Chapter 315

Katrina couldn't contain her emotions any longer. She yanked Joyce outside, her temper flaring, "Joyce, do you really intend to embarrass me like this?"

Joyce's demeanor was unaffected. Her face showed no emotion, utterly impassive. "Mom, I pleaded with you, yet you declined. You prioritized your own desires, neglecting mine. I had no choice but to depend on myself. Was | wrong? The reason I'm here today is because of you. You're the one who should be reflecting on this."

Katrina felt herself teetering on the edge of sanity. Her eyes bore into Joyce with a frosty intensity.. "Leave Doug now! Return home, and you'Il still be my daughter."

"Being your daughter means little to me at this point. What matters is preserving my integrity," Joyce responded indifferently.

Katrina's eyes welled up with tears. "I put so much effort into raising you, and this is how you repay me?I promised I would find a way to help you."

In her sleek, designer dress, Joyce maintained her composure."Oh really? Your help involved letting someone attack me with a knife? You had an option but chose not to take it. I was forced to carve my own path.I stand by my actions."

Tears rolled down Katrina's cheeks.

Joyce, however, stayed unmoved. "I see, Mom. Everyone looks out for their own interests. I understand. You weren't willing to make sacrifices for me."

Katrina opened her mouth to respond, but Joyce cut her off."There's no need for further discussion.I've made my choice. I've never managed to make you proud. If you feel disgraced by me, then feel free to declare to the world that you don't have a daughter like me."

With these words, Joyce began to walk away. Katrina hugged herself tightly, shlvering as tears streamed down her face, watching Joyce's figure recode into the distance.

At that moment, she realized she was on the verge of losing the daughter she had cherished all her life.

Doug was well-known for his notorious sexual escapades. Despite Joyce's attendance at the event in a stunning gown, her attire revealed no skin.

The rationale was clear to all present.

Beneath the outward elegance lay a life filled with pain and sacrifice.

Upon Katrina's return home, she found Daniela already there.

Bathed in soft lighting, Daniela looked as radiant as ever.Cedric was there too, feeding her orange slices one by one.

Cedric murmured something quietly.

Daniela looked at him with a mix of surprise and curiosity, to which Cedric simply offered a reassuring smile.

The atmosphere in the living room was warm and intimate.

Katrina lingered at the doorway, paralyzed, untilthe numbness in her feet jolted her back to reality.

Her daughter was enduring hardship. Why was Brylee's daughter being doted on by Olisvine's most distinguished man?

How could Katrina not feel envious?

How could she not harbor resentment?

How could she not be seething with anger?

As Katrina's hands formed tight fists, Daniela seemed to finally notice her. Daniela glanced her way, her expression indifferent and almost dismissive.

After a brief moment, she turned her attention away, completely ignoring the rage in Katrina's eyes. Katrina was seething with anger. Her fists tightly clenched, she approached Daniela. "Is this your doing? Dld you orchestrate Joyce's marriage to Doug?"

Daniela reclined on the sofa, fixing Katrina with a cold stare.

In the past, when confronted with accusations like this, she would simply respond, "You're overthinking it."

However,today, when Katrina pressed her, Daniela chuckled briefly and asked, "What if I did?"

Her cold gaze slowly rose to meet Katrina's. "What are you going to do about it?"

For a moment, Katrina was at a loss for words.

She felt an urge to lunge forward and strike Daniela. Yet, as her hand lifted, Cedric intercepted it and pushed it away.

Katrina staggered and nearly toppled over.

Observing Daniela's composedexpression, Katrina understood that this was Daniela's retribution for Brylee.

"You're trying to destroy me and Joyce. Daniela,you venomous snake!"

Daniela kept her eyes on the television, her face remaining stoic and detached. She did not even glance at Katrina again.

Katrina boiled with rage, yet she was powerless to act. Cedric's presence barred her from getting any closer to Daniela.

"Very well, Daniela, just you wait!"

Daniela's smile was serene. "I've been waiting for this. Just don't keep me waiting too long."