Chapter 5 I Don't Want His Damned Money

The rumors online were spreading rapidly, each update adding more fuel to the fire. It seemed as if unseen hands were stoking the gossip, making it burn even brighter.

"No wonder people say being a stepmother is a challenge. And even her biological daughter doesn't have it easy either. Daniela must be the mastermind behind the fire incident, trying to take Joyce out!"

"Exactly! Did you hear that Daniela is indulging in some fancy private hospital room that costs six grand a night? Her father and stepmother are at her beck and call, and her husband's there, peeling fruit for her like she's some queen. Meanwhile, poor Joyce is crammed into a room with five others, struggling even to get water!"

"No doubt about it-Daniela must have everything handed to her on a silver platter!"

"That's right. Daniela got out of the hospital already, but Joyce is still laid up there. I heard Joyce ended up with a broken rib and a scar on her face."

"Poor Joyce! Daniela's absolutely despicable! Just because she's the biological daughter, does she deserve royal treatment?"

Amidst the swirling vortex of distorted rumors, one comment in the online chaos stood out, shedding a different light on the situation. "I'm sharing a ward with five others at Northpoint Hospital, and Daniela was here with us. Honestly, she's a genuinely nice person-beautiful, kind, and nothing like the spoiled heiress everyone makes her out to be. It's her husband who's the real piece of work!"

This comment was soon engulfed by a wave of dismissive responses, with critics sneeringly accusing Daniela of paying people to spread falsehoods.

The netizens jeered, dismissing the accusation as absurd.

Lillian, too, caught sight of the comment and huffed derisively, "Ridiculous! Daniela is a celebrated fashion titan, the visionary behind Elite Lux. If she hadn't thrown her future away on that scoundrel, she'd top the list of the world's wealthiest. What right do these nobodies have to judge?"

Meanwhile, Daniela remained unfazed by the online uproar, finding Lillian's indignant expression somewhat amusing.

"Are you seriously laughing, Daniela? You're going to let these keyboard warriors hired by Joyce defame you?"

Daniela held up her phone, the recording on full display, and smirked. "Definitely not."

Lillian's eyes popped wide open in surprise. "What?"

Placing her phone back into her pocket, Daniela declared nonchalantly, "I've decided-it's time to file for a divorce."

She spoke with a chilling calmness, her voice devoid of any trace of emotion.

Lillian's mouth fell open in shock.

With a playful grin, Daniela nudged Lillian's chin up. "Have the legal department prepare a divorce agreement for me."

A gleam of excitement flashed across Lillian's face. "Are you for real? You're not joking, right?"

Daniela merely raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable.

Lillian nearly leaped from her chair, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You've actually come to your senses? I was starting to think you'd let that piece of trash ruin you forever."

Lillian put her hand over her heart in an exaggerated gesture, which elicited a burst of laughter from Daniela.

"Was I really that hopeless before?"

Lillian's expression turned earnest as she nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. You were lost."

Daniela let out a chuckle, reflecting on her past.

Indeed, she had been consumed by love for Alexander for ten long years, an entire decade lost in hopeless yearning.

For his slightest attention, she had repeatedly humbled herself, longing for even a sliver of his affection.

Moved by Daniela's newfound realization, Lillian wiped away a tear and reached out to the company's legal team.

The lawyer, sleeves rolled up and ready for action, inquired seriously, "What compensation do you seek from Alexander?"

With a composed, icy gaze, Daniela replied firmly, "I don't want his damned money!"

"Exactly!" Lillian affirmed with a nod.

Daniela had faced the world on her own terms since she lost her mother at the tender age of five. Over the years, she crafted a successful brand that catapulted her into a billionaire status long before she reached adulthood. The thought of needing anything from Alexander was almost comical to her.

Those who scorned Daniela were foolish, thinking she was cut from the same weak cloth as Joyce-a woman with no ambition, content to cling to her family and wait for marrying into a rich family.

How utterly ridiculous!

After departing from the hospital, Daniela promptly reached out to Alexander, her determination unshaken.

The phone rang several times before his secretary picked up with a sniff.

"Daniela? What is it this time?" the secretary asked, his voice dripping with condescension. He was well aware of Alexander's disregard for Daniela and didn't bother to mask his own contempt.

"I need to speak with Alexander," Daniela replied, her voice steady and accustomed to the dismissive attitudes of those employed by Bennett Group.

The secretary cast a glance towards Alexander, who was currently engaged in a close conversation with Joyce.

Joyce seemed to be almost attached to Alexander, her body leaning into his.

"Mr. Bennett is currently in a meeting," the secretary lied smoothly.

Without missing a beat, Daniela responded, "Tell him to meet me at the courthouse at eight tomorrow morning. We're finalizing the divorce."