Chapter 473

Daniela's words lingered in the silence.

Natalie was fuming with rage, on the brink of losing control

She stood rooted, nearly at the point of attacking Daniela.

Daniela was without a mother. How could she be so arrogant?

"That's none of your business," Elyse snapped.her anger matching her rage not to provoke Daniela further. "Natalie chose to be with Linden on her own:it's none of your concern,Daniela."

Daniela laughed. "Is that so? If I remember correctly.Natalie previously scoffed at Linden. So, she acts as if she hates him yet secretly loves him? Natalie,you have feelings for Linden, don't you?"

Right after she spoke, Linden, who was just entering the room, gave a scheming grin.

Natalie took a deep breath, preparing herself to confront Daniela.

"Yes! Natalie is somewhat shy, but she indeed has feelings for Linden," Elyse confirmed. Daniela looked directly at Natalie. "Really? Natalie,do you really have feelings for Linden? Should I set you up with him? What do you think?"

Natalie clenched her teeth. "There's no need for you to intervene,Daniela."

Following her response, the smile slowly disappeared from Daniela's face. "Is that so? Then perhaps I'm overstepping. If that's the case, I won't intervene in your issues either,Aunt Elyse."

"Please!" Elyse instantly became desperate. "Daniela,we're family,the closest there is. I'm your aunt, and I'm facing troubles; how can you turn me away? Daniela.I have no one else but you to depend on."

With that,Elyse approached Linden with a smile and placed his hand on Natalie's. "I support this marriage."

Daniela grinned."An ideal pair."

After leaving Daniela's office, Natalie was fuming, and on the verge of exploding. "What's the meaning of this, Mom?"Is your daughter really just a pawn in your game? You're selling me off to this jerk for your own sake."

Natalie spoke harshly, completely ignoring Linden's presence.

"What other choice did I have? Do you really think l wanted this? If we hadn't agreed, Daniela wouldn't have given us the money. So. who would have paid off the huge debt from the hotel?"

Natalie clenched her teeth.

Linden,leaning against the wall, observed the two women as they plotted and strategized, only to realize their helplessness.

They never understood that they were outmatched by Daniela.

Fed up with the scene.Linden walked over and pulled Natalie away.

Natalie exclaimed in surprise, "What exactly are you doing?"

Linden smirked, a hint of mischief on his lips. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

He stepped closer to Natalie, breathing warm air onto her face. As she flinched. Linden leaned in and whispered,"Fuck you."

Natalie fought back with all her strength,urging Elyse to step in and offer her help.

Suddenly, the CEO's office door swung open,and Daniela appeared at the far end of the corridor.watching the scene.

As she felt Daniela's gaze on her, Elyse's grip on Natalie's hand loosened.

A wave of fear washed over Natalie. She tightened htdrhiete bond Daniela looked on in silence, a subtle smile curving her lips.

Natalie shook her head at Elyse, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mom, please don't let him take me. You know what he'll do. I can't go with Linden. Please help me!"

Natalie's voice was thick with despair as she cried.

Elyse's eyes welled with tears. However, she quickly pulled her hand away from Natalie's.

Linden laughed as he pulled Natalie towards the elevator,making their movement obvious to everyone in the secretarial department.

Just as the elevator doors began io close, he lifted Natalie's shirt.

As Natalie screamed in terror. Linden kissed her forcefully,fully aware of the eyes watching them.

Elyse watched everything, shutting her eyes in surrender.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, Linden's hand moved lower, and Natalie, overwhelmed by the situation,closed her eyes in defeat.

The bystanders gasped, their disdain for Elyse and Natalie intensifying.

Elyse had the power to rescue her daughter. Had she intervened,Daniela would have commanded Linden to stop.

Was there no escape for Natalie?

Actually,there was.

If she had dialed the police right there. Linden would have given up without a fight, but Natalie chose not to.

Her act of closing her eyes signified surrendering to her fate, overwhelmed by financial burdens.

Daniela watched everything, her lips curling into a faint smile.

It was far from enough.

Nowhere near enough.

Only the complete ruin of those involved could ever make up for the loss of her mother.

Her mother had been taken too soon, and those responsible would not be easily let off.

Elyse wiped at the tears near her lips, turning to Daniela with a wide grin. "Daniela, you see? They're a perfect match. Daniela, all those previous issues were just misunderstandings. Now, about the retirement home you promised,when will I get it?"

She was sacrificing Natalie's future for wealth.

Daniela was mildly entertained. "What I promised, I'll certainly fulfill. Aunt Elyse, since Natalie and Linden seem so taken with each other, when are they planning to get married?"

Elyse's face shifted to one of disbelief.

Getting married?

A fling was something that held no real importance.

When Natalie rose to power, who would still recall her past mistakes?

But marriage was a different matter entirely.

A married status would bind Natalie to Linden forever.