, please go ahead."

Sebastian's gaze deepened as he looked at her. "You're my date tonight."

Natalie glanced around the ballroom and frowned. "This isn't a major event. Mrs. Wilson just invited everyone here to watch a show. The show's over, and now everyone's free to mingle. It doesn't matter if I'm with you or not, so you should go do your own thing."

She wanted to keep her distance in public; the last thing she needed was to be linked with Sebastian.

She had her own plans, and besides, Sebastian hadn't helped Joanna tonight.

Now, Joanna would surely try to secure her hold on Sebastian's heart. That meant once Maxwell was out of prison, Joanna's schemes against her would follow one after another.

So, while the drama was only going to get more interesting, the danger for her would also escalate.

Suddenly, Sebastian's tall figure sat down beside her.

Marshall shot him an angry glare.

"Mr. Griffith, shouldn't you be with your first love? What's the deal with interrupting us? Can't you see we're having dinner?" Marshall complained, but his charming eyes held a hint of defiance.

Sebastian knew Marshall was doing it on purpose, but he dismissed him as just a kid.

"Natalie, what do you think of my looks?" Marshall asked suddenly, tilting his handsome face toward her.

Natalie was slightly taken aback. What was Marshall up to?

Still, she played along, smiling as she answered, "You're very handsome! And you have a great presence!"

Marshall wasn't satisfied with her answer. He narcissistically listed his own merits, "Natalie, when it comes to fooks, I'm drop dead gorgeous. terms of ability, I'm outstanding. And age-wise, we're a perfect match."

"Unlike some

he old geezer who's not

ét

only old but also slow-witted. Natalie, if you get divorced, could be the first one you consider? I'll keep getting better and better Plus, my thesis was just approved and my professor said I'm brilliant."

The corners of his mouth lifted into a confident, devilishly charming smile that seemed to have a magnetic pull.

Natalie froze for a moment, suddenly regretting that she'd answered his question.

She glanced over at Sebastian,

whose expression was absolutely foul. He looked like a predator-

whose prey was being coveted and

his cold fierce gaze looked ready fo tear Marshall apart.

Natalie knew Sebastian didn't actually care about her; it was more like his personal property was being fought over. He had a strong sense of territoriality.

The air around them instantly dropped a few degrees.

Marshall met Sebastian's murderous glare and deliberately shrank back, grabbing Natalie's arm. "Natalie, that old man's stare is so scary. He's frightening me again." Natalie: "..."

This drama queen..... she almost burst out laughing.

How had she never noticed Marshall was such a pot-stirrer before?

Natalie decided to play along, frowning at Sebastian. "Mr. Griffith, your expression is

too severe. You're scaring Marshall."

"Marshall," Sebastian growled through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on her.