Chapter 122

Cedric passed the phone to Daniela, and she slipped it into her bag.

He had questions in mind, but he hesitated, unsure of the repercussions of asking them.

Cedric knew Daniela wasn't one to revisit old relationships, but back then, she had no principles when it came to Alexander.

He was always the one in control, except when it involved Daniela.

Just as they were about to enter the banquet hall,Cedric stopped briefly and gently grasped Daniela's hand.

He held it for just a moment before letting go.

Daniela turned to face him, her brow slightly furrowed. "What's wrong?" Cedric pressed his lips together as he clenched his hand and unclenched it. After a brief pause, he smiled and shook his head. "It's nothing. Just stick to juice. Drinking at night can be tough on your stomach."

Daniela chuckled, her eyes twinkling like stars.

Cedric felt his heart skip a beat, but he still hesitated.

Lillian and Ryan pulled him to a quiet corner for a scolding.

"Cedric! What were you thinking?" Ryan crossed his arms.

Lillian was frantic. "Were you about to confess? You should've just confessed already. How hard is it to say, 'I like you, and I'm going to pursue you?' It's not that difficult, is it?"

Ryan ran his hand through his hair. "You said you'd wait because Daniela had just returned. Then you said the North District project was urgent, so you'd wait again. What now? Are you going to wait until the project of the South and East Districts is finished?" It was unusual for Ryan to speak this much.

Lillian remarked, "Look at this, you've even got the quiet one talking. Cedric, what do you really want?"

Cedric leaned against the wall, his eyes focused on Daniela as she stood nearby, enjoying a cupcake,all while looking out through the large window.

A shy individual approached her with a drink, and Daniela offered a warm smile, completely unbothered by the cutthroat atmosphere that usually surrounded business.

"She's not ready yet," Cedric murmured.

"Ready for what? Look at this..." Lillian started,but her words trailed off as Alexander emerged from the restroom, walking towards Daniela.

Frowning,Cedric started to move towards them, but Lillian quickly held him back. He glanced at her in confusion.

"Don't bother. You won't get it, even if you try. Just watch and learn," Lillian advised as Ryan held Cedric in place.

The person Daniela was chatting with was a young interior designer, someone Alexander recognized.

He came from a humble, rural background with no connections, relying only on his determination to get ahead. The last time he offered Alexander a drink,Alexander took a small sip without much thought,while the young man downed the entire glass in one go.

Later, Alexander had seen the young man vomiting in the restroom, his girlfriend helping him out.

The girlfriend was simple in appearance and modestly dressed, and she smiled at Alexander as she helped the man.

Alexander had witnessed many couples like them-staying together through the toughest times.

He looked down on people like them.

By the time Alexander reached Daniela, the young man seemed visibly nervous. Daniela glanced at him briefly, her tone neutral. "Mr. Bennett."

Alexander carried himself with the confidence of someone who had made it, and the young man,feeling defeated, handed Daniela his business card before leaving.

Daniela gave the card a quick look-Leandro Prescott, an interior designer.

"Don't waste your time," Alexander said, snatching the card from her hand before she could read it."He's just a nobody with little to offer. If you need a real expert, come to Bennett Group. I'll introduce you to someone with over ten years of experience."

With a casual motion, he threw the card into the trash.

Daniela's expression darkened. "He gave that card to me. What gives you the right to make decisions on my behalf?"

Alexander's brow furrowed, his expression barely controlled. "I'm just looking out for you." Daniela's face twisted into a look of distaste, and Alexander trailed behind her, asking, "Why don't you believe I'm looking out for you?"

Daniela coolly sipped her juice, her eyes glancing at the time.

"These events might be dull, but they're great for making connections," Alexander continued. "If you're not having fun, we can go somewhere better afterward."

Daniela remained indifferent, too disinterested to respond.

Alexander caught the resistance in her eyes,tightened his lips, and fell silent.

Daniela sat on the couch, letting time pass by.With Alexander looming nearby, like a dark cloud, no one dared come near her.

Just as Daniela was about to get up and leave,Alexander spoke up. "Look, Leandro's girlfriend is picking him up again. They look so close now, but he'll dump her the first thing when the money starts rolling in."

Daniela looked over.

Leandro was being helped into a car by a slightly chubby woman in a black dress. She shut the door and quickly made her way to the driver's side.

"That woman is so ordinary. Apart from being strong,I can't think of anything else that stands out about her. Daniela, you know why men go for practical women when they're building something? It's because only those kinds of women will stick with you when times get tough. Trust me, with Leandro's ambition, it won't take long before he moves on to a new girlfriend," Alexander said with a smug smile."I've never been wrong about people."

Daniela glanced at him briefly before breaking into a smile, her expression carrying a hint of sarcasm.

Alexander sensed it wasn't a compliment, but his curiosity got the best of him. "Why are you smiling?"

Daniela responded, "I'm really impressed." Alexander, assuming it was praise, opened his mouth to offer a polite reply-but before he could, Daniela added, "You're unbelievable! Jerk!"