Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 526

On the second floor of a quiet, empty coffee shop, Easton sat in the corner, a dark expression on his face as he waited for Natalia.

Natalia arrived alone—though not entirely. Her bodyguards were waiting discreetly at the top of the stairs.

"Well, Natalia. I never thought you could be so vicious," Easton said, his voice laced with the hurt and disbelief of a man just learning he'd been betrayed.

Natalia just smiled, showing no trace of guilt, only the pure joy of success. "I'm so sorry, Easton, but I had no choice. You know how it is—it's a dog-eat-dog world. You're still young. You have a lot to learn."

Easton said nothing, his hands clenched into tight fists as if he were trying to contain his rage.

"Did you think you could use Lena to set me up, to infect me with some disease, and I'd just do whatever you say? Dream on," Easton finally spat out, his voice a low growl.

Natalia calmly opened a file folder and laid a set of transfer agreements in front of him. "Easton, don't be so emotional. You're young. Even if you've contracted something like this, you can still live a long life as long as you get treatment and take your medication."

With a roar of fury, Easton slammed his hands on the table, sweeping the coffee cups to the floor.

Natalia's bodyguards rushed in, but she just smiled and waved them off.

"Tell me, Natalia," Easton hissed, gripping a shard of broken ceramic. "If I decided to end you right now, do you think your bodyguards could stop me?"

"Easton, your life is just beginning. Is it really worth it to take me down with you?" Natalia was confident he wouldn't do it.

"Besides, choosing Lena, doing what you did with her... that was your decision. I didn't force you. You're young, full of passion, and couldn't resist temptation. You can't blame me for that. I'm just using it as leverage to negotiate," Natalia said, tapping the contracts. "Sign these, and you'll still be the respected son-in-law of the Edwards family. Even without Lynch Corporation, you'll have a bright future, won't you?"

Easton's face was dark with rage. He was young, and even though he had anticipated her scheme and avoided the trap, the sheer audacity of her plan made the hot-blooded young man tremble with anger.

The ugliness of human nature was on full display in Natalia.

"Sign the agreements, transfer the shares to me, and I promise no one will ever hear about this," Natalia offered with another smile.

She felt an immense sense of pride. Something her father had schemed for his entire life, she had obtained with ease.

After savoring the moment, Natalia stood up and called her contact.

"Sir, the agreements are signed. Lynch Corporation is holding a senior management meeting this afternoon. I will officially become the person in charge," she reported, her voice full of triumph.

"Stay alert. Don't get carried away," the man's deep voice warned.

But Natalia was already lost in her sense of accomplishment.

"I'll send one of my men to the management meeting. Give him the position of CEO," the man continued.

Natalia's expression instantly soured. "Sir!" she protested, unwilling to accept it. "I'm the one who took down Lynch Corporation. After all my hard work... Don't you trust my abilities? Why are you making me hand over the CEO position?"