Chapter 442

Natalie waited in silence, starting to wonder if the call had been disconnected.

She checked her phone, relieved to see it was still connected.

"Hello? Mom,why are you silent?" Elyse's silence was strange. But Natalie was too caught up in the thrill of what seemed like an unbelievable stroke of luck to notice. She laughed, her voice full of energy."Mom,tell me! Did you sign something with Daniela? Did she give you shares of Elite Lux? Speak up!"

The silence from the other end continued,stretching on.

After a lengthy pause, Elyse's slow response came."What? Of course not. Why would that happen?"

Natalie furrowed her brows. "No?"

If Elyse had been paying attention,she would have noticed the surprise and subtle disappointment in Natalie's tone.

"No. Of course not," Elyse affirmed. "Why would Daniela be so generous as to give me shares in Elite Lux? It's world-renowned and a leader in its field. Why would she give me anything? Natalie, you're thinking too much."

Natalie clenched her phone. her tone turning icy as she listened to Elyse. "Are you absolutely sure Daniela didn't give you shares in Elite Lux?"

Elyse answered firmly, "No,she didn't."

Natalie pressed further, "What about other things?"

Elyse chuckled. "Oh, my dear! How could that be?Does Daniela have so much money that she doesn't know what to do with it? Why woula she offer me anything?"

Natalie looked down, her gaze falling. "Did you sign anything with Daniela?"

Elyse responded, "My dear, what's got you so worked up? What could I have signed with Daniela? Well,I did bring a few Harper Group contracts for her to sign earlier, but that's all."

Natalie hung up the phone. She knew her mother well -whenever Elyse was lying, she would unconsciously say "my dear." She had said it twice duringtheir call.

That was sufficient to confirm that the agreement was genuine, and the Elite Lux shares were indeed transferred.

But why was Elyse keeping it from her?

Natalie was certain her mother understood the immense effort she had invested in those matters. She had endured harassment from Linden.

Elyse had seen everything unfold herself, yet chose to keep the acquisition of Elite Lux's shares hidden. What could be her reason?

Did Elyse take pleasure in her suffering?

Natalie couldn't stop herself from silently blaming her mother.

Rage boiled within her, threatening to unravel her composure.

A few days later, the city construction bidding meeting was scheduled.

Daniela attended the auction and told Natalie, "Tell Aunt Elyse to meet me at the bidding site."

Still upset from the past few days, Natalie frowned at the request. "Did you just say you want my mother to attend the bidding meeting as well?"

Daniela nodded. "Yes. Is there an issue?"

Natalie had a sinking feeling, suspecting it was related to those contracts. "My mother knows nothing about bidding, and tonight's auction is under Elite Lux's name.What's her involvement?"

Natalie glanced at Daniela, but she remained silent.

A growing sense of unease washed over Natalie. She went with Daniela to the bidding event. Before they got there, Natalie saw Elyse, impeccably dressed.waiting by the entrance.

As Daniela stepped out of the car.Elyse greeted her with surprising enthusiasm. "Daniela, you made it!"

Daniela, ever the woman of few words,simply nodded.

Elyse, unbothered and unusually sweet, remarked,"This land is massive, hundreds of acres. I heard it would cost over two hundred billion to acquire.Daniela, don't you think that's a bit excessive?"

Elyse's eyes gleamed with unmistakable greed.

Daniela chuckled. "As long as it pleases you, Aunt Elyse." Elyse's joy was unmistakable, her face glowing with excitement,practically bouncing in place.

Natalie stood off to the side, squinting her eyes.

It didn't seem like Daniela was there to bid for the land:it felt more like the land was already Elyse's.

The bidding was fierce.

The land, located in a prime city spot, attracted many property companies. Elyse sat with the representatives, her eyes wide, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the event.

Her emotions were running wild.

This was the realm of the wealthy, where money was little more than a game. The bids climbed past one hundred and fifty billiordollars

Elyse glanced at Danieia, who had yet to place a bidand asked, "Daniela, in't it time to join in?

Daniela nodded, and to Eyse's surprise, she raised thebid, "Two hundred bilion," she announced

The moment the words left her mouth, all eyes turnedto Danieis

Elyse's face fushed bright red with excitement. Shoreveled in the attention, straightening her back, herexpression smug as she looked down on the crowd

in her mind, the land was already hers, without adoubt.

In the end, Daniela successfully secured the land fortwo hundred and thirty bilion.

As Daniela made the payment, Elyse beamed withdelight.

Once the payment was completed, Daniela left thescene.

Elyse lingered at the site, reluctant to leave. soaking inthe admiring glances from the crowd.

Natalie stood nearby, her eyes narrowed.

She pulled Elyse aside, asking sharply, "Mom, tell me the truth. Does the land Daniela bid on tonight have anything to do with you?"

Elyse shot NNatalie a disapproving look. "My dear, how could this land possibly have anything to do with me?What are you always thinking?"

Natalie pressed further, "Then why are you so excited?"

Elyse's annoyance grew. "Am I not allowed to be happy? Do you have a problem with me living well?Weren't you the one who blamed me for Brylee's death before? Let me tell you-without Brylee,I can still make my own way and build a successful future."

Natalie asked, "What do you mean?"

Elyse opened her mouth to respond, but then remembered the agreement with Daniela.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing at all.You're reading too much into it. I'm just Daniela's aunt.What could she possibly give me? Could she give me the land she just acquired? My dear, what kind of fantasies are you having?"

Natalie narrowed her eyes.

Elyse had once again slipped into calling her "my dear"multiple times.

"Mom,have you really decided to keep secrets from me, your own daughter?" Natalie's tone suddenty turned cold as she stared at Elyse.