Chapter 667

Caiden studied Nikolas' hand for a long time. When he finally looked up, his eyes met Daniela's. "I need a word with you. Alone."

Right after saying it, he turned his head to Cedric.

Cedric didn't speak. His lips pressed into a tight line as he gave Daniela a glance.

Daniela knew Caiden was about to make a request.

Without a word, she got to her feet.

Caiden thought Daniela was going to talk to him, so he braced himself.

But instead of walking his way, she started climbing the stairs.

While moving past Cedric, she said, "Take Nikolas to the guest room."

Caiden's face fell. "Wait, what about me? I haven't even said my piece." He rose from his seat and raised his voice. "Daniela! I told you l wanted to talk. Didn't you hear me?" She was already halfway up the stairs.

Panic started to rise in Caiden's chest. "Don't you want to know if Nikolas is the same person from before?"

Daniela didn't stop to answer. She looked over her shoulder and said to Cedric, "You explain it."

That left Caiden frozen, confused. Cedric stayed quiet until he had walked Nikolas to the guest room. Only then did he speak. "There's nothing to explain."

Caiden blinked. "Why not?"

"Because Nikolas is the one who saved you."

Caiden's whole body stiffened. "What? How do you know that? Did you already know?"

"We figured it out just recently."

Caiden's voice cracked. "What are you talking about?How could you know something like that? I'm the only one who saw the burn."

Cedric's stare turned sharp."We didn't need to seeit.The way you reacted told us everything. You were planning to use that truth as leverage with Daniela.That's how we know Nikolas is the one who released you from the mental institution." Caiden slapped his knee in frustration.

Refusing to give in, he raised his voice again. "Daniela.please! I'm not sure yet. Nikolas might not be the one who helped me! I never said it was confirmed!"

Silence followed.

He stood there, realizing she was done listening

His legs gave way beneath him. He sank to the floor,his eyes wandering to the old vase resting on the wooden cabinet.

Daniela had just gone upstairs when a knock sounded at her door.

Tasha came in, visibly upset. "He did it again! He took more things from the house. That's the eighth time this month. He keeps taking small items your mom got from those auctions back when you were a kid."

They were old pieces-easy to overlook.

Each one had come from Brylee. Thoughtful gifts meant only for Daniela. Priceless now.

Those items were the only things Brylee had left behind for her.

Caiden had taken them without a second thought.Then he sold them off for pocket change. He never did miss a chance to let her down.

When Caiden returned home the next morning, he wore a grin like nothing was wrong.

Daniela was waiting on the sofa. Her stare was icy.He didn't seem to notice.

That smug grin stuck to his face as he walked right past her and headed to his room.

Daniela spoke up, her tone flat. "Just so you know, I went into your room earlier and accidentally broke your golf club."

Caiden spun around. His face hardened with rage."What? You broke my club? Where is it?"

"I threw it out," Daniela said calmly. "It was already broken."

"You what? You threw it away? That set cost over a million! Why were you in my room? Who said you could go in there?"

Daniela lifted her eyebrows, matching his glare.′′|was looking for a small clay figure my mother gave me when I was a child. She said it was valuable and told me to pass it on to my own kid someday."

Caiden's eyes twitched. The change in his expression was sudden. "Is that so? I didn't see anything like that. I didn't even know it existed." He looked shaken.

Her voice dropped lower. "Didn't know? That's strange.I saw you holding it a few days ago. You asked how much it cost her at the auction. Remember that? | told you it was a gift. It was bought for millions back then It's worth even more now. That's why I ordered a custom case for it. But I can't find it now."

Caiden's throat bobbed as he swallowed. "Maybe you misplaced it. You should check again."' He turned to leave.

"One more thing," she said, rising from the sofa."Where did you get the money to buy a million-dollar golf club,Dad?"

He had no job. He spent most days lying around, doing nothing useful. Yet he somehow bought that clublike it was no big deal.

"And I've noticed some changes. New clothes,high-end brands, rare designer pieces. I even saw a belt that sells for over five million. So tell me-where's all this money coming from lately? Teach me how, so l can get richer too."

Caiden didn't say a word. He stood frozen in place.

Then, slowly, he turned and met her gaze. "You've known this whole time, haven't you? Why are you acting like you don't?"