âNo, I was just teasing.
Donât take it too seriously.
â Lucinda offered a faint smile and continued, âMiss Diaz, you outshine my sister in family background, looks, educational history, and character.
Itâs unfair to even compare her to you.
â
Nalaâs expression softened, and she inquired with curiosity, âIt appears thereâs quite a story between you and your sister.
If you donât mind my asking, how is she doing these days?â
âSheâs gone.
There are no ashes, no graveyard.
My brother bought a small box and placed her photo in a storage facility.
All the unclaimed ashes end up there.
Nobody will remember or care about her.
Even if she made it to heaven, sheâd be all alone.
â
The color drained from Nalaâs face.
âThatâs heart-wrenching.
â
With a dry laugh, Lucinda responded, âSheâs far from a victim.
She nearly crushed the Simmons family.
She got what she deserved.
â
Nala pondered on this, but before she could delve deeper, Danilo approached.
Upon seeing him, her eyes brimmed with tears.
She stood up quickly and leaned into his embrace, âHoney, it took you forever.
I missed you terribly.
â
âItâs entirely on me.
I shouldnât have left you behind.
â
Danilo ki*sed her passionately as if they were the only two in the world, Only after they had shared several ki*ses did he finally become aware of Lucindaâs presence.
âAh, Miss Simmons, I see youâre here too.
â
Lucinda acknowledged him with a courteous nod.
Nala teasingly tugged on his golden beard.
Unfazed, he turned his attention to Lucinda.
âMiss Simmons
, Iâm keen on the DoWeier Groupâs project.
Would you consider relinquishing it to me? I can offer you different partnership options as a form of compensation.
â
Danilo didnât waste any time and immediately broached the subject of the DoWeier Group project with Lucinda, his gaze sharp and focused.
He emitted a subtle but unmistakably unfriendly vibe.
Lucinda curled her lip in disdain.
Just as she was about to make a sarcastic comment, a familiar deep voice intervened.
âHow dare you interfere with my wifeâs project! Danilo, donât you think youâre overestimating your importance?â
Hearing the voice, Lucinda glanced over.
Nathan approached, his hands full of shopping bags, his gaze icy as he directed it towards Danilo.
With Nathanâs arm encircling her, Lucinda offered a knowing smile.
She then stepped aside, allowing Nathan to take the lead.
âMr.
Payne, the Simmons Group securing the DoWeier Group project cooperation seems to rely on your long-standing friendship with Ellsworth.
Isnât this sort of behind-the-scenes maneuver unfair to companies like us who genuinely put effort into our business proposals?â
Nathan shot a chilly and displeased look at Danilo.
âIf you have any issues with the bidding outcome, take it up with Ellsworth.
Why involve my wife in this?â
Did Danilo find the Simmons and Payne families, the wealthiest families in Cadiered, easy to deal with?
Danilo grinned, saying, âWell, Iâm here to discuss with Miss Simmons.