?Chapter 816:


    Elyse was filled with regret. “It was all just a huge misunderstanding. Everything gotpletely misunderstood!”


    Elyse’s expression appeared sincere. To anyone watching, her distress would likely seem real.


    “But what can we do?” Dani smiled faintly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Natalie, you ended up sleeping with Linden, didn’t you?”


    Natalie was already deeply embarrassed by the situation. She clenched her teeth and red at Dani.


    Dani merelyughed and nced at Elyse’s stiff smile. “It was all a misunderstanding, but what can we do now? Can you reim what’s been lost?”


    Dani’s words hung in the air, lingering in the silence.


    Natalie, fuming with rage, was on the verge of losing control. She stood frozen, almost ready to attack Dani.


    Dani, having lost her own mother, seemed so arrogant, so detached.


    “That’s none of your business,” Elyse snapped, her anger rising but trying not to provoke Dani further. “Natalie chose to be with him on her own. It’s none of your concern, Dani.”


    Daniughed. “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?”


    Just as she finished speaking, Linden, who had just entered the room, gave a scheming grin.


    Natalie took a deep breath, ready to confront Dani. “Yes! Natalie is somewhat shy, but she does indeed have feelings for Linden,” Elyse confirmed.


    Dani locked eyes with Natalie. “Really? Natalie, do you truly have feelings for Linden? Should I set you up with him? What do you think?”


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    Natalie clenched her teeth. “There’s no need for you to intervene, Dani.”


    The smile on Dani’s face slowly faded. “Is that so? Then perhaps I’m overstepping. If that’s the case, I won’t interfere in your matters either, Aunt Elyse.”


    “Please!” Elyse instantly became desperate. “Dani, we’re family, the closest there is. I’m your aunt, and I’m facing troubles—how can you turn me away? Dani, I have no one else to depend on.”


    With that, Elyse approached Linden, ced her hand on Natalie’s, and smiled. “I support this marriage.”


    Dani grinned. “An ideal pair.”


    After leaving Dani’s office, Natalie was seething, on the verge of exploding. “What is 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,pletely ignoring Linden’s presence.


    “What other choice did I have?” Elyse said, her voice full of frustration. “Do you really think I wanted this? If we hadn’t agreed, Dani 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 Dani.


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


    Natalie eximed 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.”


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