Reborn From Oblivion

Ashley couldn't quite catch their subtle hints of refusal. With tears brimming in her eyes, she pleaded, "You're the people I hold closest. I've always been there for you, no questions asked, whenever you faced trouble. Now that I'm in a bind, you're just full of excuses. It's really disappointing."

Benjamin was the first to relent. "Ashley, it's not like we don't want to help you. What you don't know is that Nathalie was here before you. She brought along two big shots from Maple Company and threatened us to stay out of it or else she'd ruin us."

Ashley blinked, her eyes wide with disbelief. "She's all talk, no action. Don't let her

bluff you."

Benjamin explained, "It's not just empty threats. She even brought Dominick Ford, one half of the notorious duo from Maple Company, and they're fiercely loyal to her. We're not scared of Nathalie, but that duo? They're a different story. Remember when Cameron's Dawson International got taken over by them? They're still struggling to bounce back."

Ashley found herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. If she kept pleading, she'd come off as pushy. But if she let it go, the Stewart family would lose their biggest ally.

"Are you really going to just sit back and watch us get trounced by them?" she asked.

"Not exactly," Benjamin replied. "The Stewart family and our three families have always been in this together. We're not about to just watch you go under. Let us figure out how we can support you without drawing Nathalie's ire."

Benjamin's evasive words left Ashley feeling lost at sea. She let out a heavy sigh.

Back at the Stewart Estate, Ashley ran into Nathalie, lounging in a chair with a small dog in her lap. Nathalie looked at Ashley with a curious sparkle in her eyes.

"I didn't think you'd stoop so low," Ashley accused, marching up to Nathalie, her anger palpable.

Nathalie laughed, clearly pleased with having rattled Cameron and the others.

"Low tactics for low people," Nathalie said "Don't forget, the Stewart family business rightfully belongs to our side. Years ago, Grandpa favored my dad and had decided privately that he'd be the heir to Stewart Enterprises. You know why he missed the succession meeting after that car accident."

Ashley's face turned ghostly pale.

Nathalie closed her eyes, settling back comfortably. "I hold grudges, Ashley. Everything that's been taken from me, I plan to reclaim one day."

Ashley turned even paler and stormed off in a huff.

Nathalie stood up, packed up her chair, and went home, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.noveldrama

Lincoln watched his daughter's smug demeanor, barely able to suppress his amusement. "Vivian, I've looked into the heirs of the top families. Benjamin might be easy to sway, but Cameron's a tougher nut to crack. He might not be genuinely intimidated by today's antics."

Nathalie replied, "Dad, didn't you see Ashley's face? She was livid. That means Cameron and the others haven't fully committed to backing her. This means, for the next few days, they'll be on their own. We need to strike while the iron's hot."

Lincoln was taken aback, clearly impressed.

"Hahaha." He regarded Nathalie with newfound respect. "Brilliant move."