Chapter 160

Joyce's confident stance faltered the moment Daniela's piercing gaze fixed on the finger she had raised.

Daniela gave a faint, knowing smirk before lowering her head, resuming her game.

When the police finally arrived,representatives from both Phillips Group and Elite Lux had already shown up.

Joyce, lacking the wit to keep up, found herself tangled in the barrage of legal arguments.

Meanwhile,Daniela's words were clear and precise. "It was an unfortunate accident. I'm more than willing to make amends and settle this fairly."

Joyce stood stunned, watching Daniela effortlessly play the same pity game Katrina often used.

Daniela told the police, "My stepmother has always harbored resentment towards me. After my mother passed, she convinced my father to sever our relationship. She married him just days after my mother's death. Now that my father is critically ill,she's barred me from visiting him. Naturally, I became emotional..."

This strategy quickly made the legal complications fade away, and the matter was resolved swiftly.

Still reeling,Joyce watched as Daniela transferred $20,000 into the hospital account. Then with a sweet smile,Daniela addressed Katrina, who was pale from the pain of her fractured finger. "This money is for you. Get some medicine and take better care of that brain of yours."

Katrina tried to respond, but before she could utter a word, Daniela's voice grew colder. "Oh, and just so you know, I've been feeling a bit homesick lately. I'll be moving back tomorrow."

Katrina's expression changed drastically at her words.

Joyce scowled, her voice laced with indignation."What right do you think you have? Dad already severed ties with you!"

"Do you even think? If not, you might want to consider getting yourself a brain." Daniela leaned back,completely at ease. "Yes, Caiden cut ties with me.But the villa was my mother's. Under inheritance law, I still have a stake in it. I can move back whenever I choose,and not even Caiden can stop me-certainly not you."

Daniela stood, stretching lazily, her eyes sweeping over Katrina and Joyce with clear contempt."You two should probably start praying that Caiden doesn't die anytime soon. Otherwise, the portion of the villa left to you might be smaller than a bathroom."

Her words landed like a heavy blow. Katrina's eyes widened in disbelief. The doctor, misreading her response, murmured, "I'll be more gentle."

Katrina's face remained torn, her mind swirling with confusion. Then, Daniela added the final blow. "I'll be on my way now. I have a feeling Caiden will wake soon. Don't you think so,Katrina?"

Katrina was stunned into silence, her thoughts scattered.

Joyce stormed over to Alexander, slipping her arm through his with a sense of urgency. "Alexander! Did you hear the way Daniela was talking? So sarcastic,so cold! Anyone who heard her would think we were the ones who killed Brylee! It's a blessing you didn't stay with her; she's totally out of her mind!"

Alexander wasn't so easily fooled. Joyce might have missed the meaning of Daniela's words, but he didn't.What did she mean by Caiden waking up soon? How could she possibly know?

Alexander narrowed his eyes, a growing suspicion forming as his gaze turned to Katrina.

Meanwhile, Katrina,getting ready for surgery on her fractured finger,stepped out of the ward to make a call before signing the necessary forms.

In the quiet hospital garden, she whispered into the phone, "Mom, do you think Daniela has figured something out? Why would she suddenly want to move back? She has a prime spot in the Elite Lux building with a city view. Why would she want to move back?"

On the other end, her mother was playing cards."You're overthinking it. Daniela was just a kid back then. She was only five. Who remembers things from that age?"

Katrina's unease persisted. "Then why did she snap so suddenly? She's always been so calm, never argumentative. But today, she was completely different."

Her mother let out a soft laugh. "Maybe it's because of Alexander. She's probably just holding a grudge.Think about it-she loved him for so long. What's the term? Oh,right, sunk cost. Alexander's her sunk cost.She's upset she lost him and can't do anything about it,so now she's taking it out on you."

Katrina muttered quietly, "Is that really what it is?"

But something didn't sitright. Daniela didn't appear bitter. In fact, she seemed to have grown quite close to Cedric. She had even entrusted him with the sales of the villa.

Didn't that imply Cedric was now more significant to Daniela than Alexander?

The thought made Katrina boil with anger.

Daniela had lost Alexander but gained someone even more valuable-Cedric.

How could she have such luck?

If Cedric had chosen Joyce, it would've been perfect.

Her mother's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Sweetheart, I'm out of money again. Send me half a million. And stop worrying about Daniela. Brylee was tough back then, but she couldn't outdo you in the end,right? You've done fine since then. If you handled Brylee,Daniela will be a breeze. And if things go south,just take care of her too. Problem solved."

Katrina ended the call, but her mind was still swirling with uncertainty.

Upstairs,Joyce summoned her for surgery, and Katrina made her way back to the surgical ward.

Had Daniela figured something out?

What was her real reason for coming back this time?

Lost in thought, she missed a step and tumbled down.

There was a sharp crack, and her whole hand snapped.

Her piercing scream rang out, reaching the underground parking lot.

In the parking lot, Cedric stopped Daniela just as she was about to enter her car.

She glanced up at him, asking, "What's going on?"