Chapter 177: I Don't Need Your Help

In Yatria, Nathael spent several days recovering in a private hospital. His injuries had significantly improved. He turned off the TV, which was broadcasting news about the Camerons, and his expression darkened.

"Alex, tell Henry to buy up all the Camerons' shares. Spread the word that businesses dealing with the Harrises are not allowed to work with the Camerons."

"Got it," Alex responded promptly, sensing trouble for the Camerons.

Nathael got up, and with Alex's assistance, changed into fresh clothes. Then, in a deep voice, he instructed, "Take me to Demi's studio."

"Sure."

An hour later, a sleek black Maybach stopped in front of a stylish studio. The sky was beginning to brighten, and the streets were still quiet. The morning sun bathed the long street, casting warm orange hues on the vintage street lamps, creating a charming ambiance.

Entering the studio, Nathael found himself surrounded by retro decor, with rich walnut furnishings emitting a pleasant woody scent. Elegant chandeliers illuminated the space, and display windows showcased an array of dolls—the same brand Maggie had flaunted.

"How can I help you, sir?" an enthusiastic foreign salesperson greeted him.

Nathael scanned the dolls, noting their various sizes and styles. Some were clearly marked as limited editions. The designs were adorable; not merely cute, but animated in expression—pouting, laughing, angry, and glaring—evoking joy with every glance. "I'll take this set," Nathael stated firmly, pointing to a display window.

The salesperson, following his gaze, couldn't hide her surprise. (She thought: "It seems this gentleman really doesn't know")*

"Sorry, sir, this set is for display only. Each of the ten dolls is a limited edition, requiring a lottery to purchase. Besides, seven of the dolls are already discontinued, and the remaining three can only be obtained through a lottery, online or in-store."

The salesperson's long-winded explanation concluded that the dolls were not for sale, even to a wealthy customer.

Standing behind Nathael, Alex furrowed his brow, feeling out of his depth. He hadn't expected the dolls to be so complicated. He could tell that while the regular

(The text then jumps to a later scene.)

The salesperson maintained a professional expression while scoffing internally. (She thought: "He wants to buy all the limited-edition dolls at once? What does he think this is? A farmer's market?")*

"Sir, perhaps you'd like to see our new models for this year. These are our best-sellers" she offered, but Nathael stood by the display window, insisting, "I want this set."

The salesperson was momentarily speechless, unsure how to proceed. (She thought: "This customer's pipe dream")* It was obvious Nathael wasn't going to explain.

He dialed Demi's number and initiated a video call.

"Nathael?" Demi's surprise was evident. Confirming his identity, she was taken aback to see the elusive Nathael.

"Sell me this collectible doll series," Nathael declared, aiming the camera at the display.

Demi recognized the store's counter and recalled hearing that Nathael was in town. (She thought: "Is he in my store now? But why does he want to buy dolls?")* She was perplexed. After all, her cousin Nathael was a macho, cruel man. It seemed strange for him to like dolls.

"What do you want them for? A lot of those dolls aren't for sale," Demi squinted, wondering if he had a hidden agenda.

"I want to give them to someone," Nathael replied casually, turning the camera to face himself.

Demi chuckled, teasingly suggesting, "Is it my future sister-in-law?"

Nathael replied with a slight smile, "Yes."

Demi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Seriously?"

Nathael offered no further explanation and turned to Alex. "Go pay—"

"No, that set isn't for sale!" Demi interjected hastily, her heart sinking.

She only had two complete sets of those special dolls left—one in a Misk City store, and the other in Basseville. (She thought: "I can't believe Nathael picked those dolls out of everything in the store! They're my babies. He's so heartless! I wonder if he took a close look at the dolls I created? How else could he have spotted her treasured dolls so quickly? But Demi was sure that Nathael, with his personality, surely hadn't done so. So, she concluded that Nathael had a keen eye.")*

Alex was summoned, and Nathael squinted at the screen. Demi had a striking appearance and a chubby face that gave her an adorable look, resembling a flower in a lush bush. Although Demi felt a sting of pain, she boldly declared, "Since it's for my future sister-in-law, I'll just give it to her as a gift!"

Nathael nodded in approval and said in a low voice, "Alright, I'll get you a nice car later."

Demi beamed. "Cousin Nathael, I'll consider you my real brother now! And where's my sister-in-law? Let me see her! What type of dolls does she prefer? I'll create a few custom ones for her!"

"She's not here," Nathael said, feeling in a good mood as he chatted with her for a while.

"Don't worry, Nathael! When are you bringing her home? Anyway, just let me know if you need anything. I'll be there to support you in every way and offer my advice so that I can hasten the arrival of my nephew!"

Nathael stayed silent. Demi spoke cheerfully, her words tinged with flattery, yet charming. She was like a ray of sunshine.

"I don't need your help," Nathael said casually, ending the call without giving her another chance to speak.

Demi looked at the suddenly dark screen and sighed. (She thought: "I can't believe he doesn't want my help!")*

The salesperson, in disbelief, wrapped up the dolls for Nathael, feeling puzzled.

Nathael, feeling content, thought that Maggie would appreciate them.

"Book a flight back home for the day after tomorrow," Nathael said in a deep tone.

Alex paused. "But your injuries haven't fully healed yet, and your arm still can't exert much force…"

This cleaned-up version addresses grammar, punctuation, and flow issues. It also removes unnecessary repetition and integrates the internal thoughts of the characters more smoothly. The seemingly abrupt jump in the text was preserved, as the original source may be incomplete or the cut intentional.