Chapter 23:Vanderbilt Industries of the Capital?

Charlotte Xiao's willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed as she lifted her gaze to Daniel. "Even if you see President Vanderbilt, she can't give you more. Don't be insatiably greedy!"

Daniel knew Charlotte's prejudice against him ran deep—it wasn't something that could be changed overnight. So he didn't press the issue.

He simply repeated, "If I don't see Elena Vanderbilt, I won't sign the divorce papers."

"You really think she hasn't given you enough?" Charlotte found it laughable. "Daniel, search your conscience. Do you honestly believe that as the second son of the Lockwood family in Jiang City, you're worthy of President Vanderbilt?"

"Do you have any idea how much pressure she endured just by marrying beneath her station?"

"I hope you face reality and stop harassing her. Otherwise, the consequences will be beyond what you can bear!"

Daniel fell silent.

He had long suspected that Elena's background was far more complicated than it appeared. A woman who could casually hand over billions in assets to him—how could she be ordinary?

The forces pressuring her behind the scenes were likely unimaginably powerful.

With a slow exhale, Daniel finally said, "You're right. As I am now, I'm not worthy of Elena. But mark my words—one day, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with her."

Charlotte scoffed. "Daniel, your ignorance truly knows no bounds!"

Daniel didn't argue.

He cast one last glance at Charlotte, realizing she wouldn't help him reach Elena anytime soon. Then, without another word, he turned and left the office.

Once outside, his gaze hardened with resolve.

If fate had granted him a second chance at life, then this time—he would become strong enough to claim it.

Meanwhile, in the Capital's downtown district...

A towering skyscraper gleamed under the sunlight, its facade adorned with a crimson浮雕 bearing the bold, calligraphic characters: "Vanderbilt."

This was the headquarters of Vanderbilt Industries—one of the top ten wealthiest conglomerates in the nation.

On the 36th floor, inside the CEO's office...

Elena sat behind her desk, her left arm bandaged, staring blankly at her phone.

Then—a vibration.

She snatched it up instantly.

A message from Wu Yan flashed on the screen:

"President Vanderbilt, Daniel has agreed to the divorce."

Those cold, clinical words drained the color from her face.

For an immeasurable moment, she just... stared.

Finally, she slumped back into her chair, exhaustion crashing over her.

So it's really over.

"Daniel... were you really so heartless?"

After a long silence—whether out of disbelief or unwillingness to accept it—she dialed Charlotte's number.

The call connected immediately.

"President Vanderbilt?" Charlotte's voice came through.

Elena hesitated before asking quietly, "Did he... ever try to contact me?"

Charlotte didn't miss a beat.

"President Vanderbilt, Secretary Wu saw Daniel this morning—arm in arm with that Lynn Miao, shopping like a happy couple. When would he have had time to look for you?"

Her voice turned scornful. "Stop being soft on him. Daniel is nothing but a scumbag!"

"To flirt with another woman before even finalizing the divorce? He's utterly heartless! He doesn't deserve an ounce of your concern!"

"...I see."

Elena's reply was ice, her emotions locked away.

But the moment the call ended—

Her lips curled into a smile so fragile, it seemed to shatter the air around her.

It's really over.

Jiang City Central Hospital

Dr. Lin Tong had just finished a surgery when his phone rang.

"What?!"

"Li Dong recovered?!"

"You're saying it was really poisoning, just like Daniel claimed?!"

"That's impossible—you must've heard wrong!"

Two days ago, Li Fujiang had approached him about Daniel's diagnosis—that his son had been poisoned and only Daniel could save him.

Back then, Lin Tong had confidently assured Li Fujiang that Daniel was a fraud who knew nothing about medicine.

Yet now...

The prescription Daniel provided had actually worked.

It felt like a slap across the face—his cheeks burned with humiliation.

But then—

A dark, venomous glint flashed in Lin Tong's eyes.

"Daniel... first you ruined my chance with Elena Vanderbilt, and now you've weaseled your way into Li Fujiang's circle?"

A mirthless laugh escaped him.

"Very good, Daniel. Exceptionally good."

"But do you really think you can steal what's mine so easily?"

At the same time...

Daniel's phone buzzed with an incoming call—Li Fujiang.

"Mr. Lockwood! My son's condition has improved drastically. I can't thank you enough. From now on, if you ever need anything, just say the word—I'll move heaven and earth to make it happen!"

Daniel smiled faintly at the man's exhilarated tone.

"Since you've offered, I won't hold back. There is something I'd like your help with."

"Name it!" Li Fujiang urged.

Daniel's voice turned wry. "It's... somewhat of a family embarrassment. But given the circumstances, I'll just be frank."

"My wife and I had a disagreement. She left, and I'd like your help tracking her down."

In his past life, Daniel had only known Elena's background was formidable—never the specifics.

If Li Fujiang could uncover the truth, he'd at least have a clearer picture.

Li Fujiang chuckled. "I never thought you'd have marital troubles! Don't worry—it happens to the best of us!"

After confirming the exact characters of "Elena Vanderbilt," Li Fujiang promised swift action and hung up.

But the moment the call ended, his secretary hesitated.

"Sir... doesn't that name sound familiar?"

"Elena Vanderbilt—isn't that the CEO of Vanderbilt Industries in the Capital?"

Li Fujiang paused, then shook his head.

"Mr. Lockwood is from Jiang City. There's no way he'd be connected to someone of that stature."

(It wasn't that he looked down on Daniel—but based on his research, the man simply didn't move in those circles.)

"Dig deeper elsewhere," he instructed.

The secretary nodded and left.

Ring—

No sooner had Daniel ended the call than another one came through...

When the caller ID flashed "Lynn Miao", Daniel frowned.

He initially didn't want to answer, but after a moment's hesitation, he decided to hear her out.

"What do you want?" His tone was icy as he picked up.

"Daniel, where are you right now?" Lynn's voice dripped with saccharine sweetness.

"Cut to the chase."

Daniel suppressed a wave of nausea. He couldn't fathom why he'd ever been attracted to a woman like her.

"Why so cold? Didn't you promise to marry me?" She pouted. "I've already told my parents. They want to arrange a meeting between our families to discuss the bride price."

Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Bride price? How much are we talking?"

"Daniel, I love you for you—not money. But since tradition matters... let's just say a modest million will do."

He nearly laughed aloud.

A million? Modest?

Had greed completely rotted her brain?

"Before we discuss numbers," he said dryly, "care to explain why you think I have a million?"

"You divorced that woman, didn't you? Rumor says she left you tens of millions in assets." Lynn giggled. "Surely a paltry million isn't too much to ask?"

Not too much?

"Of course it's not," Daniel agreed smoothly. "But that depends on whether you're worth it. Don't you think?"

Lynn froze. "...What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're not."

He hung up before she could sputter a reply.

On the other end, Lynn stared at her phone in stunned silence.

How dare he?!

Her lips trembled as she turned to Sebastian Lockwood, who'd been observing the call. "Sebastian... Daniel said I'm not worthy of marrying him!"

This call had been Sebastian's idea—a ploy to manipulate Daniel into surrendering Elena's assets through marriage.

But now...

Sebastian's expression darkened.

Daniel was no longer the malleable fool they'd once controlled. With Li Fujiang backing him, brute force wouldn't work.

"If you can't marry him," Sebastian mused, "we can't touch Elena's inheritance..."

A venomous glint entered his eyes. "Unless he dies."

Lynn paled. "You—you're talking about murder?!"

"With the right plan, why not?" Sebastian's smile was serpentine. "Help me, Lynn, and I'll split the fortune with you—half a billion."

Half a billion.

The number seared into Lynn's mind.

She'd known Elena was wealthy, but this extravagant?

For a heartbeat, greed eclipsed fear.

"...How?" she whispered.

Sebastian leaned in. "I'll call Daniel, say you've got leukemia and need a bone marrow match—him being the 'only donor.'"

Lynn bit her lip. "But after today, why would he believe—"

"Leave that to me." Sebastian's grin widened. "Once he's on the operating table, 'accidents' happen. And I've already prepared asset-transfer documents for him to sign beforehand."

The pieces clicked.

Lynn's hesitation crumbled.

"...Alright. I'll do it."

Meanwhile, at the Lockwood Estate

Daniel arrived to find the family waiting like vultures.

Alistair Lockwood cut straight to the chase: "Son, you've heard about Lynn's condition. She's like family—you won't refuse to save her, will you?"

Daniel almost admired the audacity.

Leukemia? When Lynn had been perfectly healthy an hour ago?

But he played along. "I'll do it."

Alistair and Sebastian exchanged triumphant glances—

Until Daniel added:

"On one condition."