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Mutual Suspicion

 That’s right—

Dahlia!

She was now the adopted daughter of Prince Montgomary, deeply favored by him, and held control over nearly half of the Montgomary Royal Manor’s financial authority. Her influence within both the business world and the circle of elites was growing by the day.

With the power and resources of the Montgomary Royal Manor, suppressing Natasha’s Chenfei Group would hardly be difficult if they truly intended to do so.

But what about the motive?

Natasha’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing through them.

Just yesterday at Haidilao, she had openly and unmistakably flaunted her affection—
And Dahlia had been thoroughly provoked.

Given Dahlia’s proud and aloof temperament, she might not show it on the surface.
But harboring resentment in secret, then using business tactics to retaliate—to crush Natasha and leave her in an embarrassing position—was far from impossible.

In fact, this might not be mere revenge.
There could be something more behind it.

“Dahlia… Dahlia,”
Natasha murmured to herself, her fingers tapping unconsciously against the desk, her gaze sharp as a blade.
“Both love and business depend on one’s own abilities. If you can’t win back Dustin’s heart, you resort to such despicable methods? Trying to force me to retreat? Or just hoping to see me humiliated?”

She let out a cold laugh, a fierce, unyielding fighting spirit surging within her.
“Fine! If you want to play, I’ll see it through to the end! Let’s see whether the Montgomary Royal Manor has deeper pockets—
Or whether my Natasha Harmon has tougher methods!”

Without hesitation, she picked up the phone on her desk and dialed a number.

After a few rings, the call connected. A steady middle-aged man’s voice came through:

“Xuanfei? Why are you calling so early? Did something happen?”

The man was Chen Guofei, Natasha’s second uncle—one of the Chen family’s current pillars, a man with immense influence in both the business world and certain special sectors.

“Second Uncle…”

Natasha skipped all pleasantries and got straight to the point, her tone grave.
“The Chenfei Group is being targeted. Overnight, multiple core clients and suppliers were pried away. The losses are severe. I suspect Dahlia of the Montgomary Royal Manor is behind this.”

“The Montgomary Royal Manor? Dahlia?”
Chen Guofei’s voice turned serious.
“Are you sure?”

“There’s no direct evidence yet, but aside from them, I can’t think of anyone with both the motive and this level of influence.”

Natasha quickly explained the situation, including her clash with Dahlia the day before.
“Second Uncle, I need the family’s help. I didn’t want to alarm Grandpa, but at this point, I have no choice.”

“Don’t worry,” Chen Guofei replied decisively.
“I’ll support you. The Chen family may not be as powerful as the Montgomary Royal Manor, but we’re not some soft target either. If it really comes to a head, we might not lose.”

“Funds and connections—I’ll coordinate immediately. I’ll also inform the old master and have him apply pressure on the Montgomary Royal Manor. For now, you just need to hold the line, verify the truth, and be ready to counterattack at any moment!”

Hearing her second uncle’s firm backing, Natasha felt her heart steady.
The pressure and gloom of the past days seemed to lift slightly.

“Thank you, Second Uncle. I know what to do.”

After hanging up, Natasha straightened in her chair.
The fatigue in her eyes was replaced by sharp focus and fighting resolve.

She pressed the internal call button.
“Xiao Wu, notify all department heads—emergency meeting in thirty minutes. Also, compile all intelligence we have on the Montgomary Royal Manor’s business holdings, especially areas where they compete with us or show weaknesses. I want everything on my desk.”

“Yes, President Harmon!”

A battle without gunfire—yet no less brutal—
A commercial war, had officially begun with the break of dawn.


At the same time, inside a luxurious villa.

Zhang Cuihua was happily eating breakfast, a tablet propped up on the table in front of her, playing the hottest short drama of the moment:

The Domineering CEO Falls in Love with Me—A Divorced, Child-Raising, Menopause-Stricken Woman.

Ridiculously melodramatic.
Utterly brainless.
Yet Zhang Cuihua watched with great enthusiasm, barely even blinking as she ate.

At that moment, Dahlia, dressed in sleepwear, slowly walked down from the second floor.

“Dahlia, come quickly! This short drama is really fun—once you start watching, you can’t stop!”

Seeing her daughter come downstairs, Zhang Cuihua waved eagerly, gesturing for her to sit beside her.

“They’re all over-the-top nonsense. What’s there to watch?”
Dahlia sat down, picked up the stomach-nourishing porridge on the table, and sipped it slowly.

She hadn’t slept well the previous night.
Her mind had been filled with that familiar figure.

She had once thought that with time, she would gradually forget him.

But after last night’s unexpected encounter, she finally understood—
That was nothing more than self-deception.

She couldn’t forget him. At all.

Beep, beep, beep…

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Dahlia answered—and immediately frowned.

After a moment of silence, she nodded slightly.
“Alright, I understand. Don’t act rashly for now. Wait until I’ve investigated and I’ll get back to you.”

“What happened?” Zhang Cuihua asked casually, her eyes still glued to the drama.

“There’s a minor issue at the company. I need to deal with it.”
Dahlia didn’t elaborate. After a brief explanation, she went back upstairs to change.

The call had been from her secretary.
Natasha’s Chenfei Group was applying pressure on her company—and the Chen family seemed to be involved as well.

Though she and Natasha had never gotten along, they had always kept to their own lanes, never interfering with each other.

Now that Natasha had suddenly made a move, Dahlia couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Was it jealousy over Dustin?

But given Natasha’s character, she wouldn’t go this far without reason.

She would have to investigate this thoroughly.

– Marinien

Comments

Anonymous said…
So...Dahlia knew nothing about Natacha's company attack all along...The question now is...Who is responsible for the attack...😎😎😎
Anonymous said…
the 3 princes
Anonymous said…
thanks for the update, Admin Marinien
Anonymous said…
Here comes Zang Cuihua (Florence) the long awaited moments comes to scene, what a surprise hahaha.

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