Chapter 709
Marguerite genuinely couldn't figure out what on earth she and Daphne had to talk about. They had only met
three times, hardly enough to becchummy to the point of chatting about everything under the sun. Yet,
because Daphne held Maurice's vasectomy report, and Marguerite was a whisper away from the truth, she found
herself reluctantly joining Daphne in the car.
The car zoomed off, quickly leaving the city's hustle and bustle behind, and stopped at a deserted lakeside that
seemed miles from anywhere.
Daphne, clutching a manila folder, stepped out of the car. It was then that Marguerite noticed the stilettos
Daphne was wearing today - at least four inches tall. Already towering, these heels made Daphne appear as an
imposing mountain standing before Marguerite.
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Her presence was indeed commanding, but Marguerite was far from intimidated.
"Can | have what | cfor?" Marguerite asked, extending her hand.
Looking down from her lofty height, Daphne crossed her arms, the manila folder lazily pinched between her
fingers.
"How about a deal?"
"What kind of deal?"
"I give you the report, and you convince Frederick to drop the wafer tech project."
"Do you honestly think | have that kind of pull?"
Daphne smirked knowingly and pulled out a windproof lighter from her coat pocket, flicking it on. The flame
danced at the corner of the folder, threatening to consit.
"I don't know about your influence, but I can easily turn this into ashes," she said, tilting her chin up defiantly.
Marguerite's gaze flickered. She noticed the lake's surface, frozen solid, howling with the cold wind. Yet, the
flfrom Daphne's lighter remained unflinching, brightly illuminating Marguerite's determined eyes.
"Think carefully before you answer, Marguerite."
It took a moment for Marguerite to collect herself, to not let Daphne's threat rattle her.
She steadied her voice, showing no fear, "You could burn it, sure. But if you're trying to forceand Maurice
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏminto playing happy families with a child that's not his, be my guest."
Marguerite's retort hit a nerve, clearly unsettling Daphne and challenging her pride.
A crack of vulnerability flashed in Daphne's eyes, quickly replaced by a mocking, yet somber smile. "You're
clever, I'll give you that. Finding someone's weakness so quickly."
She snuffed out the lighter, reluctantly tossing the folder to Marguerite, who caught it with ease.
Meanwhile, Daphne's gaze hardened, issuing a silent challenge, "What else do you have, Marguerite, besides
your petty smarts? What makes you so special that the Winston brothers would go to war over you? You don't
fuss over your looks, blend into a crowd unnoticed. Beauty-wise, how can you even compare to me? A country
bumpkin with no diploma, a corporate drone with nothing to show for after three years, hiding behind that plain
Jane facade. Yet, you've got Frederick wrapped around your finger. Not just him, Maurice is willing to leaveto
be with you. What's your secret? What do you have that | don't?"