Chapter 458

Elyse tilted her head, a brief frown creasing her face before quickly composing herself.

"They're here," Elyse murmured,pointing to the mirror's faint reflection.

"Did Daniela tie up Linden? Who would've guessed she had such a wild side?" Elyse sneered,a mocking smile Curling on her lips.

The room was dimly lit, with shadowy figures appearing blurred and indistinct in the mirror.

Natalie strained to see more clearly, but the figures in the mirror flickered and faded,disappearing without a trace.

"Mom,do you think something might go wrong?"Natalie asked, her voice tinged with unease.

She had spent considerable time with Daniela recently and genuinely sensed that Daniela was far from an ordinary person.

Elyse waved off her concern with a dismissive shrug."What could go wrong?Daniela's been hypnotized.I saw her myself,sprawled across Linden's bed. When I left, he was already on top of her.How could that possibly be fake?" Natalie frowned. "And Daniela didn't react at all?"

Elyse chuckled and said, "What reaction could she possibly have? I had to sell everything I owned just to afford that expensive hypnotist, all to ensure our plan went smoothly."

Natalie glanced at the security feed, eyes narrowing at the empty room displayed on the screen.

"Stop obsessing over that. The camera angle is limited.They're probably tucked away in a corner somewhere."Elyse's laugh was sharp, edged with something brittle.

With a careless flick of her hand, she ordered an expensive bottle of wine she couldn't afford.

"Come on, Natalie. This might take a while. Why deny ourselves a little luxury? This bottle costs over eight hundred grand.I've been dyingto try it."

Elyse signaled the waiter to uncork the bottle,but Natalie reached out stopping him. She advised, "Mom.maybe we shouldn't rush to celebrate just yet. If something goes wrong, we won't even be able to pay for this wine."

They barely had eighty thousand left, let alone eight hundred thousand.

Russell had been breathing down their necks,demanding the rest of his payment.

The sting of an empty wallet had become all too tomiliar to Natalie

Elyse scoffed,prying Natalie's hand from the waiter's arm."Open it," she snapped, then ordered a round of overpriced steaks.

As she dug into her meal,Elyse spoke through bites."Life's too short so we should indulge in the finer things.Once Linden's done, I'll have him kill Daniela.After that,everything she owns will be ours."

Natalie's brow furrowed. "I'm just worried Linden might not have the guts to do it."

Elyse threw her head back, laughing. "Oh, he will. He knows the consequences if he doesn't."

Her gaze lingered on her daughter,noting the striking resemblance to Daniela. "And when Cedric's heart shatters over losing his beloved wifa, he'll marry you Before long. Daniela's and Cedric's fortunes will be yours.You'll have everything you ever dreamed ofl"

Elyse was brimming with dreams of what the future held.

Natalie's tension eased, a smile slowly spreading across her face.

Meanwhile, reporters invited to the hotel to take photos arrived early, their cameras slung over their shoulders.

Elyse welcomed them with lavish hospitality.pouring fine wine like it grew on trees. courteously interviewed Elyse.

"Ms. Dury, can you confirm if your information is accurate? Is Daniela truly cheating on Cedric?"

Elyse nodded solemnly, feigning regret. "I couldn't believe it myself at first. A close friend, an executive here, saw it firsthand and told me. It's unfortunate for the family. But I suppose it's understandable. Daniela lost her mother at a young age, grew up without parental guidance, and endured long-term abuse from her stepmother, Katrina. It's no wonder her way of thinking is so different from most people."

Á bespectacled reporter leaned forward, eyeing Elyse intently."I've heard Daniela's affair is with her family doctor.Is that true?"

Elyse sighed dramatically. "Yes. I was the one who introduced the doctor to her. The guilt eats at me."

She put on her best sincere face. "I didn't invite you here to spread rumors. Cheating is wrong and I hope Daniela realizes her mistake and mends her ways.I know you're all reporters, but please, I ask that you don't write anything misleading."

The reporters exchanged knowing glances, nodding in agreement. "Of course."

But one reporter frowned. "When I was at Elite Lux for an interview, I saw Linden. He looked particularly unappealing.Why would Daniela be interested in him?Is there more to this than you're letting on?" Elyse's expression stiffened, but she quickly masked any sign of anger in front of the reporters.

With a smile, she responded, "There's no hidden story.They were constantly exchanging glances at the company. I couldn't even bear to watch them."

The reporter wasn't convinced. "Considering Daniela's taste in men, I doubt she'd fall for Linden. With her current status, finding a handsome man would be a breeze. So why him?" The reporter pulled out his phone,showing a picture of Linden. "Look, everyone,here's Linden. And this photo is clearly photoshopped.He looks uglier in person."

Many of the reporters hadn't given Linden much thought before. Now, seeing the photo, they were all taken aback, their expressions filled with shock. "Is this Linden?"

Everyone turned to Elyse, their eyes sharp with doubt."Ms. Dury, could you have made a mistake? Maybe they're just conducting business upstairs. Surely,Daniela wouldn't choose a man like that."