Chapter 478

The event organizers had originally placed Daniela's seat next to Cedric.

Lydia approached Daniela and asked, "Ms. Harper,apologies, but you're in my spot. Could you find another seat,please?"

The sound of cameras clicking filled the air as reporters rushed to capture the moment.

All eyes then turned to Daniela.

The crowd was eager to see if Daniela would confront the daring woman.

Yet,Daniela remained perfectly calm.

She glanced over at Cedric, their eyes locked briefly,and she offered a subtle smile before saying, "Alright."

With that,Daniela headed to the back of the room and settled into the last open seat.

The event staff scrambled in disarray, while Cedric maintained a grim look throughout.

Lydia,watching with a flirty smile, teased Cedric, "Mr.Phillips, if you invited me to stir jealousy, that look won't help. We should appear closer, more

ffetn The mysterious, fleeting expression on Daniela's face earlier in the light lingered in Cedric's mind,refusing to let him go.

He believed Daniela had no feelings for him.

Not at all!

She seemed indifferent to him bringing another woman to the event.

What did he truly mean to her?

Just a casual fling, without any real meaning?

Anger brewed inside Cedric, his focus far from Lydia's subtle flirtations.

Meanwhile, Lillian, seated at the back, was fuming."Daniela! I've said it before-Cedric isn't worth your time!"

Daniela's hand, hanging by her side, shook uncontrollably.

The dim lighting at the auction masked her expression.Despite taking several deep breaths, her anxiety persisted.

At last, Daniela exhaled deeply. She retrieved a pill from her purse.

Observing this, Lillian turned and held Daniela's hand down. "Don't take it now. If you do,you'll have to begin all over." In the front row. Lydia rested her head on Cedric's shoulder, then shifted closer, their faces nearly touching.

Daniela managed a weak smile and said to Lillian, "If I don't take this, I won't make it through the night here."

Lillian slowly loosened her hold.

Daniela swallowed the pill with calm indifference.letting the wine wash it down.

From the shadows, a pair of ominous eyes observed every move.

Midway through the event, Daniela's chest tightened.She impulsively placed a bid on an item and whispered to Lillian, "I don't feel well. Let's go."

Lillian agreed, and with Daniela, they both stood up to leave.

Before leaving, Daniela turned and stole a glance at Cedric in the front row, subtly lowering her eyelashes.

As she raised her eyes, Cedric coincidentally looked back, and their gazes locked.

Daniela's face lit up with a sincere, effortless smile.

With a soft smile, she mouthed to Cedric, "I'm leaving.

She quickly walked over to the heavy wooden door and disappeared behind it. Cedric stood up abruptly

Puzzled, Lydia asked, "What's wrong?"

Cedric shook off Lydia's hand, a wave of panic washing over him as he darted outside.

However,when he reached the door, it was empty;no one was in sight.

All that remained was the stream of passing cars.Standing at the hotel entrance,he gave himself a hard slap.

"Mr. Phillips," called out the secretary, rushing after him. "What are you doing out here? They're waiting for your speech inside. Come on, we need to get back."

Feeling hollow,Cedric lingered at the doorway,his pause prolonged by the distant voices filtering out from the venue. "Next, please welcome Mr. Phillips to present the most significant auction item of the night."

"Mr.Phillips? Mr.Phillips?"

The secretary, grabbing Cedric's arm,hurried him back inside. As they reentered, Cedric glanced back one last time.

Outside,the night lay dark and still.

Daniela didn't head home; she went back to Elite Lux instead.

"Are you alright?" Lillian asked. Daniela shook her head. "Just a bit down. It's normal -just side effects from the medication. I'm okay."

Lillian was visibly upset. "Divorce Cedric! What a jerk!Is it just because you didn't tell him everything? Does it really need to be this way?"

Daniela slumped back on the couch, drained. "Let's see.If...”"

She struggled to finish what she was trying to say.

The memories of their closeness haunted her. How could she just let go?

After some time, Daniela seemed to be reasoning wvith herself or perhaps reassuring Lillian. "It shouldn't have been made public. That way, he'd have more options going forward. Back then, I acted without thinking.I assumed..."

Daniela left her thoughts hanging. She walked over to the refrigerator, grabbed a beer, and gulped it down in one swift motion.

Lillian, fuming with anger, pressed her. "What were you thinking?"

Daniela reached for another beer. "I thought he'd have no regrets. I didn't ponder it too deeply. Honestly, I always knew he was stubborn. He wouldn't being willing to remain in the dark forever. That's why i kept my marriage to Cedric to myself for so long." upset Cedric, nor did she want him to go unrecognized and unacknowledged.

Yet,he still ended up getting hurt.

Lillian couldn't believe it. "Who do you think is really suffering in all this? Don't you ever think about yourself? If you get divorced and remarried, it would be your third marriage. Doesn't that embarrass you?"

Daniela laughed it off. "Is it really?"

It shouldn't happen again.

If things don't work out this time, she's determined not to marry again.

Daniela didn't say any of these thoughts aloud.Instead.she kept drinking with Lilian.

Lillian could usually handle her drink well,but even she couldn't keep up with Daniela.

As dawn was about to break, Lillian slumped over,having drunkenly passed out.

Daniela, still feeling uneasy, took a bottle and made her way to the rooftop.

Chapter 479 | Am Yours

Competing was never really Daniela's thing.

If Cedric indeed harbored other intentions..

Daniela's grip on the wine bottle grew unsteady,her hand shaking increasingly.

She decided to place it down.

Atop the rooftop, the wind howled fiercely as it rushed past her.

Daniela shut her eyes, focusing on the sounds and sensations around her.

As the wind pushed the rooftop door open with a squeak, Daniela spun around to see a silhouette outlined against the faint light.

She stood up, her eyes gleaming like luminous pearls in the darkness.

The figure slowly approached, getting closer.

The darkest moments come right before the break of dawn.

Clouded by medication and alcohol, Daniela's thoughts were foggy.

Yet she smiled,observing the familiar figure advancing towards her,step by step.

"Cedric."

The figure stood outlined in the light, creating a dark silhouette.

In a deep, echoing voice, he answered, "Yes, it's me."

Suddenly,the man lifted his hands.

The smile on Daniela's face froze,losing its warmth.

Confused and disoriented, she asked, "Is that you.

Cedric?"

She was about to raise her hand when a pair of large hands covered her eyes.

"Yes, I am." The voice was deep and identical to Cedric's.

Almost immediately,Daniela sensed his breath drawing nearer.

She stood still for a moment, before quickly taking two steps back.

However, her vision was still covered by those large hands.

The man asked, "What's wrong?"

Daniela felt his intense gaze fixed on her lips. In her confusion,he moved closer still. "I am Cedric. Will youpush me away?"

As his breath tickled her lips, Daniela's expression turned into a frown and she stepped back once more.

This time, Daniela brushed away the hands covering her eyes.

She was met with a face that mirrored Cedric's.

"What's the matter? Don't want me to kiss you?" the man asked, his eyes locked on her. His tone, carrying a trace of a smile, was just as familiar.

"Who are you?" Daniela asked, her voice steady and firm.

"Cedric." The man opposite her hesitated, then straightened up. "I am Cedric. Are you actually upset with me?"

This time, her retreat was much quicker.

She watched the man in front of her with careful attention.

Once more, she reminded herself that he looked strikingly similar to Cedric.

"You were with Joyce at the last banquet. Who are you,really?"

The man's smile turned sinister in the shadows. "I am Cedric, the man of your desires. Aren't you exhausted of the old Cedric? You believe he doesn't get you. You feel he forces you to say things you don't wish to.You see him as cold and indifferent. Daniela, I am the new Cedric. I will always submit to you and loyally remain at your side. I will become whoever you need me to be. Isn't that better?"

Daniela shook her head firmly. "No."

The man suddenly froze in place.

"I said, No," Daniela repeated. "I love Cedric, no matter his flaws. I don't care if he loves someone else.Whatever he chooses. I support him. His happiness matters more to me than my own."

In the darkness, the man's brows furrowed deeply."What about me? Don't you want me? Daniela, if you wish,I am yours!"

His voice held the seductive whisper of a lover.enchanting its spell in Daniela's ear.

Daniela shook her head and shut her eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw that the rooftop was empty.

Only the lingering chill of the wind remained.

Daniela stood still,puzzled.

Suddenly, the rooftop door swung open, and Lillian stepped through, rubbing her eyes. "Daniela, why are you out here? Isn't it cold?"

Daniela asked, "Did you see anyone on your way un just now?"

Chapter 480 An Unexpected Twist

Lillian shook her head. "No. Who do you think made it up here?"

Daniela's gaze intensified against the biting wind as she responded, "The person who looks a lot like Cedric."

Lillian hesitated and then questioned, "Could you have been mistaken? There's only one way up to the rooftop. I didn't see anyone coming down."

Daniela gave no reply. Her eyes swept across the empty rooftop.

"Let's head back inside," Lillian suggested, noticing the biting cold. "It's too cold up here; we shouldn't risk catching a cold."

Daniela acknowledged with a slight nod.

They made their way to the elevator and descended back to the office.

Concerned, Lillian immediately called a doctor to examine Daniela.

When the doctor arrived, he was spotted by Linden.

With a furrowed brow, Linden confronted Lilian.annovance evident in his voice. "Why wasn't informed that Daniela is ill? I'm also a doctor, freshly certified at that. Don't you think I'm capable?"

Lillian presented the doctor's credentials, halting Lindenfor a moment.

Lillian nudged Linden aside. "Please,stay out of the way."

Frozen in place, Linden was awe-struck. The doctor treating Daniela was none other than Lee Hoffman,his long-admired idol.

Linden tried to follow, but Lillian halted him with a raised hand at the door.

His voice betrayed his hurt feelings. "Was everything you said about me being Daniela's family doctor just a lie?"

Lillian stood with her arms crossed, her face giving nothing away. Her expression was somber.

Linden looked at her, a mix of fear and confusion in his eyes. "Mustn't it be incredibly expensive to have Lee treat her?"

Lillian's response was emotionless. "There's no charge.Daniela and Lee are close friends."

Linden's eyes widened with astonishment. "She's truly remarkable!" His admiration was more heartfelt than ever before. He hesitated briefly before asking, "What exactly is troubling Daniela? What's the problem?"

He always thought of Daniela as strong.

She was active, running and exercising daily.seemingly the picture of health.

Linden posed his question with a casual smile.

However, Lillian was glaring at him with a look that could kill.

Scared, Linden asked. "What's the issue?"

Lillian averted her eyes. "Just a reminder-there are things you're meant to know and will learn in time.But prying into forbidden knowledge could prove catastrophic for you."

Linden let out a nervous chuckle. "Catastrophic? What are you suggesting, that you might kill me?"

His laughter became more forced as he spoke.

Moments later, the hallway fell into an unsettling silence.

Linden was confronted with Lillian's cold,menacing stare.

"Interested in testing your limits?" she asked.

Linden felt his heart miss a beat. He faltered before responding, "Test what exactly?"

'Facing death. That's what you seem to be inviting." Lillian said sharply, her usual hint of a smile completely absent.Fear clutched at Linden's chest.

At that instant, Linden realized Daniela and her group were not the easy marks like Elyse or Natalie, who could be easily manipulated. These were not individuals to trifle with.

Swiftly touching his nose, Linden made a quick exit from the corridor.

Meanwhile, inside the treatment room, Lee was attending to Daniela. "You've been well for so long.What went wrong today?"

With a rueful smile, Daniela replied, "Just an unexpected twist,nothing more."

Lee's brow furrowed. "You've been off your meds for a while now; such occurrences are unusual.Remember,medication has its side effects; it's detrimental over time. You musttake better care of yourself."

Daniela acknowledged with a nod. "I understand."

Lee continued, "You only took a little medication this time, but next time, don't let your emotions spiral.Otherwise, you might need continuous treatment,which would severely impact your health. You're aware of the risks, aren't you?"

Daniela nodded once more.

Outside the room, Lillian listened intently to Lee's advice, her expression darkening, shadowed like the night.