Chapter 501

Natalie and Elyse lit up at the words.

They spun around eagerly, only for their excitement to fade the moment they saw Linden standing there.

"You?" Natalie scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.

What could a mere family doctor possibly bring to the table?

How much money could he even have?

She was certain she could earn more on her own than she ever would by marrying him.

Marrying a poor man and living a life of struggle?

Not a chance!

That was never going to happen.

If wealth hadn't been her priority, she wouldn't have settled for someone as hideous as Doug in the first place.

Without a second thought, she and Elyse turned to leave.

Linden's voice rang out behind them. "I may not have much money, but Daniela does."

Natalie stopped in her tracks and let out a sharp laugh. "You actually think Daniela would listen to you? Do

you think you're Cedric?"

Linden met her gaze calmly. "She promised me that if I got married, she would give me a gift."

Natalie eyed Linden with suspicion.

"I already asked her for that hillside villa you used to own.If you marry me, it'll be yours." She didn't believe him for a second.

Linden pulled out his phone and showed them a photo of the property deed. "If you're doubtful, you can wait until I officially get the villa before deciding."

Elyse said nothing.

Natalie was equally quiet.

Seeing the greed in their eyes, Linden pressed on. "That villa, if sold properly, could easily go for billions.Natalie, isn't marrying rich exactly what you wanted? Marry me, and you won't just have money on paper-you'll have real, tangible wealth. Be honest. In Olisvine, besides Daniela and Cedric, who else can offer you that kind of fortune? If you marry me, you marry a rich man, don't you?"

His argument was airtight. All those years of education hadn't gone to waste.

Natalie shot a glance at Elyse.

Elyse hesitated. "But at the end of the day, it's still under your name. It's yours. Who knows who you'll hand it over to? And if you divorce Natalie, won't we end up with nothing?"

Linden's lips curled into a smile. "I can sign an agreement. If I'm the one to file for divorce, the villa will go to Natalie, no conditions attached."

Elyse leaned in slightly. "And what if Natalie,can't stand it anymore and wants to leave?"

Linden's smile didn't waver. It was relaxed, even generous. "As long as she stays married to me for five years,then whether she wants to stay or go, the villa will belong to her. Everything I just said can be written in the contract."

Silence fell between them.

Natalie bit her lip, clearly tempted.

Five years.

Just five years! After that, she could leave Linden and keep the villa.

It was like making billions in five years!

Even marrying Doug wouldn't guarantee that kind of money.

Natalie wavered, on the verge of agreeing, but Elyse held her back."We need to think this through."

Natalie turned to her, confused.

"If you marry him and he refuses to divorce you, then what? Are you willing to waste your entire life?"

Besides,once married, any, disputes would become family matters-outsiders wouldn't be able to interfere.

Linden seemed sharp. Natalie might not be able to outmaneuver him.

And self-made men were always more guarded about their money than people like Doug.

"In any case, we need time to consider." Elyse's tone was firm.

"Fine. I'll give you three days. If I don't hear back, then let's drop this entirely-I'll just propose to Nina instead."

Elyse pressed her lips together and pulled Natalie away.

Linden watched Natalie disappear down the hall. His mind flashed back to the day Doug had backed her into the elevator. She hadn't looked frightened. She had looked pleased.

His fists curled tight.