Chapter 500

Facing others, Elyse was always bold and assertive.

But when it came to Daniela, she knew to mask her emotions with careful restraint.

She lowered her gaze, spread her hands slightly, and wore the perfect look of a helpless victim.

Daniela had seen this expression far too many times.

When they were younger, every time Elyse wanted something from Brylee, she would put on the same act.

And Brylee, out of sisterly love, always gave in.

"Daniela, you have to help me and Natalie this time!"Elyse pleaded, her voice dripping with urgency.

Daniela sat in her chair, her expression unreadable.Her tone remained calm. "What happened?" At that, Elyse's face twisted with frustration.

She was certain Daniela was playing dumb.

With rumors flying everywhere, how could Daniela possibly not know?

How could she pretend she hadn't heard what people were saying about Natalie?

Elyse cursed Daniela inwardly. If she could take Daniela down right now, she'd already be running Elite Lux. How dare Daniela act superior to her?

But on the surface, she remained composed, forcing a smile. "Daniela, we're family. If you refuse to help Natalie this time, Natalie and I have to take our lives!"

Tears welled in her eyes as she broke into heart-wrenching sobs.

Daniela, unfazed, played her role even better. "Aunt,don't be upset. Just tell me-what exactly happened to Natalie?"

Elyse swallowed her pride and forced herself to explain, "Joyce framed Natalie. Now the whole internet is tearing her apart!"

Daniela gave a small nod, picked up the tablet beside her, and met Elyse's eyes with a serious expression."Is that so? Don't worry. I won't just sit back and let Natalie be bullied. Let's see what people are actually saying online."

She opened the trending topics.

At the very top was the hashtag #TheBitchNatalie.

She tapped on it.

Then, in a calm, precise voice, she began reading the comments aloud.

"Didn't Natalie act like she was way out of any ordinary guy's league? How did she end up in bed with Doug?"

"Wait, let's be clear. That wasn't in bed. They were having sex inside an elevator!"

"Why would Natalie do this? Such a beauty, wasted.Look at her, crying like that.What a shame." "Don't pity her. She had no issue fooling around with Doug, a married man. Now Joyce is a widow, and Natalie's just a home-wrecking slut who deserves what's coming to her!"

"Everyone should hate Natalie! Get rid of her already!"

Daniela continued reading with the smooth detachment of a news anchor.

But the moment Elyse heard her daughter being called a "bitch," she couldn't take it anymore.

"Daniela, stop! Stop reading! These people online are just spewing garbage!"

Daniela put the tablet down and tilted her head slightly, feigning surprise. "Oh? Is that so? Then I suppose all these photos, videos, and gifs flooding the internet are fake? if that's the case, we should sue these media outlets immediately.Would you like me to call a lawyer for you?"

Elyse wrung her hands together and hesitated."Well... it did happen, but Doug was the one who seduced Natalie! She's virtuous, completely innocent. How could she ever be interested in someone like him?"

Just as she finished, a sharp laugh came from Nina.

Elyse's eyes darkened as she turned to glare at Nina before quickly looking back at Daniela. "Doug set the whole thing up. That scoundrel deserved to die!"

Daniela studied Elyse, watching how easily she shifted the blame onto someone else. Her voice was calm as she asked, "So, what exactly do you want me to do?"

Elyse didn't hesitate. "Isn't Joyce your stepsister?()-Tell her to stop spreading rumors online. I'll have Natalie issue a statement, and she just needs to stay quiet."

Daniela spread her hands with an easy shrug. "I'm afraid that's not possible."

At those words, a flicker of malice flashed across Elyse's face, but she quickly smoothed it over. "Why not? Elite Lux is far ahead of the Fairburne family in wealth and influence. What, are you afraid of them?Daniela, you're not someone who backs down that easily,are you?"

Daniela let out a soft chuckle. "Doug died. And it happened while Natalie was with him. You expect me to use power to cover this up? That doesn't seem right, does it? Besides, as you said, Joyce is my stepsister. I can't help you crush her, can I? My father wouldn't be happy about that."

Elyse's expression twisted. "Daniela, ifyou don't want to help, just say it. Why bother making excuses? Everyone knows you cut ties with your father ages ago. Who are you trying to fool?"

Elyse's expression darkened with displeasure.

Daniela's face turned cold in an instant, the last traces of amusement vanishing. "So,since I've cut ties with Caiden and my mother passed away long ago, that means I have no reason to help Natalie,doesn't it?"

Her voice was sharp, carrying the weight of authority. A chill ran down Elyse's spine, as if she had been doused with ice water.

Daniela leaned back slightly. "Since you also don't see us as family, please leave."

Nina stepped forward, raising a hand toward the door in an unmistakable gesture.

Elyse's face burned with humiliation. She shot a glare at Nina, then at Daniela, before stomping her foot in frustration and stormning out.

Natalie had been waiting downstairs. The moment she saw Elyse's furious expression, anxiety flashed in her eyes."How did it go? What did Daniela say?"

Elyse let out a sharp breath. "That woman's a bitch.She refused to help you!"

At those words, Natalie's composure cracked. Tears spilled down her face as she choked out, "What are we supposed to do now? Mom, I can't show my face anywhere! You have to find a way to erase everything online! And then-find a way for me to marry well." Elyse scoffed, "In this situation? Who wNould even dare to marry you now?"

" would." A cold voice cut through the air from behind them.