On Tuesday, Weston took Natalia to the beach. They strolled along the coastline as the waves hit the shore with a pleasant sound. Natalia wore a white dress that fluttered gently in the sea breeze.

Weston looked at her, his eyes full of love. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew her hat away, and she instinctively chased after it. Weston was quick, catching the hat and placing it back on Natalia’s head. He said softly, "Careful, don't trip."

Natalia looked up at him, their gazes meeting, and her heart couldn't help but race.

On Wednesday, Weston took Natalia to a private cinema. They chose a romantic love story and sat on a comfortable sofa in the quiet environment.

As the movie began, Natalia was gradually drawn into the plot, while Weston kept stealing glances at her. When the leads in the movie shared a deep embrace, Weston gently took Natalia’s hand, and she didn't refuse.

Weston slowly placed her hand on his leg, stroking it gently. Natalia’s body gave a slight shiver, but she didn't pull her hand away.

With every day’s date, Weston used his actions to slowly break down the boundaries in her heart. In Natalia’s mind, the image that used to be just a brother gradually blurred, replaced by a man who made her heart race.

Chapter Seventeen

The night in the North was freezing, the wind piercing, and the streets were sparse with pedestrians.

In Sebastian’s villa, the lights were dim, and the air was thick with the heavy scent of alcohol. He sat on the floor by the sofa, clutching a bottle of whiskey, his eyes hollow as if all life had been drained from him.

He had been drinking like this for a whole month. During this time, he went nowhere and did nothing except drink incessantly.

His friends took turns trying to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen to anyone. His world seemed to consist only of alcohol and the silhouette of the person who had left.

The friends stood not far away, watching Sebastian’s decadent state, and couldn't help but huddle together to whisper.

"What’s happened to him? Even when big things happened before, he was never like this." Someone frowned, concern in their tone.

"I think it’s because of that plan. He worked on it for three whole years, only for it to stop so abruptly. He’s frustrated, so he’s using alcohol to vent," another analyzed.

"Is it really that serious? Seb has seen all sorts of storms over the years. Would a failed plan turn him into this? I think he’s just in a bad mood and wants to drink," someone countered.

"Bad mood? Why would he be in a bad mood? Isn't Natalia already gone? The plan failed, and there’s no word from Weston’s side. What else is there to be bothered about?" another chimed in.

"Do you think... could it be because of Natalia?" someone asked tentatively.

"Natalia? No way! Didn't he always treat her like a tool? How could he be in a bad mood because of her?" someone scoffed.

"But don't you think he’s been acting too strange lately? Before, no matter how much he drank, he wouldn't be like this—completely disregarding everything." Someone said in a low voice.

"Yeah, I think something’s wrong too. Do you remember that day in the gala hall? He smashed the whole place—he looked absolutely insane." Someone recalled.

"I think he might be..." Someone hesitated.

"Might be what?" the others pressed.

"Might be... in love with Natalia," the person finally voiced their suspicion.

The group froze, then burst into laughter. "No way! How could he fall for her? He’s Sebastian!"

Just then, a female voice cut in coldly. "Stop guessing. He’s just heartbroken and drowning his sorrows in drink."

The group turned to find Chloe standing behind them. Her expression was grim, and there was a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"Miss Chloe, why are you here again?" someone asked nervously.

Chloe let out a cold laugh. "Why can't I be here? Didn't you say Natalia already broke up with him? That means he’s mine now. What’s wrong with me coming to see him?"

"Miss Chloe, don't make a scene. He’s in a bad mood; you’d better not provoke him." Someone advised.

"Provoke him?" Chloe’s voice rose sharply. "Do you know that just yesterday, he called my father to cancel the engagement! My father refused and went to see him, only to walk in on him arguing with his own father. His father also refused to cancel the engagement, but he insisted. His father wanted to use family discipline, and he ended up being whipped 99 times! Even so, he still insisted on canceling the engagement!"

The group was struck with shock. Someone hurried forward and pulled back Sebastian’s blazer. Sure enough, his back was covered in blood-red whip marks; the wounds were untreated and had soaked through his shirt.

"Seb, why did you do this? The cooperation between the two families is a powerful alliance—you were never against it before. Why must you cancel it now, no matter what?" someone couldn't help but ask.

Chloe sneered. "I told you, because he’s fallen for someone else. He’s in love with Natalia. He meant to use her, but he ended up getting himself trapped. Don't you think it’s hilarious?"

The men looked at each other, unable to find a rebuttal. Someone whispered, "It can't be, right? How could he fall for her?"

"Why not?" Chloe’s voice was shrill. "Look at him now! If he didn't love her, why would he cancel the engagement for her? Why would he take 99 lashes for her?"

The crowd fell silent. They recalled Sebastian’s abnormal behavior during this period, and their hearts began to waver.

"Seb, do you really love Natalia?" someone asked tentatively. They looked at him again and asked cautiously, "Is what she saying true?"

Sebastian, who had been silent, suddenly smashed the bottle in his hand. It shattered into pieces on the floor, alcohol splashing everywhere.

He looked at the crowd with bloodshot eyes and said hoarsely, "Yes, I am in love with her! So what? Is that not allowed?"

Chapter Eighteen

These past few days, his life had been agonizing. He spent his time drinking while clutching his phone, the screen displaying the text he had looked at over a thousand times—"Let's break up. I don't love you anymore."

Every time he read it, images of Natalia’s smiling eyes would flash through his mind. It was as if she was carved into his memory, impossible to erase. Whether awake or asleep, his mind was filled with her. Her silhouette, her voice, even her faint scent—all were like invisible shackles tightly binding his heart.

Sebastian never thought he would become like this. He was once the high-and-mighty, cold-blooded man who would stop at nothing for revenge. But now, he was like a despondent drunkard, immersed in alcohol and memories all day, unable to pull himself out.

He didn't understand why he was in so much pain. Natalia was gone, but her departure felt like his heart had been ripped out. He had a faint inkling of the reason, but he was always unwilling to admit it—or rather, he didn't dare to.

He was afraid to admit he had fallen for her, afraid to admit that the woman he once viewed as a tool had long ago become an indispensable part of his life.

But at this moment, he could no longer hold it back. Looking at his shocked friends, he emphasized again.

"I am in love with her! To hell with that revenge plan; I ended up losing myself in it! Now she’s gone, and I’m here in agonizing pain!"

His voice echoed through the villa, carrying long-suppressed pain and anger.

Chloe stood to the side, her eyes turning red instantly. Seeing the person she loved in such agony made her heart feel like it was being cut by a knife.

The next second, she slammed her own bottle down, her voice sharp. "If you love her, then go after her! Beg her, coax her, kneel, be relentless! Just get her back! What good does sitting here drinking yourself to death do?"

Sebastian froze, a hint of daze in his eyes. "Can I still get her back? Will she still forgive me?"

Chloe’s voice carried a slight tremor. "Are you willing to die for her?"

Sebastian answered without a moment’s hesitation. "I am."

His friends looked at him in shock, stammering as they stared at this man who was so different from before. "Holy... holy shit... Seb, are you... for real?"

Chloe sneered and directly handed him a plane ticket. "If you’re willing, then go get her back! Here is a ticket for the latest flight today. Go bring her back! If you don't, I’ll look down on you!"

Sebastian’s eyes cleared instantly, as if he had been woken by a bucket of cold water. He grabbed a bottle of liquor and poured it over his head; the icy sensation brought him completely to his senses. He stood up, his voice firm. "I’m going after her."