Chapter 339

That evening, there was a department gathering.

Daniela was present, accompanied by Lillian.

At the event, Elyse was undeniably the center of attention, radiating vitality and charm.

Her relationship with Daniela was well-known,ensuring she was treated with deference. Toasts made in Daniela's honor invariably included compliments for Elyse.

As the evening progressed, Elyse approached Daniela,smiling.

"Darling, you've truly excelled. I'm so proud of you1.1bet your mother is too, watching over you with joy.We used to talk about everything.I promised her that if she ever had a daughter, I'd cherish her as my own.Sadly, I didn't keep that promise. Your hardships in the Harper family were unbearable, and | was helpless to intervene." Elyse's eyes welled up as she recounted.

She paused, searching Daniela's face for any sign of emotion, but finding none, she embraced her. "My dear,you seem so much more reserved now. It's my fault. Please, if anything is bothering you,you must share it with me."

Daniela distanced herself from Elyse, her response detached. "Nothing is troubling me."

Elyse accepted this, nodding. "You've always been perceptive, even as a child."

Drying her tears, she leaned closer, lowering her voice. "What are your thoughts regarding that woman?"

"Which woman?" Daniela asked.

"Katrina," Elyse answered. "Be cautious around her;she's shrewd. Your parents had a wonderful marriage until she came along. I suspect she played a role in mother's tragic death."

Daniela played idly with her wine glass, her voice casual."Really?"

"Absolutely," Elyse insisted, her tone filled with conviction. "I often visited your home back then.I witnessed your father growing close to her in the villa. Had it not been out of concern for your mother's feelings, I would have exposed their affair much earlier. And sure enough, after your mother died, Katrina assumed her place. It's too coincidental to be innocent."

At this, Daniela's laughter was sharp and cold. "Aunt Elyse."

"Yes?" Elyse answered, but Daniela didn't speak for a while.

Elyse looked up abruptly, meeting Daniela's indifferent gaze.

There was an unmistakable distance to Daniela,something Elyse couldn't quite connect with. As Elyse was about to say more, Daniela spoke evenly. "Three years ago, before my marriage to Alexander, I asked you a question."

Suddenly, Elyse's smile vanished, her face suddenly tense. She stuttered, "Did you? What was it that you asked?"②

A flicker of recollection crossed Elyse's features, her complexion turning ashen.

Daniela replied, "I asked whether Katrina had an inappropriate relationship with my father and if her involvement had anything to do with my mother's death."

At that time, Elyse had dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand, saying, "Impossible! Your mother was a business genius. What harm could Katrina, just a maid, do to her? It was purely an accident. Don't dwell on it. Let the past stay in the past."

Daniela vividly recalled Elyse's dismissive gesture from that conversation.Elyse had been so certain back then.

She was one of the very few Daniela had truly trusted.

But now, Elyse's words were at odds with her previous assurances.

Elyse's expression momentarily tensed but quickly smoothed over. "You were on theverge of marrying Alexander at that time. I feared revealing more might disrupt your plans. Besides, given your circumstances then, I wanted to protect you from potential harm."

Elyse quickly crafted a plausible explanation, aligning her reasoning neatly. "Now, however, your circumstances have changed.You wield more power,and I believe you deserve the truth. Daniela, surely you don't hold my earliersilence against me?"

Daniela's gaze dropped to her wine glass as she murmured, "No, I don't."

"I knew you'd understand. As your mother's cousin, my loyalty to you is unwavering. Daniela, you must recognize the danger Katrina poses and address it."

Daniela took a sip from her glass and rose. "I'm feeling rather weary. Aunt Elyse, I'll be leaving now."

With those words, she walked away.

Elyse watched Daniela departure, shaking her head slightly before seamlessly blending back into the gathering.

In the car, Lillian turned to Daniela and commented,"I think your aunt has a point. Katrina is a problem.Why not take care of her sooner rather than waiting?"

Daniela, seated in the back, observed the passing scenery, her eyes gradually narrowing.

On the day Katrina was discharged from the hospital,Daniela was just leaving her office.

"Daniela! Your reckoning will come soon enough!"