Chapter 438

Cedric, ensconced in the office chair Daniela had provided, felt a disquieting sense of something amiss.

Why was Daniela getting dragged into the Dury sisters' drama?

Natalie, standing behind Elyse, struck him as a particularly thorny character.

Cedric could tell Natalie was someone who knew how to manipulate people.

Natalie felt Cedric's gaze úpon her.

Without looking up, she feigned wiping away invisible tears.

She figured all men were the same, always falling for the delicate, innocent type.

Compared to that dimwit Nina, she thought, any sane man would choose her.

Natalie subtly squared her shoulders, turning to give Cedric what she thought was a dazzling, irresistible smile. But the smile froze on her lips the very next second.

Why did Cedric's supposedly sympathetic gaze seem so harsh?

Taken aback, Natalie quickly averted her eyes.

Just then, she head Elyse speaking to Daniela. "Daniela, I don't want to make things difficult for you, but Nina is simply beyond the pale. How could she just stand by while her sister was being harassed? Elite Lux can't harbor someone like that."

Daniela responded with a smile,′′|sthat so?"

Elyse nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. Nina is utterly ruthless. Forget Elite Lux, even if she wants to join Harper Group, she should apologize to Natalie first."

Daniela sat in her chair and rested her elbows on the table, while Elyse appeared overbearing, determined to get Nina fired. Cedric, frowning, stepped forward to stand protectively behind Daniela.

Elyse,noticing Cedric's imposing presence, swalowed nervously, her bravado faltered.

"You must make a choice today," Elyse demanded.

Daniela smiled faintly, her demeanor cool and detached. "Aunt Elyse, I always thought this was a family matter."

Elyse's furious expression wavered, her momentum clearly waning.

"Natalie is a top-tier graduate, returning from overseas with experience at prestigious companies. Is she incapable of distinguishing between personal and professional conduct? If evensuch trifling matters require my personal intervention, then I fail to see the purpose of having her as a secretary." Daniela's tone dripped with criticism.

Elyse was flustered. "No, that's not what I meant at all. Natalie is perfectly capable."

Daniela ignored the interruption, her sharp gaze fixed on Natalie, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Or perhaps, are you relying on our family connection to act so brazenly?"

Natalie, alarmed, opened her mouth to offer an explanation, but Daniela raised a hand to stop her. "If that's the case, then I don't want either Nina or Natalie. Otherwise, the company's operations will suffer, and I simply don't have the energy for that."

Natalie's eyes widened in shock. "I didn't mean to imply that."

Daniela looked at Natalie. "Since that wasn't your intention, I trust you'll handle your personal affairs with the appropriate discretion, huh?"

Natalie gritted her teeth, realizing she had been outmaneuvered. Daniela was incredibly skilled, handling the situation with a few well-chosen words, leaving her utterly speechless and defeated.

She managed a grudging "Yes," the word practically forced through her clenched jaw.

Daniela, maintaining her authoritative stance, continued to stare at Natalie. "Furthermore, your relationship with Linden has caused quite a stir within the company, creating a negative impression. While I offer you both my blessings, I sincerely hope that today's public display of affection in the hallway won't be repeated."

The phrase "public display of affection" was like a slap in the face for Natalie, mortifying her.

As Elyse dragged her out of the CEO's office, Natalie cast a lingering, complex glance at Cedric, her emotions a tangled mess of resentment, affection,and regret.

Outside Daniela's office, Elyse couldn't help but marvel. "Daniela is truly something else."

Natalie, concerned about her image in Cedric's eyes, was seething with anger.

"Mom, why did you involvé me in this if you weren't sure Daniela would fire Nina? Didn't you see how much Cedric despises me because of this? You've completely ruined everything for me!"

Elyse was taken aback by Natalie's outburst. "What are you talking about? I was standing up fo you,and now you're blaming me?"

Natalie retorted, "Who else should I blame? If you hadn't caused Aunt Brylee's death, would I have to fight tooth and nail for my inheritance like this? Aunt Brylee promised me the most lavish dowry when I grew up,but your greed for her assets led to her demise. Now, everything is in Daniela's hands, and she's so incredibly capable that I get nothing, while being humiliated by someone like Linden. You've completely ruined my life!"

Elyse stared at Natalie, her mouth agape in disbelief. "Natalie, you can't talk like this. Who was it that wanted to be the lady of a prominent family, free from others' charity? How can you say this now?"

Elyse was heartbroken, the pain of her daughter's words cutting deep. "You were the one who helped me plan everything back then. Now you're making it sound like I orchestrated everything alone."

Natalie dismissed her mother's words with a wave of her hand. "I was underage then, but you believed everything I said. Mom, don't you have any judgment of your own?"

Elyse looked at her daughter, feeling as if Natalie were a complete stranger.

Was this woman really her daughter?