Joey wasn't surprised; she just smiled. "Mr. Vale, need me for a case? Let's chat at the office tomorrow."

"Joey, cut the act. Did you mess up Isabella's concert today? You ruined her and her mom's reputation. If you don't apologize publicly, don't blame me for getting tough." Joey thought, 'Darren really loves his daughter. He doesn't even check the facts and assumes Isabella's innocent. What a great dad.'

She stayed calm. "Mr. Vale, don't accuse me without proof, or I'll sue you for defamation."

This was Darren's first direct clash with Joey, and he didn't expect her to be so bold.

The Vale Family is one of the top families in City B. He could easily bankrupt the Blackwood Family, yet she showed no fear.

His face darkened. "Joey, if you don't apologize, leave Sebastian. I'll give you five million dollars to go abroad and never come back. Otherwise, I won't spare your father or friends." Darren looked at his crying daughter and felt heartbroken.

He never took Joey seriously, always thinking his daughter was better in every way.

In the love triangle, he believed his daughter would win. But now, it seemed more complicated. Sebastian was willing to risk everything for Joey, shaking Darren's confidence.

If he didn't step in, his daughter would lose both Sebastian and her reputation.

Joey chuckled. "Mr. Vale, save that money for your daughter's legal fees. She might end up in jail. As for your threats, remember, I'm not easy to mess with. The Vale Family has its own secrets. If you're not afraid of me exposing them, go ahead."

"What right do you have to threaten me? You're just a small-time lawyer. Don't you think you're getting a bit too cocky?"

"Whether I have the right or not, Mr. Vale, you'll see."

Joey was about to hang up when the phone was snatched away.

Before she could react, she heard Sebastian's cold voice. "Mr. Vale, if you're not afraid of risking the Vale Family's future, go ahead and target my father-in-law Benjamin. You know I never show mercy." Darren was furious. Sebastian was willing to disregard the relationship between the families for Joey.

Sebastian even called Benjamin his father-in-law.

Darren gritted his teeth. "Sebastian, don't forget what Isabella did to save you. How can you ignore her feelings and call someone else's father your father-in-law? Have you ever considered my feelings?" Sebastian chuckled. "Mr. Vale, are you senile? Didn't you call off my engagement with Isabella? Even if you hadn't, do you think Isabella is still worthy of me now?"

Darren was speechless. After a few seconds, he clutched his chest. "Don't listen to Joey. Isabella's situation is all her doing. She's just retaliating against Isabella. How can you protect such a venomous woman? She'll harm you one day." Sebastian glanced at Joey, feeling a bit heartbroken, and pulled her into his arms.

He thought, 'If she ever finds out Darren is her real dad, how crushed would she be? For a mistress's kid, he insults her like this.'

Sebastian's cold fingers brushed Joey's eyelids, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I doubt she could set up so many men for Isabella. Mr. Vale, maybe you should look into what your daughter has been up to abroad all these years." Darren was left speechless. Isabella had been abroad alone for years, with just a nanny. He didn't know much about her private life, but he had raised her and believed she wouldn't do something so despicable.

After hanging up, Sebastian, who had been cold and ruthless, turned gentle when he looked at Joey.

He ruffled Joey's hair gently. "Joey, don't worry. I won't let Darren harm our dad."

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! Joey's eyes widened. "Who did you call dad?"

"Your dad, Benjamin. Who else?"

He said it like it was the most natural thing, as if they were already a couple.

Joey couldn't help but twitch her facial muscles. She felt Sebastian's forehead. "No fever, but you're talking nonsense. My dad will never be your dad, don't worry."

With that, she went into the kitchen.

Sebastian wasn't discouraged; he became more determined.

He followed her. "Did you find out about Isabella?"

Joey sneered. "If you wanted to, you would. You just couldn't bear to."

In other words, Darren trusted Isabella too much. He never thought she could be that kind of person, so he never investigated.

Sebastian leaned against the door frame, watching Joey cook in an apron, feeling warm inside.

He took out his phone and snapped a picture of Joey's back.

He posted it on Facebook with the caption: [Turns out happiness is this simple.]

Bianca, vacationing abroad, jumped up when she saw it. "Grandma, come! Sebastian, who rarely posts, just shared a picture of Joey with a cheeky remark."

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! Aurora was about to go to bed but came back immediately. "Where? Let me see."

She looked at the phone several times, smiling. Aurora even liked the post. "Looks like our family trip plan worked. They're living together now. Hurry up and give me a great-grandchild to play with." "Don't get too excited. I heard Joey hasn't fallen for him yet and plans to introduce Leonard to her parents."

"If they're living together and he still can't win Joey's heart, then he's not a true Winters!"

Aurora put on her reading glasses and left a comment. [If you can't win Joey, don't call me grandma!] Sebastian rarely posted, and when he did, it was usually about work or his Samoyed dog.novelbin

Now, posting a picture of a woman cooking shocked everyone in his social circle.

Within minutes, the post had over a hundred likes and many congratulatory comments.

[Mr. Winters, big news? Can't wait 4 the wedding invite!]

[Mr. Winters is so lucky to have someone cook for him. Us singles live on takeout.]

[Look at u, all smug. City B can't handle ur joy!]

Sebastian read the comments, feeling pure joy. Just as he was basking in it, Joey's phone rang.

While cooking, she put it on speaker. Leonard's gentle voice came through. "Joey, my mom is coming to City B tomorrow and wants to meet you. Do you have time?"