Chapter 199

The following morning, as Caiden stepped out of his room, he caught sight of Daniela leaving hers.

Moments later, Cedric appeared, his head lowered and his entire demeanor radiating frustration.

Caiden paused for a brief moment before walking over to Cedric. "What's wrong? Did you get chewed out last night? Why the sour face so early?"

Cedric shot him a sharp, icy glare, his whole being emanating cold hostility. "Get lost," he retorted coldly.

The issue with Cedric's money stilI not reaching Caiden's account remained unresolved. With no other options, Caiden reluctantly turned to Alexander for help.

As Caiden explained the situation, Alexander's face twisted in disbelief. "Three hundred million?" Then, as realization set in, a smirk tugged at his lips."Ah,so you're playing both sides? You asked me for fifty million, while trying to squeeze Cedric for three hundred million?"

Caiden scratched his nose, his embarrassment evident on his face.

Alexander didn't seem overly bothered by the fifty million. He'd long been aware of Caiden's despicable nature. What confused him, though, was why Cedric would so willingly hand over three hundred million to Caiden.

Was it to keep the truth buried?

Logically, Cedric should have been the one desperate for Daniela to know who had been there for her as a child.

So why would Cedric be willing to pay to keep that secret?

Alexander couldn't wrap his head around it.

He tried to press Caiden for more answers, but Caiden wasn't interested in discussing it further. All that mattered to him was when the money would finally show up in his account.

Reluctantly, Alexander agreed to assist Caiden but laid down one condition: Caiden had to return the fifty million he had given him.

Caiden's frustration bubbled over. "Is it any wonder Daniela left you? You can't even compare to Cedric when it comes to generosity. Last night, he ended up moving more than three billion! And here you are,bartering over fifty million like it's a fortune!"

Caiden assumed Alexander's request was rooted in concerns about security or some other bureaucratic nonsense, but to him, it just seemed petty.

"Fine, fine! I'll return it. With three hundred million coming my way, your fifty million won't even be noticeable."

Caiden handed the money back to Alexander and reached out to Cedric's secretary to settle the issue. Cedric had received notifications that the failed transfers had been refunded. Annoyed, he handed the matter over to his secretary.

This time, the secretary double-checked Caiden's account details and initiated the transfer once again.

But, just like before, the money left Cedric's account,but it never made its way into Alexander's.

Stunned, Caiden could hardly believe it.

In his desperation, he turned to Alexander, pleading for the return of the fifty million, only to be met with a firm refusal.

At his breaking point, Caiden stood in the courtyard,hands on his hips, and said to Cedric's secretary,"Withdraw it in cash! Tell Cedric to come to the bank with me when he's free!"

When the secretary passed this message to Cedric,he soon received a text from Lillian.

Cedric turned to the secretary. "Forget the transfer.Head back to the Harper family." By the time Cedric reached the Harper family villa,Lillian was already standing at the door,suitcase in hand.

"What's going on?" he asked. "Didn't she agree to let me stay here?"

Lillian quickly looked away, shaking her head.

"Where is Daniela?"

Lillian pointed to the villa, and Cedric breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside, Caiden was trying to smooth things over."Daniela, this is going too far. Cedric's been nothing but kind to you. He's wealthy, but he's willing to stay in this shabby house with you. How could you push himn away like this?"

Caiden opened his mouth to say more, but Daniela turned her head slowly, her cold gaze sweeping over him like a sharp wind.

The sheer intensity of her gaze silenced him instantly. He shrank back, wisely choosing not to speak another word.

Cedric stepped into the living room, then knelt down on the floor, facing Daniela.

Daniela didn't look up. Her head tilted slightly as she sat on the plush rug, absently scrollingthrough her tablet, lost in the news.

"Why? Just give me a reason," he asked.