Chapter 439: The Outcome is Decided, Can Only Seek More Benefits
"Daniel, eavesdropping on other people's conversations isn't exactly good manners."
Emily turned around, trying her best to sound calm.
Talk about turning the tables!
Besides, as long as she wasn't embarrassed, someone else would be.
Daniel didn't blame Emily for her timidity.
He even cooperated by admitting fault, "You're right, my mistake. I should have listened openly."
Emily was completely speechless.
She glared at Daniel.
But it looked more like playful pouting.
Byron and Sophia were excited inside but didn't dare make a sound.
They couldn't help feeling that these two were already acting as ambiguously as a real couple—they might as well just get together already.
Compared to the warm and sweet atmosphere here, things weren't going so well for Zoey.
She barely managed to get through the engagement ceremony before storming off to the backstage area.
As she left, Nathaniel, being her "fiancé," naturally had to follow.
When Zoey saw Nathaniel, she thought of that idiot Veda—didn't she say she'd gotten rid of him? How did he show up again?
Completely useless, more trouble than she's worth.
If Nathaniel hadn't appeared, wouldn't Daniel have had no choice but to step in for this engagement?
At this thought, Zoey's hatred for Veda intensified.
Of course, she hated Nathaniel just as much.
She raised her hand and slapped Nathaniel across the face. "So that's why you were so eager to go shopping with me for engagement rings—you had this planned all along. Don't think that just because this engagement party is over, your scheme has succeeded. In our circle, engagements can be broken off, and even if we get married, I can still do whatever I want on the side.
Besides, do you really think Daniel was trying to set us up? He's just mad at me because of some misunderstanding. We grew up together—one day he'll still end up with me."
Even at this point, Zoey was still spouting self-deluded nonsense.
She thought this would provoke Nathaniel's anger and make him go after Daniel.
After all, she figured that Nathaniel, being manipulated into becoming her fiancé, must be ambitious and surely resentful.
Nathaniel ran his tongue over the side of his face that had been slapped, then smiled gently. "Ms. King, this marriage alliance is between our two families. At least for now, we're tied together, and our interests are aligned. I'll take this slap as compensation for your anger, but there won't be a next time. Otherwise, if word gets out, it could affect both families' stock prices."
"Bastard, how dare you threaten me!"
Zoey was already angry, and now her rage reached its peak. She lunged forward to hit him.
Though they were already backstage, if they made too much noise, it would inevitably attract attention from interested parties.
After all, today's reversal had truly caught everyone off guard, and plenty of people were watching for any developments.
So when Zoey went crazy and tried to attack him, Griffin's people immediately held her back.
"Zoey, what's done is done. Why are you still making a scene at a time like this?" Griffin scolded with a face full of anger.
Zoey had held it together on stage earlier for the sake of appearances.
But now, seeing Griffin, her grievances welled up.
Her eyes reddened with unwillingness. "But Grandpa, I'm hurt, I'm not willing to accept this. We agreed it would be an engagement with Daniel—why did it turn into Nathaniel? Don't Daniel and Mason owe us some explanation and compensation?"
Her voice was choked with emotion.
Griffin's gaze fell on Nathaniel's face.
The marks from the five fingers were still visible on his face, but Nathaniel showed no signs of anger or displeasure, even nodding politely to Griffin.
Although Griffin was very unhappy about the Smith family's substitution, seeing that Nathaniel could bend, stretch, and endure—that alone suggested this person's abilities probably weren't too bad.
Though he couldn't compare to Daniel, he could still be considered talented.
His dissatisfaction decreased slightly as he said sternly, "You, and Nathaniel, right? Follow me to the lounge now."
No matter what, after being deceived, they still needed to calculate what compensation and benefits were owed.
Nathaniel had anticipated this and obediently followed them.
Mason was already waiting in the lounge.
However, Daniel wasn't there, which Griffin wasn't happy about.
"Mason, no matter how you look at it, Daniel didn't handle this properly. For the upcoming discussion, he should be present, shouldn't he?"
Griffin's forceful tone made it clear he wasn't asking Mason for permission.
Mason knew he needed to provide an explanation and nodded. "Naturally. I've already sent someone to get Daniel."
The room fell into brief silence.
Zoey didn't speak, her whole body slumped dejectedly.
Her phone rang.
Raina had sent a message asking about her situation.
Zoey desperately needed an outlet and couldn't help venting: [I knew Daniel was capable before, but now I see he's really something—I've been played. What, are you here to laugh at me and mock me?]
Raina knew Zoey was in a bad mood and didn't take offense at her tone.
Raina: [What's done is done. Going forward, try to get as many benefits as possible, and see how your grandfather and Daniel explain this. As for what to do next, I'll ask Mr. Stevens.]
Originally, she had someone prepare a gift on behalf of the Stevens family, but because of the sudden turn of events, she had taken it upon herself to keep the gift.
Zoey thought about Axel's warning and her heart sank deeper.
If Axel found out she'd messed up this engagement with the Smith family, she didn't know what he might do. Just thinking about him possibly withdrawing some resources made her worried.
Now, with a sense of crisis, Zoey finally became somewhat rational.
She said gravely: [No rush with Mr. Stevens. Even though I didn't successfully get engaged to Daniel, I've still connected with the Smith family. I'll figure out the next steps... Right, doesn't Daniel care about Emily? Let's proceed with the plan—we'll see what benefits we can get from it.]
Raina could guess some of Zoey's thinking and didn't object.
Raina: [I've already arranged that. Proceed with the plan shortly.]
Seeing this message and thinking about the painful consequences Emily would soon face, Zoey's mood improved slightly.
Just then, a message from Veda came in.
Veda: [Zoey, are you okay? Don't worry, in my heart, I only recognize you as Daniel's wife. I won't accept anyone else, and Emily can forget about it. She'll definitely get what's coming to her. That Nathaniel isn't worthy of you at all—just wait, I can take care of him with a snap of my fingers.]
Zoey's slightly improved mood soured again because of Veda's words.
Her fingers flew across her phone screen like shadows, as if venting all her anger into the message: [You have the nerve to say that! If it weren't for you, I would definitely be engaged to Daniel today. Didn't you say you'd gotten rid of Nathaniel? And what happened? He showed up and ruined my engagement. And you're still talking big about snapping your fingers? Don't forget, your hand only got better because of me.]