Chapter 198

Cedric shot Caiden a cold, piercing glare. "Look what you got me into!"

Caiden shrank back instinctively, his frustration and grievance palpable.

As Caiden trudged upstairs, his gaze caught Cedric knocking hesitantly on Daniela's door. Cedric looked uncharacteristically subdued, as though unsure of his place.

It was a stark contrast to the authoritative warning he had delivered downstairs moments earlier.

Without lingering, Caiden retreated to his room, his mind swirling with unease.

Cedric remained at Daniela's door, his expression softening into an unconvincing smile. "What's up?" Daniela, fresh from a shower, exuded an effortless allure. Her long, damp curls framed her face,cascading over her shoulders with a natural elegance. Draped in pristine white loungewear,she looked both ethereal and serene, as though she belonged in a dream.

She was seated cross-legged on the plush carpet,her fingers deftly working on a half-completed puzzle. With a casual gesture, she pointed to the space opposite her. "Have a seat."

Despite her gentle demeanor, Cedric couIdn't shake the feeling that her sharp gaze saw straight through him,peeling back layers he hadn't meant to expose.

He remained rooted to the spot. "It's late. I won't intrude.Is there something you need?"

Daniela didn't reply immediately. She lowered her gaze, her fingers picking up a stray puzzle piece from the floor. With a practiced ease, she slid it into its rightful place. "Why did you transfer money to me?" "I told you, it was just a mistake."

Daniela didn't reply immediately.

The longer the quiet lingered, the more Cedric's unease grew.

His guilt churned, swelling into something he could no longer suppress.

"Really?" Daniela finally asked, her voice cool and detached.

Her eyes lifted slowly, and she glanced at her.

"Y-Yes!"

"In the middle of the night, you transferred three hundred million. Can I ask why?" Daniela picked up another puzzle piece and fitted it effortlessly into the growing picture.

Cedric felt the sweat trickling down his back. His earlier shower now seemed utterly pointless.

He couldn't explain it, but he had a sinking suspicion that Daniela already knew the truth. Her calm exterior didn't waver. When she finally glanced up again, her expression was gentle, devoid of judgment, and yet it carried a weight Cedric couldn't ignore.

It felt as though she was just asking casually.

Cedric pressed his lips together, struggling to concoct a believable excuse.

Before he could speak, Daniela's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Forget it, it's nothing. I've already transferred it back to you. Go get some rest."

Even as Cedric turned to close the door, Daniela remained on the floor, her focus on the intricate puzzle pieces spread before her.

The door, which should have clicked shut, stayed slightly ajar.

Cedric knew he should leave. Staying any longer might unravel the carefully guarded secrets he was trying so desperately to conceal, leaving him exposed-ridiculous and foolish in her eyes. But his feet refused to move.

His hand lingered on the doorknob, the weight of his guilt pressing heavily on his chest. It was an unbearable torment, gnawing at him with every passing second.

The door, instead of closing, slowly opened wider.

Cedric stood at the doorway.

Daniela didn't even glance up.

Cedric moved forward, sinking onto the carpet where she had motioned for him to sit earlier.

The tight knot of anxiety twisting in his stomach began to loosen, albeit only slightly.

There were reasons that Cedric couldn't share.Secrets that, if revealed, might tarnish the fragile trust Daniela held in her family.

He could become Daniela's family if she was okay with that.

He didn't want Daniela to become cold and indifferent because of someone like Caiden. It wasn't worth it.

But even with his resolve, he couldn't bear to see Daniela unhappy. So, he stayed.

When Daniela finally looked up, her eyes met Cedric's.

She noticed the turmoil etched into his features. The tight furrow of his brows, the rare flicker of regret shadowing his otherwise composed eyes.

For a few seconds, she just stared, her expression unreadable. "Are you hiding something from me?"

Cedric flinched at the question. "What? No,no."

Daniela didn't push. Instead, she placed the puzzle piece she'd been holding onto the floor and stood,stretching gracefully. "I'm tired. You should get some sleep too."

Cedric remained on the floor, his posture stiff.

Daniela didn't acknowledge him further. With an air of quiet detachment, she lay on the bed, pulling the blanket over herself before turning off the main light.

The room plunged into a comforting darkness,softened by the faint, warm glow of a bedside lamp.

Cedric's gaze drifted to the figure in the bed, and he didn't leave.

He leaned against the bed, reached for the scattered puzzle pieces, and began piecing them together.