Chapter 279

Katrina hesitated as she held out the pearl.

Daniela gave no visible sign of surprise, which allowed Katrina to release a quiet breath of relief.

"Take a look at this pearl. Caiden presented it to me on our wedding day. I never thought I'd let it go,but I'm in dire need of cash at the moment. What do you think it's worth? Just throw out a number; I promise I won't haggle."

Daniela's gaze remained fixed on the television, seemingly uninterested.

As the echo of Katrina's plea died away, the dialogue from the television filled the expansive living room, the characters' voices a stark contrast to the tense silence between the two women.

Seeing Daniela's continued indifference, Katrina's heart sank, her hopes of a simple transaction fading.

She pressed her lips together, contemplating her next move-to take the pearl to an auction house, though she dreaded the hefty fees that would diminish its yield.

Just as Katrina was about to reach out to the auction house, Daniela's voice cut through the quiet.

"Ten million." Her tone was nonchalant, her eyes still on the screen.

Elation surged through Katrina. She glanced at the pearl cradled in her palm, feeling a twinge of greed."Daniela, we're family. Don't you think that's a bit on the low side? Perhaps consider a higher offer? This piece is truly magnificent."

Daniela responded with only a slight,enigmatic smile.

Across her, Johan reclined in his chair.

"Well, aren't you starting to push your luck?" Unruffled as ever, Daniela maintained her usual stoic demeanor,seemingly indifferent even at home. The air tensed around Katrina; a surge of anxiety struck her.

"Don't get upset. We're family, after all. A little more or less shouldn't matter, right?" Despite her efforts to appear calm, Katrina harbored a growing fear of Daniela. "How about twelve million?"

"Eight million," Daniela countered without missing a beat.

Katrina's heart skipped. "Why drop the price? Daniela?" She clutched the pearl more tightly. "Twelve million is already under the market rate."

"Six million."

A knot formed in Katrina's stomach. "This isn't fair..."

"Five million."

Katrina's eyes widened in dismay.

Daniela flashed her a chilling, dismissive smile, shattering Katrina's hopes in an instant.

Daniela's voice was icy, her composure unshaken. "Katrina, you're hardly in a position to negotiate. Frankly,I'm not interested in that pearl. But what about Joyce's predicament? Didn't she set your deadline for tonight to come up with the funds? Imagine what will happen if you don't deliver by tomorrow. Soon enough,the whole town will buzz with tales of your daughter and her never-ending scandals."

Katrina was well aware that presenting the item at an auction would entail a longwait in line, hoping against hope for the right purchaser to come along.

Such a process could span several agonizing weeks. Yet Joyce couldn't afford todelay.

Both Daniela and Katrina recognized the urgency.

As Josie handed Daniela a plate brimming with fresh fruit, Daniela accepted it, then declared with a cold firmness, "Four million. Say another word, and I won't give ita second thought."

Without waiting for a response, Daniela rose and made her way upstairs.

Watching Daniela's retreating back, Katrina's frustration bubbled over, and she bit her lip hard, her gaze burning with indignation. Comered and out of optlons, she conceded, her voice strained. "Fine! Four million!

At Katrina's capitulation, Daniela halted her ascent, pausing on the stairs above to cast a sweeping glance downward.

For a flicker of a moment, Katrina suspected Daniela remembered the pearl. It seemed Daniela always knew At was meant to be the gift from her mother.

Before Katrina could fully grasp the moment, Cedric took the pearl from her."I've transferred the four million to you."

Katrina's eyes darted to her phone, confirming the transaction was complete.

"Wasn't Daniela supposed to handle the payment?" she asked Cedric.

"She doesn't need to concern herself with paying for something so minor. I've taken care of it." With that,Cedric turned and ascended the stairs, pearl in hand.

Left alone, Katrina clutched her phone, her fingers white from the grip.

A surge of humiliation washed throuugh her-she had sacrificed her pride for the sake of money, only to be played by Daniela's manipulative games.

Cedric, seemingly oblivious to the weight of his gesture, nonchalantly paid as though the amount was a mere four dollars.

Katrina was seething with resentment.

She couldn't help but wonder why her own daughter hadn't married someone as influential as Cedric.

What qualities did Daniela possess that Joyce seemed to lack?

Unbeknownst to Cedric, the pearl held a tumultuous history.

Daniela's revelation of its story left him profoundly shaken.

Earlier, when they were downstairs, he had only noticed her distress; he hadn't grasped the depth of her turmoil until now.

His heart heavy with empathy, Cedric enveloped her in a comforting embrace and murmured, "It seems that fate has returned the pearl to you. I've taken care of the payment, Daniela. Consider it a blessing from your mother, delivered through my hands. Please, let go of your sorrow. Remember, I'm here for you, and in spirit,so is she."

That night, Daniela retreated to her room, her spirit damnpened by the day's emotions.

Cedric joined her, synchronizing his nightly routine with hers in a tender gesture of solidarity.

It was only after Daniela drifted into sleep that he opened his eyes in the quiet darkness.

A fierce resolve ignited within him, casting a stark contrast to the gentleness he had just displayed.

Alexander had spent more than a month working on a major business deal.

Just as he was poised to finalize the agreement, Phillips Group unexpectedly swooped in and clinched a five-year deal with his prospective partner.

Stunned by this sudden turn of events, Alexander discretely passed some money to a contact at the other company,seeking clarity.

"Did you offend Cedric? We're far from a big player; it's unusual Cedric would notice us..There's no way it's solely because of our work. So, what's the real reason behind his sudden interest? Could it be an act of retribution against you?"