Chapter 266

Joyce was initially baffled by Daniela's words. She hesitated, her head bowed as she fished out her phone from her pocket.

Upon viewing the text, Joyce became statue-still. Then, looking at Daniela, she uttered, "What are you getting at here?"

"You were seeking some leverage, weren't you?"

Tears welled up in Joyce's eyes as she leaned in, trying to hug Daniela.

But Daniela blocked her advance, keeping her at arm's length.

"Thank you, Daniela!"

Daniela cracked a small smile and shifted her focus to her phone. "You're a shareholder of the robotics company.Should you need support, the company will stand behind you. You'll see dividends in due course;financial worries won't trouble you."

Joyce's excitement was unmistakable, radiating from her expression.

However,Katrina's expression darkened.

This windfall only fueled Joyce's combative spirit. The more Daniela contributed, the bigger the storm Joyce would brew for the Bennett family.

Joyce had just learned that Alexander had been intended to save Daniela from the fire, and now she seethed with anger.

With fresh resources and Daniela's pledged support, Joyce was primed to return and wreak havoc on the Bennett family.

Katrina saw Joyce as a pawn in Daniela's game. As Joyce stood abruptly, pride lifting her stature, Katrina reached out and held her arm. "Joyce, listen to me.Daniela has an agenda. You're too upset now. Maybe hold off on going back just yet."

Joyce shook off Katrina's grasp, her face etched with frustration. "Mom, I don't understand you anymore.Can't you see Alexander has driven me to the edge? Instead of backing me, you're preaching calm? You never held back when you went after Daniela. You always taught me that victory was all that counts.If I back down now, I'Il be forever marginalized in the Bennett family. You've always lived by your own rules, and now you expect me to just fold? That's hardly fair! You've grown old and lost your zest, and frankly, Daniela shows me more kindness than you do. People are inherently selfish; that much is clear. You just want a comfortable life, just like when Alexander hurt me and you turned a blind eye."

Tears streamed down Katrina's cheeks. "Darling, how can you accuse me like that?"

"Mom, stop worrying about me. I know what I'mn doing. You go ahead and cozy up to Daniela. She's a good person." With those words, Joyce departed without a backward glance.

Katrina watched her daughter disappear, a pang of dread rising in her heart.

She felt on the brink of losing Joyce; perhaps she already had.

Fright gnawing at her, Katrina approached Daniela hastily. "What are you plotting? What are your intentions with Joyce?"

Daniela paused, then locked eyes with Katrina.

Under the harsh overhead lighting, Daniela's eyes shone with a sharp gleam, her lips curving into a subtle,icy smile. "Why don't you tell me?"

Katrina was momentarily taken aback. Under Daniela's penetrating stare, her heart pounded wildly. She had an uneasy suspicion that Daniela knew more than she was letting on. But she wasn't sure.

"What do you mean? Are you trying to hurt Joyce? Daniela, we've never been adversaries. Why manipulate her like this?"

Daniela brushed off the allegation, nonchalantly turning off her phone's screen. She then rose gracefully to her full height, looming over Katrina who clenched her fists. Daniela leaned in, her voice a whisper near Katrina's ear. "Are you certain we've never been adversaries? Or perhaps..."

She trailed off, leaving the thought hanging.

Katrina watched as Daniela straightened, her demeanor echoing that of Brylee's.

A chill snaked through Katrina.

She shivered slightly as Daniela finished her thought.

"Or perhaps this is a blood feud!"