Chapter 437

At this moment, the elevator doors slid open, and Cedric stepped out.

The soft glow from outside illuminated his sharp features, stirring an unexpected flutter in Natalie's heart.

She realized that no matter how much time had passed, her feelings for Cedric had never wavered. If anything,they had onlygrown stronger.

"Cedric,"she called out.

Cedric was discussing Elite Lux's security upgrades with Ryan when he heard her.

When he spotted Natalie, he stopped mid-conversation and asked, "Ms. Dury, do you need something?"

Natalie couldn't help but feel a sting at how distant and formal Cedric addressed her.

"Cedric, we used to go to the same school. There's no need to be so formal. Just call me Natalie."

Elyse observed the exchange from a distance, anticipation gleaming in her eyes.

In her mind, Cedric was the ideal candidate for a son-in-law.

Cedric's patience was wearing thin. "What is it?"

"I need to tellyou something." Natalie hesitated, glancing at Ryan beside her.

Ryan crossed his arms, making it clear he had no plans to leave.

Natalie bit her bottom lip. "I just wanted to clear up a misunderstanding. The things said in that group chat about Linden and I-"

"What group chat?" Cedric cut her off, turning to Ryan.′′|smy wife in it?"

Natalie's face darkened, and she was on the verge of tears. Was Daniela the only person Cedric truly cared about?

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, she is. Do you want me to add you?"

"No!" Natalie blurted out, panic creeping into her voice. "That's not what I meant. It's just a silly group chat.If you're not in it, don't worry about it.."

"I'm in," Cedric interrupted. "So, what's being discussed?"

Immediately Cedric entered the chat, he could sense the hostility.

Ryan skimmed through the messages before reading one aloud. "That slut, pretending to be aloof, still has the nerve to seduce Ms. Hárper's man. She should take a good look in the mirror. She's only fit for Linden. In my opinion, Ms. Harper shouldn't tolerate having her around."

As he passed by Natalie, Cedric asked Ryan indifferently, "Who's supposed to be seducing me?"

Ryan quickly caught up to Cedric. "They're saying Ms. Harper's man. So, are you her man?"

Cedric nodded without hesitation. "Of course. I'm her only man."

Ryan nodded in agreement. "That's true."

Natalie stood there, watching as Cedric walked away.

When Ryan confirmed Cedric's words, Cedric let out a chuckle. He was completely uninterested in anything that didn't involve Daniela.

Natalie clenched her fists, her eyes reddening as a wave of frustration washed over her.

She could have let it go like she always did in the past. However, she bit her lip and rushed after him today.

"Cedric, just give me five minutes. Let me explain."

Cedric stopped and turned to Natalie, his gaze cold. "Explain? To me? About what?"

His three questions showed his confusion, but his expression remained equally indifferent.

"The chat... People are just making things up. I'm not like that. Cedric finally comprehended. "Oh, you are the person they're talking about in the group chat."

Natalie nodded, her eyes teary. "But it's all a misunderstanding."

Before she could say more, Ryan pulled up the photos Nina had posted earlier in the chat. "How is this a misunderstanding? I heard you two held that pose for half an hour."

Natalie's eyes welled with tears as she stared at the photo, showing Linden's hand creeping up her shirt,settling on her chest.

Tears rolled down Natalie's face.

Cedric pushed the office door open and stepped inside, Ryan trailing after him.

Natalie stood frozen, the humiliation settling deep in her bones.

Natalie turned on her heels and went straight to find Nina.

The sharp crack echoed as a hot slap landed across Nina's face.

Nina laughed loudly, her laughter so intense that it made her whole body tremble.

Elyse's expression darkened, her voice shaking with fury. "Nina! Do you even still call yourself part of the Dury family? Your own sister was humiliated, and you stood there snapping photos? Have you completely lost your humanity? You heartless fool!"

Elyse's voice trembled with rage as she spoke, her anger unmistakably genuine.

Nina looked at Natalie's tear-streaked face and Elyse's furious outburst, suddenly realizing a harsh truth.

Unless the pain was felt firsthand, it was nearly impossible to understand.

"Mom, when you sent me to sleep with Linden on Natalie's behalf,did you ever show me any concern?"

Elyse's slap obliterated Nina's final shred of hope.

Nina tasted the blood on her lip and curled her lip into a sneer." "Now Natalie can comprehend what the pain l've endured feels like."

Elyse couldn't shake the feeling that Nina had completely lost her mind.

She burst into Daniela's office, her voice sharp. "Daniela, if you still consider me your aunt, you'll fire Nina from Elite Lux. If not, I'll take Natalie with me. You can only choose one."