?Chapter 863:


    Then, in a calm, precise voice, she began reading thements aloud. “Didn’t Natalie act like she was way out of any ordinary guy’s league? How did she end up in bed with Doug?”


    “Wait, let’s be clear. That wasn’t in bed. They were having sex inside an elevator!”


    “Why would Natalie do this? Such a beauty, wasted. Look at her, crying like that. What a shame.”


    “Don’t pity her. She had no issue fooling around with Doug, a married man. Now Joyce is a widow, and Natalie’s just a home-wrecking slut who deserves what’sing to her!”


    “Everyone should hate Natalie! Get rid of her already!”


    Dani continued reading with the smooth detachment of a news anchor. But the moment Elyse heard her daughter being called a “bitch,” she couldn’t take it anymore.


    “Dani, stop! Stop reading! These people online are just spewing garbage!”


    Dani put the tablet down and tilted her head slightly, feigning surprise. “Oh? Is that so? Then I suppose all these photos, videos, and gifs flooding the inte are fake? If that’s the case, we should sue these media outlets immediately. Would you like me to call awyer for you?”


    Elyse wrung her hands together and hesitated. “Well… it did happen, but Doug was the one who seduced Natalie! She’s virtuous,pletely innocent. How could she ever be interested in someone like him?” Just as she finished, a sharpugh came from Nina.


    Elyse’s eyes darkened as she turned to re at Nina before quickly looking back at Dani. “Doug set the whole thing up. That scoundrel deserved to die!”


    Dani studied Elyse, watching how easily she shifted the me onto someone else. Her voice was calm as she asked, “So, what exactly do you want me to do?”


    Elyse didn’t hesitate. “Isn’t Joyce your stepsister? Tell her to stop spreading rumors online. I’ll have Natalie issue a statement, and she just needs to stay quiet.”


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    Dani spread her hands with an easy shrug. “Afraid that’s not possible.”


    At those words, a flicker of malice shed across Elyse’s face, but she quickly smoothed it over. “Why not? Elite Lux is far ahead of the Fairburne family in wealth and influence. What, are you afraid of them? Dani, you’re not someone who backs down that easily, are you?”


    Dani let out a soft chuckle. “Doug died. And it happened while Natalie was with him. You expect me to use power to cover this up? That doesn’t seem right, does it? Besides, as you said, Joyce is my stepsister. I can’t help you crush her, can I? My father wouldn’t be happy about that.”


    Elyse’s expression twisted. “Dani, if you don’t want to help, just say it. Why bother making excuses? Everyone knows you cut ties with your father ages ago. Who are you trying to fool?”


    Elyse’s expression darkened with displeasure. Dani’s face turned cold in an instant, thest traces of amusement vanishing. “So, since I’ve cut ties with Caiden and my mother passed away long ago, that means I have no reason to help Natalie, doesn’t it?” Her voice was sharp, carrying the weight of authority.


    A chill ran down Elyse’s spine, as if she had been doused with ice water.


    Dani leaned back slightly. “Since you also don’t see us as family, please—”


    Nina stepped forward, raising a hand toward the door in an unmistakable gesture.


    Elyse’s face burned with humiliation. She shot a re at Nina, then at Dani, before stomping her foot in frustration and storming out.


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