Chapter 724

Cedric was nearly done with his packing when Daniela's voice echoed. "Cedric, step outside for a moment."

He halted, tension creasing his brow. "What is it?"

"I need a word with you. Step outside for a sec, will you?" Daniela responded, her tone insistent.

This marked the first instance Cedric was hesitant to comply when Daniela summoned him.

Cedric glanced around, his unease apparent. "I'm sort of tied up right now. What's this about?"

Daniela lingered in the doorway,her eyes steady and piercing.

Cedric shifted awkwardly, his gaze darting, betraying his anxiety.

For reasons she couldn't pinpoint, a wave of remorse washed over Daniela. Cedric was blameless, yet his manner suggested guilt, as if burdened by some unsaid wrongdoing.

She watched him fumble with his belongings, clearly reluctant to join her outside.

Silently, she pressed her lips, a sign of her growing frustration and concern.

Cedric raised his eyes to meet hers, his gaze heavy with unspoken pleas. "I don't mean to be a bother.I'm merely following along. Is that unacceptable?"

Unvoiced thoughts hung between them, a silent accord seemingly reached.

Daniela exhaled sharply, her lips a tight line, before she turned away, leaving without a word.

Cedric, puzzled, sought clarity, from Joyce,who lingered nearby. "Has she consented then?"

Joyce, well-versed in Daniela's complexities,pondered. Daniela, who had coldly left her own father in a psychiatric facility, might appear heartless. To her, Cedric's humble request was unlikely to make a dent.

However, the hopeful glimmer in Cedric's eyes tugged at her.

Life had shown her its share of cruelty and deception; comprehending the depths of human nature was as elusive as grasping the wind.

Yet, Cedric's heart lay open and honest in his dealings with Daniela, a stark contrast to the murky waters of human intentions.

Cedric's life had become entwined with Daniela's,mirroring the way the moon orbits the Earth.

Now, as Daniela prepared to leave, she had no plans to bring Cedric along.

The thought left Joyce pondering-if Daniela truly departed, Cedric's world might become as bleak as a night sky devoid of stars.

She gazed at Cedric, offering a tentative nod."Perhaps she'll change her mind. You never know; you might just be the exception."

Cedric's expression was riddled with doubt. He pursed his lips, his voice soft and uncertain as he posed the question to either Joyce or himself. "Could I possibly be her exception this time?"

Later that day, after finishing work, Kohen sought out Daniela, visibly upset. "Why not choose me?"

Daniela met his gaze with a serene calm. "You lack the necessary acumen. How can I rely on someone who cannot even formulate a decent proposal?"

Kohen's gaze wavered. "I-"

Daniela cut him off, her voice steady and clear."You're burdened by family responsibilities; you had children early. Your thoughts are more scattered than most. I need a partner who is neither naive nor preoccupied. Do you understand?"

Daniela was always blunt, and her mood today was far from bright. She had no patience for softening her statements. "So, you're blatantly aligning yourself with Charles?"Kohen demanded, irritation coloring his tone as he found Daniela's confidence overbearing.

"Why not?" Daniela responded with a serene composure. "I have the credentials. Show me you can match the elite-the world's wealthiest-and perhaps then you'll earn the right to bargain with me."

Kohen clenched his jaw, his pride wounded. Each of

Daniela's words hit home, infuriating yet undeniable."You...I...Anything Charles can offer, I can match it!"A soft laugh escaped Daniela. "Really?I'm skeptical."Kohen narrowed his eyes, dlefiance flickering within.

"If I say I can, then believe me, I can!"

Acknowledging his resolve with a nod, Daniela casually reached into a drawer, pulled out a fruit knife, and flung it onto the table.

The knife dropped with a loud clang, its weight unmistakable.Just then, the door to the CEO's office burst open.

Nikolas and Charles strode in from outside.

Daniela, not even bothering to glance up, addressed Kohen. "You claimed you could handle it? Here-take the knife. Go ahead and kill Nikolas."

Upon hearing that, Kohen and Nikolas both froze,stunned by her bluntness, while Charles looked on,utterly indifferent.

Kohen, taken aback by Daniela's audacity, stared first at the knife, then at Daniela, and finally at Nikolas.

Overwhelmed, he turned back to Daniela, incredulity in his voice. "You want me to kill my own brother?Have you lost your mind?"

Daniela met his gaze with a cold detachment. "Lost my mind? The person responsible for my mother's death holds more power than Nikolas. If you're too timid to confront Nikolas, how can you possibly be of any use to me? What basis do we have for collaboration?" She continued, addressing both Kohen and Charles,"Remember, we are partners here-equals. I don't play the roles of superior or subordinate. If you're not prepared to reciprocate on equal terms, then don't expect me to align with you."