Chapter 243

Alexander's head spun with a reckless abandon, oblivious to the curious stares piercing through the crowded room. He extended his hand towards Daniela, his voice laced with a hopeful desperation."Would you grant me the pleasure? It's merely a dance."

Cedric's complexion turned ghostly. "Alexander, don't provoke me into violence right here! You're Joyce's husband.Do you realize the whirlwind of rumors and trouble your invitation could spawn for Daniela?"

Alexander was fully aware. Yet, at that moment, he couldn't care less. He yearned to dance with Daniela,a desire so fervent he felt he'd pay any price for just one dance.

"Sorry, I'm not looking for another dance partner tonight," Daniela responded, her voice steady and unwavering. She offered an apologetic nod, but her expression remained resolute, devoid of genuine regret.

"Why?" Alexander pushed, unwilling to let the matter drop.

Daniela didn't bother with another reply; instead, she tugged on Cedric's sleeve and said, "Let's go."

Alexander caught the subtle interaction, his heart splintering in silent agony. "When you chased after me before, you weren't this attached. Daniela, are you with Cedric now?"

Daniela remained silent, her grip on Cedric's hand firm as they turned to leave.

Alexander stood abandoned in the center of the dance floor, his heart turning to ice.

Daniela had chosen Cedric. He wanted desperately to tell her,"1fyou still harbor any old feelings,I would divorce Joyce for you."

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But the opportunity slipped through his fingers.

Or perhaps, Daniela no longer held any space for him in her heart.①

Alexander felt the weight of the surrounding gazes, and a profound sadness enveloped him. Had Daniela truly written him off? Off to the side, Joyce took a bitter sip from her drink, her lips curling into a grim smile. Alexander was indeed regretting it.

Alexander exited the celebration from the dance floor and headed straight to a bar.

Joyce's car lurked at the bar's entrance.

She waited like a predator in the shadows until she saw Alexander being propped up by his secretary, drunk and unsteady. Only then did she emerge from her car.

The secretary was taken aback. "Mrs. Bennett, what brings you here?"

As Joyce maneuvered Alexander towards her car, the secretary intervened hastily. "Mr. Bennett asked to be taken back to the company."

Joyce shot the secretary a frosty glare. "What company? Alexander is married to me. It's my call where he spends the night."

The secretary's anxiety peaked. "This isn't right. Mr. Bennett explicitly said to take him to the company's lounge. Please don't complicate this. If he wakes and realizes I didn't follow his directions, I'll be in a tight spot."

Joyce was unmoved by the plea. She forcefully pushed Alexander into her car, climbed in, and without a moment's hesitation, sped off into the night.

The secretary gasped, "This is not good!"

It was well-known that since his marriage, Alexander hadn't shared a bed with Joyce. Now, in his inebriated state, he wouldn't even recognize if the person beside him was Joyce or someone else.

The secretary wasted no time and rang up Richard.

Richard blurted out, "This is bad!" He then called Joyce.

But Joyce was unreachable.

She had not only powered down her own phone but also Alexander's. She whisked Alexander away to a friend's secluded villa and ushered him into the bathroom.

In his muddled state, Alexander thought he saw Daniela.

His voice cracked as he called out, "Daniela?"

Joyce lifted her gaze, a sly chuckle escaping her lips, and murmured,"γes."