Chapter 282

Alexander slid the divorce agreement across the table. "Sign it."

Fifty million in hand, Joyce signed the agreement,officially ending her marriage.

As she stood to leave, Alexander didn't even glance back. His only sign of hesitation was a brief moment of stillness in the living room.

Joyce lingered in her seat, a sudden emptiness settling over her. With a forced smile, she turned to Katrina. "Mom, I'm finally free! The divorce is done,and now I can go after the love I've always wanted!"

Katrina let out a heavy sigh. In her eyes, Joyce's history-having a child, ending a marriage, and keeping a boy toy- meant she'd never find anyone better than Alexander. She shook her head. "You'll regret this, Joyce. You'll see."

Joyce let out a laugh, her disbelief evident. "No, I won't. Mom, I'm texting Milo. He's coming over for dinner tomorrow. I'm going to marry him!"

Katrina felt as though the weight of the world was crashing down on her, utterly drained by Joyce's choices.

Meanwhile, Daniela ignored the conversation entirely,her patience with the family drama completely spent.

Johan leaned towards Daniela, his voice a low murmur."Did you catch that? Joyce just finalized her divorce."

Tonight, Johan saw an opportunity.

With Cedric and Daniela's friends absent, it was the perfect moment for him.

Johan exchanged a knowing glance with Katrina, who understood his unspoken intention. As she began to share her plan to hypnotize Daniela with Joyce, the latter marched out the door.

The silence in the living room was immediate and thick.

Katrina, visibly tense, sat in the dining room,watching the fondue pot bubble without taking notice.

A few moments later, Johan's voice came from the living room, quiet but final. "It's done."

Shocked into motion, Katrina sprang from her seat,her chair teetering dangerously behind her.

Johan, startled by her sudden movement, rushed to her side. "Quiet down," he hissed, his voice urgent.

Katrina gave a quick nod, her breath still shaky.

Together, they crept towards Daniela.

Sitting motionless on the couch, Daniela seemed lost, her eyes distant and unfocused, as if she were in another world.

Johan shot a questioning glance at Katrina. "What should I do now?"

Katrina's gaze turned cold, locking onto Daniela with an almost venomous intensity. Her voice was laced with frost as she spoke to Johan. "Take her to the rooftop."

Understanding Katrina intent, Johan gave a subtle nod.

He acted quickly, guiding Daniela with steady hands.

The wind howled fiercely across the balcony, its strength tugging at Daniela's long dress as she stood there, almost motionless.

The fabric fluttered upward, caught by the fierce gusts.

Her hair was tossed around wildly, adding an extra layer of fragility to her already delicate appearance.

Katrina asked, "She won't just wake up on her own,will she?"

Johan chuckled, sucking on a lollipop. "Not unless

someone says her name. Relax, you've done this before-fifteen years ago,remember? You're a pro."

Pulling out his phone, Johan continued, "Okay, just a few more steps, and we're done. I'll head downstairs to cover my tracks. Transfer the money now. I'm out after this."

Katrina's eyes flicked to Daniela.

The scene mirrored what had happened with Brylee all those years ago.

A sense of relief washed over Katrina as she transferred the funds to Johan.

Once the transaction was complete, Johan checked the confirmation and leaned in close to Daniela,whispering the final command in her ear.

"In an hour, you'll be jumping from this building."

With those words, Johan pulled his cap lower over his eyes and turned to leave the rooftop.

Just before exiting, Johan paused and cast one last glance at Daniela.

For a fleeting moment, unease washed over him, as if Daniela could see through every layer of his plan.

Despite the nagging feeling, everything had gone according to plan that day.

Pushing the unease aside, Johan shook off the nagging feeling.

He adjusted his cap one final time before slipping away from the house.

Alone on the rooftop, Katrina remained,perfectly at ease.She had done this before.

An entire hour stretched ahead, plenty of time for everything to unfold.

Ryan and Lillian had gone out for dinner, and it would be at least three hours before they returned.

Cedric was stuck at an international conference,followed by a banquet, and wouldn't return until late that night. In one hour, Daniela would vanish from existence,just like her mother.

Everything Daniela had worked for would fall into her hands.

A triumphant smile tugged at Katrina's lips.

Gazing at Daniela's face, so eerily reminiscent of Brylee's, Katrina's sense of victory swelled. "Talent doesn't save you, does it? You and your mother are still nothing more than pawns in my hands.If you two hadn't been so skilled at making money, I wouldn't have ever bothered with you. But don't worry,Daniela. I'll take over Elite Lux foryou. All of it will be Joyce's. You and your mother were both so short-sighted,paving the way for my comfort all along."

Caught up in her glee, Katrina almost forgot the frustration she felt over Joyce's divorce.

Money was all Joyce needed to have any man she desired.

In contrast, Alexander was a mere shadow of the wealth Joyce truly deserved.

The Bennett family would soon regret their decisions.