Chapter 448

Seconds passed,each one seemingly slower than the last.Yet,nothing happened.

Growing impatient, Natalie attempted to call Cealmaur,only to find the line engaged. With no other options, she sent a text, requesting a callback.

Natalie kept waiting, but instead of hearing from Russell, it was Elyse who called her.

Elyse's voice shook over the phone. "Natalie, it's urgent. Our house is occupied by outsiders. You and Nina need to come back right away."

Natalie had been so sure of herself, and the villa was sold so quickly, that she nearly forgot she'd even put it up for sale.

Upon their arriva1, Nina and Natalie were confronted by an elderly man clutching the property title, saying."Ladies, this property now belongs to my boss. Today marks the final day for you to clear out."

At that moment, Daniela and her friends were just dropping off Nina.

Hearing the old man, Daniela turned to Cedric and inquired, "What's your opinion on this villa?"

Admiring the surroundings, Cedric responded, "It's outstanding. Your mother has exquisite taste. This hillside villa is indeed a rare find, and I've heard its interiors are just as carefully designed."

Nearby, Lillian overheard Daniela say, "Let me know if it catches your fancy."

Cedric, gazing at the elderly man with the deed,felt a strange sense of recognition. As he pondered this familiarity, he absentmindedly said, "I do like it."

After Cedric admitted his fondness, a subtle smile played on Daniela's lips. "Then it's yours-a wedding gift from your mother-in-law."

Cedric snapped his head around. "Huh? What did you just say?"

Meanwhile, Elyse was in a state of panic. She approached Daniela, indifferent to the rain soaking her. Her hair, disheveled and wet, stuck to her face."Daniela,you're well-connected with many friends and lawyers. Can you help me resolve this? It's outright extortion! I never sold the villa. This villa was a valuable gift from your mother. I'd never part with it.not for anything!"

Under the protection of an umbrella held by Cedric,Daniela looked on with a cold gaze. "Is that so?" The gift was valuable, yet it seemed unappreciated.

"Absolutely," Elyse said with conviction. "Selling this villa is something I would never do."

Daniela's gaze fell on Elyse, taking in her disarrayed state, her emotions detached and cold. "Maybe someone else in your family sold it"

Immediately. Elyse denied the possibility. "No. it couldn't be. Nina is hardly ever home,and Natalie is too well-behaved. She's the jewel ive nurtured: she wouldn't think of selling the villa without my permission."

Daniela nodded. then suggested, "Let's get the police involved."

With that,Daniela was about to pick up her phone.

Elyse stared at Daniela,her eyes pleading.

"Hold off on calling the police. I sold it."

Upon hearing that.Elyse froze, her body rigid with shock for a long moment before she slowly turned to face Natalie, meeting her indifferent stare.

"Mom,I would have inherited everything eventually. It doesn't matter if I claim it now or later. We should get going."

Elyse was utterly shaken. She hadn't foreseen her daughter's scheming, orchestrating such a betrayal.

Natalie continued, "Don't look so betrayed. You've kept your secrets; now we're even. I just took ownership a little sooner. The villa's already been sold.It's not a big deal. I'll make sure we come out ahead financially."

Elyse couldn't grasp that these words were coming from Natalie.

The old man gestured, prompting his people to start removing the items not listed in the sale contract.

It was then that Elyse noticed her beloved antiques and paintings from Brylee were left behind.

Shaking,she asked Natalie, "How much did you get for the villa?"

Natalie responded, "One hundred million."

At that figure,Elyse collapsed.

From a distance, Daniela observed as Elyse and Natalie,clutching their few belongings,exited the villa,a sight of utter defeat.

Amidst the downpour, Daniela's eyes lingered on the mist-enveloped villa, her laughter echoing coldly through the air.

"Mom,do you see? I have retrieved everything from the people who betrayed you."

Elyse was thrown out. With their luggage in tow,she and her daughter headed to the Harper family's villa.

Elyse said to Daniela, "You've let Nina stay; could you accommodate me and Natalie as well?"

A faint smile crossed Daniela's lips.

Misinterpreting this as an agreement, Elyse began to pull her suitcase inside, only to be stopped by Daniela, "I'm sorry, but we don't have any available rooms."

Elyse was skeptical.

Josie stood with a knife, blocking the unwelcome people.

Elyse, feeling a mix of desperation and hope, then turned to Nina. "Nina, there's plenty of space in your room. Could your sister and I join you? We're family after all. It wouldn't be too much to ask, right?"