As soon as the words left his mouth, Sebastian's big hand clamped down on Joey's shoulder before she could react.

His face was dark, eyes glaring at Leonard. "No way! She's mine," he said, each word icy.

Sebastian was fuming. He saw right through Leonard's act. Pretending to be a girlfriend? Yeah, right. He wanted to make it real. Sebastian had worked hard to keep Julian and Maxwell away from Joey. No way was he letting another guy get close. If Leonard hadn't saved Joey, Sebastian would've punched him.

Leonard glanced at Sebastian, then politely looked at Joey. "Sorry if I made things awkward, Ms. Blackwood. Just forget it. No need to pay me. You can go."

He nodded and was about to lie down when Joey's voice came from the room. "I agree."

Sebastian's grip tightened, pulling Joey into his arms, eyes full of emotion. "Joey, don't trust him. He's playing you."

Joey stepped back, breaking free. "I can judge for myself. No need for your concern, Mr. Winters. We're done. Remember?"

Her words stung Sebastian. The more heartless he had been to Joey, the more it hurt now.

He clenched his fist, voice hoarse. "Joey, you'd rather trust a stranger than me?"

Joey smiled faintly. "Didn't you do the same? You trusted Isabella and pushed me to the edge."

Sebastian was speechless.

He stared at Joey for a few seconds, then said coldly, "You'll regret this choice."

He turned and left the hospital room.

Alexander ran after him. "Don't leave, man! I bet on you. I can't be Sophia's babysitter!"

Sebastian glared. "Did I say I gave up?"

"Then why aren't you stopping Joey? Leonard seems nice, but something's off. He must've known Joey before."

Sebastian stopped, eyes cold. "Why do you say that?"

"Does Joey like strawberry cake but not the strawberries inside?"

"How do you know?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Alexander smirked. "I don't, but Leonard does. He knew without Joey noticing. Think he's innocent?"

Sebastian felt the situation was serious.novelbin

He only learned about Joey's habits later. How did Leonard, who just met her, know so well? It couldn't be a coincidence.

He sent Dominic to investigate Leonard.

Meanwhile, Isabella, trying to frame Joey, caused trouble at a party and got her ankle stepped on.

She called her brother Theodore to pick her up, but he didn't answer. She felt he was hiding something. Lately, he barely paid attention to her. He either didn't answer or hung up quickly. Theodore used to prioritize her. "Is Theodore mad because I threatened to die to get Sebastian back?" Isabella wondered, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. She couldn't afford to lose Theodore, her leverage over Sebastian.

She bought Theodore's favorite late-night snack and headed to his place, but he wasn't home.

Bored, she wandered around and found a plush bunny on his desk. Excited, she hugged and kissed it, her earlier displeasure fading. Theodore still cared. She'd only mentioned wanting this bunny once, and he got it for her.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

Playing with the bunny, she noticed a drawing on the desk of a girl's back. The girl had a great figure, and a pink plum blossom mark on her shoulder blades caught Isabella's eye. Joey had a similar birthmark. "Could Theodore like Joey? No way!" she thought.

To confirm, Isabella rummaged through the drawer for anything related to Joey. She wouldn't let Joey take Theodore from her.

She found a confidential file and opened it. The paternity test showed she was Darren's daughter but not Connie's. She was the child of her father and his mistress. She and Theodore were half-siblings, and she had no blood relation to her other relatives. More importantly, Sebastian never wanted to marry her.

Her chest tightened. Theodore wasn't busy; he was avoiding her after learning the truth.

'Is he planning to stop liking me? Will he tell Sebastian everything? What will I do then?' she thought, panicking.

Her eyes fell back on the drawing, filled with malice. Angie once said she wouldn't care if Joey died since Joey wasn't her biological child.

"Joey isn't Angie's child. Then whose child is she? Why does she have the same birthmark?" Isabella's head pounded, her heart ached. She clutched the bunny's ears, trembling. "No way, this can't be true!" she muttered. Hearing Theodore's footsteps, she quickly put everything back and hid in the closet.

Theodore came in, sat at the desk, picked up the drawing, and murmured, "My sister, I will find you."