Chapter 566

Nina let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Mom, you've admitted it yourself-I've been the one yielding since childhood. Why should it always be me who has to compromise? Natalie and I are both your daughters,so why do you keep favoring her?"

Elyse sighed, her brows knitting together. "I don't have a choice. There's only one lead role in this show. If there were two, I wouldn't have to put you in this difficult spot, would I? Can't you just be a little more understanding?"

That same weary,guilt-laden tone.

Every time Elyse spoke like this, Nina found herself giving in, sacrificing her own wants without question.

"I'm standing my ground this time," Nina said, turning away."When Dad passed away, he asked me to listen to you, and I have done so all these years. But it seems you've forgotten that I have dreams too. I'm not handing this role over to anyone! If someone has to step back, let it be Natalie!"

And with that, Nina spun on her heels and strode off.

Elyse stood there, wailing after her. "Are you trying to drive me to my grave, Nina? If I collapse here, your entire acting career will be ruined!"

Nina scoffed, her gaze lifting to the sky,unimpressed.

The same old guilt-tripping. It had lost its sting long ago.

Not bothering to turn around, she walked away.

Elyse, unwilling to give up, dragged Natalie to see Daniela.

"Daniela, could you fund another project and move Nina to that one? Let Natalie have this lead role instead,please?" Nearby, Lillian rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Do you think making a show is as easy as waving a magic wand? It takes serious money! If it's so simple,why don't you fund it yourself?"

Elyse clutched Natalie's hand tightly, then dropped to her knees before Daniela. "Daniela, I'm desperate,which is why I'm begging you. You know I lack your wealth and power. I'm just a helpless mother with nowhere else to turn. Please, help my daughters!"

Just then, Cedric walked in from outside, his gaze landing on the two kneeling figures.

"Daniela, Ryan wants you to call him. He has something important to discuss."

Daniela gave a slight nod and got to her feet.

Cedric turned to Josie. "Take some fruit upstairs for Daniela. Honestly, why do people always show up here uninvited?"

With that, he dropped into the chair Daniela had just left. "Alright, what ddo you want?" Elyse's gaze trailed after Daniela as she disappeared upstairs, her hope momentarily deflating.

"Daniela already agreed to set up a film project for Natalie.Cedric,could you help make it happen?"

Cedric arched a brow and glanced at Lillian. "Is that true?"

Lillian scoffed. "NNo."

Cedric leaned back and eyed Elyse. "You heard her.It's not happening."

The moment the words left his mouth, Elyse burst into tears. "Cedric, you don't understand how difficult my life has been. I have nowhere else to turn,which is why I'm asking you. With your influence,securing a movie deal should be effortless. If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to keep pestering Daniela. Surely that's more troublesome, right? I swear, if you help me this once, I won't trouble Daniela ever again!"

Of course, that was not true. She would at most stop bothering Daniela until these films were finished.

Cedric's face darkened. Was she trying to threaten him? "Are you looking for trouble?"

Unlike Daniela's composed nature, Cedric exuded a cold, commanding presence, his gaze perpetually lowered as if others weren't worth his attention.

Elyse froze at his words. "What?" Had she misheard him?

"What? A wicked heart and deaf ears too?" Cedric's eyes burned with anger. "I asked if you were looking for trouble."

Elyse's heart pounded under Cedric's sharp gaze."What do you mean?"

"You went to my wife for favors. Did you ask me first?"

Elyse opened her mouth, but Cedric's cold voice sliced through. "What's hers is mine. Asking her is the same as asking me. And everyone knows I never take a loss." Elyse ducked her head, forcing a smile. "It's not really a loss, is it? We're family. You help us, we help you. It's mutual, right?"

"Really? And how exactly do you plan to help me?"

"Well...it's not like you need anything, right? We'd love to help, but you're rich and powerful. What could we possibly offer? Our help would just get in your way."

Cedric let out a chilling chuckle. "So, you think you can just keep leeching off me forever?"

He leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "Do I look like a generous man to you?"

Elyse pressed her lips together, uneasy.

Cedric's tone turned final. "Either let Natalie settle for her supporting role or pull her out of the film entirely. I don't lack actresses. And let me make one thing clear-everything Daniela owns belongs to me.Anyone who tries to take it is signing their death warrant."

Elyse recoiled instantly. "No, we wouldn't dare!"

After leaving the house, Elyse finally exhaled.Cedric's presence was suffocating-he truly terrified her.

"Natalie, you heard him-Cedric isn't someone we can cross. And remember, I already warned Daniela about the people pulling strings behind the scenes.She let you return and got me out of the asylum-she's planning something. We need to leave, find a place where no one knows us, and start over. Okay?"