?Chapter 984:


    On the other side of the ss partition, Natalie wept uncontrobly. “Mom! You don’t know how much I’ve suffered!”


    Elyse’s throat tightened as she fought back tears.


    “Mom, listen to me! This is all Nina’s fault! She knew I wanted that lead role, so she pushed me to the edge on purpose! And Linden must have been Dani’s pawn, sent to ruin me! You were right all along, Mom. Dani is out for revenge!”


    Elyse drew in a slow breath, her shoulders heavy.


    Natalie’s tear-streaked face twisted in desperation, her voice trembling. “Mom! You have to make Dani and Nina pay for this!”


    Her eyes burned with expectation, waiting for Elyse’s reassurance.


    But instead, Elyse let out another long sigh. “Natalie, you’re already in prison. What’s the point of fixating on this now?”


    The words hit Natalie like a p, her body going rigid as disbelief filled her eyes. Elyse continued, “I warned you before—Dani is out of your league. But you refused to listen. If you had focused on building your career abroad, none of this would have happened. And now, after everything, you expect me to stand against her? Do you have any idea what that would mean for me?”


    Her tone hardened as she added, “Nina is the only one I have left. Thanks to your scheming, she hates me. I’m already walking on thin ice with her, so don’t make this any harder for me.”


    Natalie had been spoiled her entire life. Being cast aside like this sent her into a spiral.


    “Mom! Are you even hearing yourself? I was framed! And instead of defending me, your own daughter, you’re only thinking about yourself? How could you be so heartless?”


    Elyse’s expression didn’t change. “You’re too worked up to listen to reason. No matter what I say, you won’t hear it. That’s enough for now. I’ll visit another time.”


    With that, she ended the call.


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    As she rose to leave, a loudmotion erupted behind the ss. Natalie had shot up from her seat, only for the guards to shove her back down.


    Elyse heard it all but never turned around.


    She walked away, each step heavier than thest, knowing this would be thest time.


    Natalie had once been her greatest pride. But now, with cracks beyond repair, there was no reason to hold on.


    Back home, Elyse prepared two bowls of soup.


    One was for Nina.


    Nina epted it without a nce, setting it on a nearby table. Momentster, a passing crew member identally knocked it over, spilling the contents onto the floor.


    Nina didn’t even flinch.


    Elyse bent down, picking up the thermos with a quiet sigh. “Nina, no matter what, I’m still your mother. Your father passed away when you were young, and I raised both you and your sister on my own. I know you resent me, but I swear—I’ll make things right.”


    Nina took a slow sip of water. “You don’t have to, Mom. As far as I’m concerned, I died the day you left me to rot in that warehouse.”


    Elyse’s expression darkened, her features twisting with anger. She looked at Nina as if she were a stranger—one she wanted nothing to do with.


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