Chapter 1013

Josh and Jules were nearing the doorway, ready to step in.

Cedric stepped out from behind Daniela, his cold gaze slicing toward the two men.

Carol stood beside him, arms folded, radiating a bold,unyielding stance.

And there stood Hamilton, his face dark and heavy like storm clouds ready to burst.

The trio lined up behind Daniela, casting a subtle shadow over her smile.

"There you are! It's blazing hot outside, isn't it? You must be worn out. Come on in-we're just firing up the barbecue. Join us!"

Feeling the chill of their stares, Josh and Jules hunched instinctively as they stepped inside.

From afar, the two looked like reluctant guests being hauled into the house.

The estate stretched wide, its spacious lawn lit by warm string lights that gave it a welcoming glow.

Carol and the housekeeper tended the grill, soon ioined hy Nikolas as the preparations continued. Daniela reclined in a patio chair, smiling contentedly as she enjoyed a skewer of grilled meat. Cedric came over and said, "There's too much smoke here. I'll cook you some steamed shrimp instead-you shouldn't overdo the barbecue."

With that, he turned and headed indoors to prepare the shrimp.

Sensing a chance, Josh dragged his chair beside Daniela's.

Jules settled on her other side without a word.

Both of them smirked, pleased with how they'd flanked Daniela like a trap she couldn't slither out of.

Josh shot Jules a quick look. Jules, in turn,slipped a hand into his pocket and brushed his fingers against the concealed poison.

"Daniela," Josh started, while Jules discreetly scattered a clear powder over the barbecue, its foul scent slowly spreading through the air. He hesitated,thinking surely even the most oblivious person would catch on by now.

He whipped around, tense-only to see Daniela focused on Josh, as if nothing was amiss. When Daniela didn't react, Josh breathed out,tension easing. "Daniela, there's been misunderstandings between us. We never intended to trouble you by showing up today." Daniela laughed softly. "And if I told you that you were bothering me,would that have stopped you?"

Her words cut straight, no sugarcoating.

Josh opened his mouth but fumbled for a reply.

Jules quickly cut in, thrusting the barbecue toward Daniela with forced enthusiasm. "You like joking,aren't you? If Josh and I made any mistakes in the past,I hope you'll be generous enough to let them go.Now that you're expecting, stress isn't good for you.We're hoping to move forward on better terms, which is why we came to clear the air. After all, we're family -no need to cling to old grudges. If you eat this skewer, I'll take it as a sign that you've let our past mistakes slide. What do you say?"

Jules was rarely this chatty, but today he couldn't stop -driven by a desperate urge to get rid of Daniela.

"She's not eating that." Hamilton's voice cut through the air as he stepped forward and took the skewer from Jules. "She's pregnant-barbecue's off-limits.I'Ll have this instead."

Jules nearly sprang to his feet. "Hamilton, this one's for Daniela. I'Ll make another for you if you're hungry."

Hamilton eyed the skewer, turning it slightly."Why? Is there something special about this one? Am I not allowed to have it?"

A sheen of sweat started forming on Jules' brow. Josh stepped in. "Jules, let Hamilton have it. Just grab another one for Daniela."

Jules shot Josh a look, who subtly shook his head, "No need to fuss." Josh got up, picked another skewer from the grill, and handed it over."We've got more than enough."

Hamilton kept his eyes on them, his eyebrows gradually drawing together.

Daniela smiled, took the skewer from Jules, and passed it to Hamilton."I prefer the one in your hand."

It was only after that request that Hamilton handed his skewer to her.

Hamilton looked at Daniela. "Craving anything else?Cedric's rules are too tight. Just say it-I'll bring it to you."

Daniela nodded toward the shrimp Carol was cooking."Those," she said simply.

Hamilton walked over without hesitation to grab them.

With the skewer in hand, Daniela leaned back comfortably in her chair.

Jules' shoulders finally loosened. Daniela glanced at him. "What's got you so nervous?" she asked.

Her unexpected question almost made Jules jump out of his seat. He used to chalk up Daniela's rise to pure luck, but after just thirty minutes in her presence, he sensed there was something far deeper-something he couldn't quite grasp.

It felt like she had read every move in advance,leaving him feeling like a puppet.

Suddenly, it made sense why even Hamilton, clever as he was, couldn't outsmart her.

Jules silently vowed to steer clear of Daniela-before he ended up in deep trouble without even knowing it.

Josh flashed a grin at Daniela. "Give this skewer a try -tell us if it's any good. Jules and I are getting old;barbecue doesn't sit well with usanymore.We just enjoy watching the younger ones dig in."

Jules gave a quick nod in agreement.

Daniela offered a gentle smile, her demeanor inviting.She looked at Jules. "I've got a story for you. Want to hear it?"

Josh's face clouded over instantly. His thoughts screamed, "Quit stalling-eat the skewer and drop dead already! What's with the storytelling now?"

Jules couldn't agree more with that thought.

Yet when he met Daniela's clear eyes, he found himself nodding before he could think.

And the moment he realized it, he was shocked. What had he just done?