Chapter 446

The voice on the other end of the call let out a low chuckle.

Natalie frowned at the sound. "What's so funny?"

Russell's tone was light, almost amused. "Oh, nothing.But I should probably tell you-Cedric's price is significantly higher than Daniela's. A hundred billion,non-negotiable."

Natalie almost choked on air,her mind struggling to process the number. "Wait! What?"

Russell scratched his ear. "Relax with the shouting.will you? It's a hundred billion."

"Do you even realize that Daniela is the richest person on the planet? And she's only worth a billion. So tell me-why is Cedric priced at a hundred billion?"

By her estimation, based on Daniela's valuation,Cedric's worth shouldn't have been more than ten million.

Russell chuckled again, his tone teasing. "Oh? You really want to know why? Our boss is a woman, and Cedric? Well, he's ridiculously good-looking. To her,he's priceless." Natalie blinked at his answer, then clicked her tongue in mild disbelief.

Cedric had that much appeal?

Even Cealmaur's leader was after him?

She arched a brow. "Wait, you're telling me your boss is actually a woman?"

"Obviously. What,do you have a problem with women in power? Aren't you a woman yourself? Anyway, do you have the money or not? Quit wasting my time with loose change."

Natalie was momentarily speechless.

Loose change?

She had offered a billion. How was that considered nothing?

"Then forget Cedric. Just take care of Daniela instead."

Russell's enthusiasm from earlier vanished, replaced by an indifferent tone. "When will the money be ready?"

Natalie hesitated before answering, "A few days.I need to sell a villafirst,so you'll have to wait."

Russell let out a dry chuckle, the mockery in his voice nearly tangible. "You're actually struggling to put together a billion? Call me when you have it.Bye."

The line went dead, and all that remained was the empty dial tone.

Natalie sat in stunned silence, processing what had just happened.

Were people really that rich nowadays?

For the first time, she genuinely wondered if she was just too poor.

Just as her call ended, Daniela's phone rang. "Daniela.Natalie has her sights on Cedric."

Daniela's expression darkened. Her voice turned ice-gold. "She's asking for death."

Russell let out a quiet chuckle. "Not that it matters.She couldn't afford the price, so she backed off."

Daniela wasn't convinced. "She'll find another way.Have Shadow protect Cedric."

After a brief pause, she added with finality, "Starting today."

Russell clicked his tongue. "Daniela, don't you think that's overkill? All this trouble just for Natalie? You really want to send our second-ranked assassin to guard him?"

The first,of course, was Daniela.

"It's necessary."

Russell didn't question it. "Got it!" He turned and called for Shadow without hesitation. Lillian stood beside Daniela,her gaze drifting to Cedric in the distance.He was clearly irritated, barking orders as he arranged security. She couldn't help but comment, "Daniela, are you sure this isn't overkill?Shadow hasn't been assigned to protection duty in years,and Natalie's hardly a real threat."

Daniela's eyes lingered on Cedric, her expression softening, her voice quieter. "You don't understand."

She had hurt him deeply once before. To her, he was beyond value.

As long as she was alive, she wouldn't let anything happen to him.

Lillian tilted her head. "Aren't you going to step in? At this rate, Cedric looks like he's about to set up his own little registration desk for visitors."

Daniela chuckled. "He really isadorable."

Lillian blinked, momentarily thrown off. Did love make people see the world this differently?

In the end, Cedric did exactly what Lillianhad predicted-he dragged a desk to the elevator and stationed himself there. Daniela, unfazed,pulled up a chair and joined him, soaking up the sun at his side.

Cedric was clearly unimpressed, but Daniela made an effort to smooth things over.

No matter how hard he tried to stay irritated,he rouldn't resist her tenderness. When she handed hin an apple, his resolve wavered.

Daniela propped her chin on her hand, watching him with a quiet smile. Cedric bit into the apple with more force than necessary, muttering. "Don't think I'm letting you off the hook just because you're being nice. You let yourself get hurt. I could've protected you.Why won't you trust me?"

Daniela leaned in and pressed a light kiss to his lips.

Cedric went completely still, stunned into silence.

Lillian folded her arms, shaking her head with an éxaggerated sigh.

Cedric was completely under Daniela's spell.

Natalie stood off to the side, watching as Cedric's ears burned red from Daniela's playful teasing.

Her brows knit together before she scoffed and turned on her heel.

Her thoughts darkened. "Daniela, let's see how long you can keep that smile."

Natalie stormed into Elyse's room, her patience worn thin. "Mom, I'm starting a company, and I need to move some funds. I want to mortgage this villa."

Elyse,busy going over plans for her dream retirement home,barely looked up. Without a second thought,she passed the property deed to Natalie.

Natalie slid a document across the table, flipping to the last page. "Sign here."

Elyse signed without hesitation.

That evening, Natalie wasted no time-she put the villa up for sale.

Meanwhile, Daniela sat with a tablet in hand, her expression unreadable as she stared at the listing. The villa had once been a generous gift from her mother to Elyse.Now, it was being sold off like a meaningless asset. Her gaze turned cold.

Natalie hadn't expected interest in the villa to come so quickly. Just one night after listing, she received an inquiry.

The agent said it was an unknown wealthy buyer,ready to transfer the money the same day.

Natalie wanted to raise the price, but the buyer wouldn't budge. "One billion, not a penny more."

From the corner of her eye, Natalie caught a glimpse of Daniela and Cedric, their intimate exchange twisting something sharp in her gut. She clenched her teeth."Deal."

The transaction was completed before midnight.

As soon as the money hit her account, Natalie turned to the agent. "Who's the buyer?"

Plenty of people had wealth, but not many could pull together a billion in liquid cash overnight. The agent simply smiled. "A private buyer. Their identity is confidential."

Natalie didn't press further. She wired the full amount to Cealmaur's overseas account.

"I've given up everything. Now, do as I say-kill Daniela."