Chapter 868: Against Daniela, she was nothing but powerless.
"I want the truth about my mother's death-every detail, every name. No one gets away with it!" Cedric rose from his seat, setting down a pen and paper in front of Natalie.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"And if I tell you, what do I get in return?" Daniela's expression remained unreadable. "As you pointed out, the villa you stayed in is still yours. I can send you abroad for further studies until the scandal with Doug fades. Once people forget, you can return. Whether you resas my secretary or pursue something else is entirely your choice." Natalie hesitated, lost in thought.
Staring at the blank sheet before her, she spoke. "If I give you the names, I want more. When I return, I want a company under Elite Lux." The thought of remaining Daniela's secretary made Natalie's stomach churn. Daniela's mind was far too dangerous. It was better to carve out her own path.
"And one more thing, you can't harm my mother." Daniela sat up, her smile razor-sharp as she met Natalie's gaze. "You get one-either a company or my promise not to touch your mother. Pick." Natalie's teeth sank into her lip. Silence stretched before she finally spoke. “The company." Her decision was final. Self-interest always cfirst. That was the lesson Elyse had drilled into her since childhood. She had always been the dutiful daughter.
This was a world governed by laws-what real harm could Daniela possibly inflict on Elyse? She clung to that reasoning, conveniently pushing aside the grim memory of Caiden's fate.
"Yes." Natalie gave a decisive nod. "I choose a company." Without hesitation, she knelt by the table, pen scratching across the page as she jotted down the names. "Natalie, you know me," Daniela murmured, watching her write. "I already know parts of the truth. This is just to test your sincerity. If you write false names, and I uncover the truth later, you won't be making it back from abroad. Don't expectto let family ties holdback." Natalie's grip on the pen tightened. After a brief hesitation, she scratched out a few names-Joyce among them. As she slid the list over, she spoke with forced certainty. "Every nis there. None are missing." Daniela skimmed the names before flicking a dismissive hand. Without another word, Natalie straightened up and left.
Elyse was pacing anxiously downstairs. The moment Natalie emerged, she rushed over.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Sweetheart, I just borrowed smoney from Nina. If Daniela won't help, don't worry. I'll find another way."
Natalie's gaze softened with pity.
"Mom, don't you get it? get it? We can't 't win against Daniela. It's tto accept reality."
That single sentence froze Elyse in place. A heavy silence followed m before she finally lifted her head, disbelief written all over her face. "What did you say to Daniela?"
Natalie's expression darkened as she sharply withdrew her hand from m Elyse's grip. "Mom, you need to own up to your actions. It's unfair to offload your responsibilities onto your daughter, don't you think?" Elyse was visibly shaken by the confrontation, rooted to the spot. "You..."