Chapter 146

The meeting unfolded in the cafeteria on the first floor.

Daniela, fresh from leading a conference, treated herself to a bowl of pasta, savoring each bite with a serene composure.

Merely a few paces from her, Caiden and Katrina found themselves hemmed in by a quintet of imposing security guards.

Daniela's voice carried a cool detachment as she addressed them. "If you have something to say, make it quick. You've got ten minutes."

Caiden's expression blended shock and pain. "Daniela,is this how you treat your own father?"

Unperturbed, Daniela continued to ate her food.

Midway through her meal, she asked casually, "Did you take that document severing our relationship as nothing more than a joke?"

Caiden opened his mouth to respond, yet words failed him. Daniela pressed on, her tone unyielding. "After you exploited our last shred of familial ties to secure a position for Joyce,why pretend there's a fence left to mend?"

Katrina, attempting to diffuse the tension, chimed in with an overly bright smile. "Come on, that was just a family spat. Sometimes people say things they don't mean in the heat of the moment."

"Is that so? That agreement is upheld by the law,"Daniela retorted, her voice slicing through the air."You're both well beyond the age of such jokes. If there's something pressing on your minds, state it clearly. Don't waste my time."

Caiden's gaze lingered on Daniela's face, seeing echoes of Brylee in her features, and his eyes narrowed with resolve.

"Fine. Just give me the cardiac-repair medicine.Then I'll go," Caiden declared, clenching his teeth as he felt his dignity being eroded.

Katrina maintained her sweet demeanor, her smile unwavering. "Daniela, since it's clear you've stripped all sentiment from this equation, we shall not owe you any favors. Just name your price, and we'll settle it."

She deliberately raised her voice, making sure the media clustered at the door caught every word, painting Daniela as ruthless and opportunistic.

As Katrina's words hung in the air, Daniela flicked a glance towards her before turning her eyes to the media throng at the entrance.

She arched an eyebrow and allowed a small, knowing smile to play on her lips.

It seemed like the perfect moment to unveil Dreamscape's latest breakthrough to the world.

"Yes," Daniela responded evenly. "We indeed possess the treatment you're inquiring about, and if you're prepared to meet the cost, that's agreeable to me."

Katrina,seizing the moment, leaned closer to Caiden and murmured conspiratorially, "Told you, didn't l?Daniela's all about the money-nothing else matters to her. She'd overlook even the bonds of family for profit. Once she states her price, let's skip the haggling. We'll manage it, for our baby's sake."

Katrina spoke with defiance, as though completely unafraid. She meant every word, or so it seemed.

Caiden responded with a look filled with gratitude and whispered tenderly, "Katrina, marrying you was the best decision of my life."

Radiating warmth and serenity, Katrina smiled at him.In her mind, the cost wouldn't be steep; after all,how expensive could the medicine be?

All she wanted was to ruin Daniela's image completely.

If Daniela dared to take money for the medicine,Caiden's wrath would be absolute, and public opinion would cast her as the ruthless villain who turned her back on her family.

In Katrina's eyes, her strategy was foolproof.

"Three hundred million," Daniela declared, placing her fork on the table. Her gaze met Katrina's. "Transfer that sum to Dreamscape, and you'll get the medicine."

Katrina froze, her expression one of sheer disbelief."How much did you say?"

"Three hundred million," Daniela reiterated firmly,maintaining eye contact. "What's the problem? A moment ago, you appeared quite eager. Does this mean you don't value a human life at three hundred million?"

The smug smile that had been playing on Katrina's lips suddenly stiffened.

"Daniela, don't you dare push it! We've bought medicine before, and there's no way in hell it costs that much!" She strode towards the entrance, signaling to the gathering reporters. "See this for yourselves,everyone. Daniela's trying to extort money from us. Three hundred million!"

Daniela's lips curled into a subtle smile.

That twisted smile made Katrina's blood run cold.

Of all things, nothing terrified her more than seeing Daniela grin like that.