Chapter 475

Elyse clung to a sliver of hope when it came to Daniela.

"What about Linden? He's never been married.And no matter what, Daniela is still family. If you marry him.she won't just leave you with nothing."

Natalie narrowed her eyes. "So I'm supposed to bet my future on her goodwill? Depend on her charity and tiptoe around her moods? Why shouldI?"

Elyse let out a weary sigh. "If you go for Doug,you better brace yourself. Joyce won't just step aside.She's not the type to let things slide. Last time,a woman flirted with Doug, and Joyce handled it by carving 'bitch' into her face. Think you can deal with that?"

Natalie scoffed. "Joyce? She's not even worth a second thought. Daniela's tricky,sure,but Joyce?Please." A smirk played on her lips.

"So..." Elyse hesitated, pressing her lips together."Is your mind made up?"

Natalie nodded firmly. "I'm done being someone's pawn.Daniela already knows what happened to Brylee.If we don't find a powerful ally, we'll be dead sooner or later-or worse,locked away like Caiden. We need to act before it's too late."

Elyse chewed on her lower lip. "Natalie, maybe we should just let this go," she murmured, the fear of losing her daughter gnawing at her. "I'll confess everything to Daniela. I'll get on my knees if I have to -beg her to forgive us."

Natalie let out a sharp laugh. "Her mother's dead-your apology means nothing. And from where I'm standing, Daniela's already decided to wipe us out."

Elyse fell into silence, her gaze dark and calculating."If I tell Daniela who's really behind it all, do you think she'd let us go?"

Natalie shook her head. "They're too powerful. Not even Daniela can take them on. If we cross both sides,we're finished."

Elyse lowered her gaze,releasing a heavy sigh.

Meanwhile, in the office, the surveillance system broadcasted every word of Elyse and Natalie's conversation.

Linden clenched his jaw, rage twisting his face.

That shameless woman! She was already his,yet she had the audacity to consider another man.

She'd rather be someone's mistress than be his wife?

Did she have no regard for his pride at all?

Furious beyond words, Linden turned to Daniela. "We at most can't let Natalie seduce Doug."

Daniela, unfazed, was casually testing out a beta game.

Without looking up, she said calmly, "Linden, if you want to keep a woman, you need skills. I gave you the chance. She's already slept with you, yet she still doesn't want you. That's on you, not me."

Panic surged through Linden. He had always assumed Daniela would have his back-he never expected her to abandon him so easily.

"Doesn't this concern you too? If Natalie secures a stronger ally, she'll be even harder to handle."

Daniela let out a slow, mocking chuckle. "Linden,don't waste your breath. Elyse and Natalie? They're nothing but clowns to me. Even if they latched onto ten men like Doug, I still wouldn't care."

Linden knew she meant every word. He just refused to accept it. He had counted on using Daniela's power to bring Natalie to heel.

"Yes, you're incredibly powerful." Linden dropped to his knees, keeping his sharp gaze lowered. "That's why I'm begging for your help."

Daniela didn't even glance at him, her focus still on her game.

The sharp crack of gunfire from her game filled the office. "Linden, if you want something, go earn it yourself." Linden's whole body tensed.

Then came Daniela's cold laugh. "All bark, no bite. 1don't keep dogs that won't bite."

Linden's head snapped up at her words.

Her expression was frozen,unreadable.

In that moment, it hit him-he wasn't Ryan or Lillian.Daniela protected her own fiercely, but he wasn't part of that inne circle.

Right now, he didn't even come close.

Linden backed out of her office, his gaze dark with murderous intent as he stared into the distance.

If he wanted to be part of Daniela's world, he needed to prove himself-with an act she couldn't ignore.

And Natalie and Elyse? They would be his offering.

Nina brushed past Linden,catching the chilling rage in his eyes. Her stomach twisted with unease, and she quickly knocked on Daniela's door.

"Daniela, my sister's asking to borrow money. Should I lend it to her?"

Daniela, still engrossed in her game, replied casually,"Up to you." She never meddled in other people's affairs.

"I heard from my mom and Natalie-they're going to the charity auction tonight and need a custom dress worth half a million."

Daniela smnirked. "So Natalie's playing the elegant temptress,hoping to reel Doug in."

Lillian, eyes still on her game, let out a light laugh."Obviously. She needs a plan to snatch Doug away and shove Joyce out of the picture."

Daniela scoffed.

Nina,standing nearby, had no clue what they were scheming.

/

But that didn't matter. Whatever Daniela decided was right-no questions needed. Instead, she simply asked."Daniela, should I lend them the money?"

Daniela nodded. "Yes, lend it. I'll send you the five hundred grand-hand it over to them."

Lillian's grin widened. "Natalie's diving straight into the fire-seducing Doug means stepping on Joyce's lifeline,and Joyce won't just stand by. Meanwhile.Linden's losing his mind because she'd rather chase a thrice-married man than pick him. Three people, one battleground-this is going to be fun."

Daniela let out a soft,amused laugh.

The pieces clicked into place for Nina, and she gave Daniela an approving thumbs-up. "Genius. You're just sitting back and enjoying the fireworks!" Daniela's smile deepened as she turned to Lillian."Come with me tonight. We'll watch the show firsthand."

Nina straightened. "Daniela, I'm coming too. AndI'll personally fund Natalie's five hundred grand."

Daniela arched a brow.

Nina's fists tightened. "I want that money to be the nail in Natalie's coffin."

Her face twisted with pure hatred, a darkness so stark that Daniela took a second look.