Seeing that Sebastian was still there, Joanna’s expression immediately shifted to one of fragile vulnerability.
“Natalie, how can you say such things? Every time you hurt me in the past, I begged everyone to forgive you…”
“Did you?” Natalie cut her off coldly. “How benevolent of you. And every time you begged them to forgive me, you made sure to recount every detail of how I supposedly wronged you, fanning the flames of their hatred so they would despise me even more and adore only you.”
“I can’t believe I wasted so many years competing with a clown like you. I finally realized that everyone around you is blind—not just blind, but cruel. No matter how good I tried to be, you would all just trample on me. And you succeeded, didn’t you? You played everyone for a fool and made them all hate me. That’s what you wanted.”
“Now, the Scott family despises me and has disowned me. I’ve even given you back the man you wanted. Yet you continue to provoke me, again and again.”
“Joanna, I’ve already died once. I have nothing left to fear. If you want to play, I’ll play with you until the very end.”
A chilling aura emanated from Natalie. She gave Joanna a cryptic smile, her chin held high—proud but not arrogant, confident but not conceited. In that moment, Joanna was struck by a profound realization. With her ink-black hair and eyes like brilliant jewels, Natalie possessed the cold, decisive authority of someone in a position of immense power.
And Joanna felt like a speck of dust in comparison.
Natalie’s presence was now one that commanded respect, even submission.
Joanna’s jaw went slack. This version of Natalie was far too dazzling, too formidable. She looked at Sebastian, whose face was an icy mask, his entire being radiating a detached coldness.
A shiver went down her spine. Tonight’s events had pushed him even further away. “Sebastian, say something,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “She’s clearly the one bullying me.”
Sebastian’s cold eyes met hers. “Joanna, the act is over. It’s quite disgusting, really.”

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