Chapter 211

"I do harbor feelings for someone special, yet I'm prepared to compromise. As the heir of an illustrious family, basking in the opulence and prestige bestowed upon me, I am ready to uphold my family's legacy without hesitation."

As Huntley spoke, his eyes carried the weight of an unspoken sadness.

Daniela paused to take a sip of water, her gaze drifting to Cedric, who was absorbed in his salad, seemingly oblivious to the conversation. A subtle smile graced her lips.

Turning to Huntley, she responded, "However, I refuse to coerce myself into anything."

Huntley's eyebrow arched in surprise. "Haven't you done exactly that in the past? Surely, you didn't actually have affection for that scumbag,Alexander?"

Daniela's smile persisted as she responded, "Indeed, I had compelled myself before, but I've grown less willing to do so now."

Having tasted true freedom, it was difficult to relinquish.

Huntley was momentarily taken aback by her candor, then his lips curved into a thoughtful smile.

As the meal, Cedric's gaze lingered on Daniela while Huntley accompanied her home. He then casually slung his arm around Huntley's shoulders, steering him away.

"What exactly do you mean?" Cedric's tone matched the intensity in his steady gaze. The memory of Huntley and Daniela laughing together lingered in his mind, stirring a sense of unease. "Are you really considering pursuing Daniela?"

Huntley folded his arms, nodded thoughtfully, and stretched out his long legs across the plush sofa in the dimly lit bar. "This was my family's decision. To me, the pursuit of any woman is much the same.Daniela is stunning. Not to mention wealthy. Her robotics company is burgeoning with potential, and my family holds her in high esteem." Cedric's expression grew shadowy, his brows knitting together.

Leaning back, Huntley took a leisurely sip of his drink and continued with a dismissive wave of his hand,"They've pretty much written me off as unable to forge my own path, so they're banking on me using my charm to land a successful partner."

Turning to catch Cedric's sullen profile, Huntley bit back a chuckle. "In my opinion, Daniela is a perfect fit.With her abilities and resourcefulness, the Lambert family will be in good hands."

At these words, Cedric whipped his head around, his voice laced with a hint of reproach. "You've prattled on enough but haven't once mentioned actually liking her. Marriage isn't a game. She's been through a divorce;it would be cruel to risk her getting hurt again."

Huntley's smile was tinged with nonchalance. "Is that your worry? But who says I don't have feelings for her,or that she doesn't care for me? We had a splendid chat tonight. In fact, I've invited her to breakfast tomorrow, and she's accepted. Cedric, you've been into Daniela forever. If you don't take your chance and win her over, you can't blame others for stepping in, can you?"

Cedric's frown deepened, his anger momentarily quelled by Huntley's calm retort. "I'm not interested in your justifications. I want to know what she thinks, what she feels."

"Daniela said..." Huntley paused deliberately, savoring each word as he observed Cedric's mounting frustration. "I brought up the topic of marriage, and Daniela didn't dismiss it outright. I even ventured that since we're headed towards a family-arranged union anyway, it's perfectly acceptable. I vowed to honor 'till death do us part' and not to meddle in her pursuits thereafter."

Cedric's jaw clenched tightly as he demanded, "What did she say?"

With a mischievous chuckle, Huntley reached for a slice of watermelon from the spread before them."Hold on, I'm not done yet. I proposed to Daniela that if she doesn't find someone suitable within the next month,she might as well take a chance on me. It's not unusual these days for love to blossom after getting married."

Cedric scoffed, finding the idea ludicrous.

He burst into laughter, ready to retort that Daniela would never consent to such a plan. Marrying into wealth was the least of her concerns-she already had billions to her name.

The decision to marry was hers alone to make.

But before he could voice his thoughts, Huntley, still nibbling on his watermelon, muttered, "She agreed."

Cedric turned his head sharply, the smile frozen awkwardly on his face as if etched in place. "What did you just say?" he asked, disbelief tinting his voice.

Huntley's expression was the picture of innocence. "I said she agreed."

Cedric chuckled, disbelief morphing into amusement. "That's impossible, utterly impossible."

Huntley remained silent, his attention turned to leisurely enjoying his watermelon.

Often,silence served as a gentle nudge for the other to regain their composure.

Cedric's laughter faded, no longer able to mask his astonishment.

Huntley bowed his head, his fingers dancing across his phone's screen. "I'm just sending a message to my family,sharing this good..."

He paused midsentence as Cedric abruptly stood, the wooden chair screeching loudly against the floor as he pushed back.

Huntley turned just in time to catch a glimpse of Cedric's departing figure.

For a moment, Huntley sat stunned, then a soft smile played on his lips.

In their circle, if joy was to find a home with any of them, Huntley wished it would be with Cedric.