Chapter 627

Richard arrived at Elite Lux, his smile unwavering.

The trio stepped into the first-floor cafeteria and settled at their table.

Richard wore a flawlessly tailored suit, every seam perfectly in place, while his slicked-back hair gleamed under the lights. Stepping inside with practiced ease,he greeted Daniela with a smooth, "My dear."

Daniela met his warmth with an icy edge. "Just call me Daniela."

Richard hesitated briefly but soon regained his smile."You never fail to tease, do you?"

Alexander shared a quick look with himbefore turning to Daniela. "Daniela, go ahead and order. I need to use the restroom, and will be right back."

Just before disappearing down the hallway,Alexander paused, pulled out his phone, and discreetly snapped a picture of Richard and Daniela.

The framing wNas impeccable-deliberate and telling.

The image painted an intimate scene-Daniela, mid- gesture, inviting Richard to sit, while he beamed with apparent delight.

Richard's face was alight with an almost triumphant grin.

Alexander forwarded the picture to Cedric Along with the photo, he sent a message. "We're having a lovely family dinner tonight. Talking about remarriage. Cedric,if you really care about Daniela, it's time to let go."

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Alexander strolled back to the table, his expression unreadable.

Carol leaned in close, murmuring, "Alexander sent a photo to Cedric. Want me to block it?"

Elite Lux's security system could jam signals, erasing messages before they reached their destination.

Daniela skimmed the message Carol presented and,without a flicker of concern, said, "Don't bother."

Carol gave a curt nod and left.

Richard, still smiling, chimed in, "What's the hushed talk about, my dear?"

Daniela remained indifferent, but Richard was relentless, flipping through photos on his phone like a man on a mission.

"Daniela, my dear, what a pity you didn't come home today. The house is nothing like you remember. Look at these antiques | brought back-worth over 80million. This snuff bottle? Over 60 million. And this vase? A solid 100 million."

Richard spoke with growing excitement, but Daniela found her appetite waning.

"So,when are you coming home, my dear? You used to love it there. I'll cook something special just for you. The villa's been completely redone-so luxurious it made it to TV. You have to see it."

Richard basked in his own self-importance, rambling on for half an hour.

All the while, Alexander kept his eyes on Daniela,quietly observing.

He noticed that Daniela was calmer than before,her expression unreadable-neither intrigued nor bothered by Richard's bragging.

However, Alexander didn't intervene, thinking Richard's boasting was normal.

After all, wasn't success meant to be something a man's beloved could take pride in?

Richard went on, "Tired from work, my dear? I know organizing exhibitions lately has taken a toll on you.You're still young; don't push yourself too hard. If there's anything you need, just ask Alexander. You know, he's the president of the association now,holds a lot of influence. Most of the things that stress you could be handled with a single word from him. Daniela,young women should enjoy life, not bury themselves in work."

Richard's tone sharpened with a trace of irritation as he turned to Alexander. "Alexander, Daniela lost her mother. She's been through enough. Don't make things harder for her. Help her, will you? Don't be like Cedric,always leaving her to fend for herself.You saw what happened last time-handling things alone can be dangerous. We all learned that lesson, didn't we?"

Alexander nodded without hesitation. "Dad,I get it.I'll look after Daniela."

Just as Alexander finished speaking, his eyes flicked to the entrance. Cedric had just stepped out of a car,his movements unsteady.

A slow smirk played on Alexander's lips. "Daniela,we've known each other for years. Let's take a picture together."

Daniela remained still. "I don't like taking pictures."

Despite her refusal, Alexander started to rise, while Richard had already struck a pose.

Daniela's voice was firmer this time. "I said-I don't like taking pictures."

Alexander ignored her, already lifting his phone.

Daniela's frown deepened, and she was just about to rise when her gaze landed on Cedric, standing at the entrance,his expression shattered.

His fingers gripped the door handle, eyes locked on her.

The instant the camera flashed,something inside his gaze seemed to fracture.

"Daniela, set a date and divorce Cedric."

That single sentence was all Cedric heard, and it rang in his ears like a cruel echo.

He couldn't bear another second. Turning on his heel,he stumbled out, barely keeping himself upright.

Daniela watched as Cedric walked away, his figure weighed down by a crushing sense of defeat.

"Oh dear! The photo didn't come out well." Richard chuckled. "Daniela, come on, look at the camera. Let's take a proper family photo."

The sleek black car vanished into the night. At that moment,Daniela rose to her feet.

"That's enough for today." Her voice was sharp, unwavering

Alexander and Richard both stiffened, caught off guard.

But Daniela had already turned on her heel, walking off without hesitation.

Richard blinked,momentarily at a loss. A deep frown creased his forehead before he muttered, "Daniela's been acting different lately."