Chapter 327

Alexander had never anticipated the icy chill in Daniela's demeanor towards him.

He was in a daze for a long time, his expression vacant.

Even as he walked out of the villa, he still hadn't come to his senses.

It wasn't until someone suddenly gave him a hard pull that he snapped back to reality.

It was Katrina, her face etched with indignation, her voice a fiery burst of anger. "Daniela's a fucking monster. There's no line she won't cross!"

Feeling a pang of heartache, Alexander struggled to compose himself.

His thoughts were too scattered to entertain Katrina's grievances, and just as he turned to leave, she stepped in, cutting him off. "If you walk away now, you're sealing your fate."

Alexander built his life on pride, but today, he felt the bitter sting of humiliation as if someone had torn it from him. "Why should I even bother staying? She's made it clear she wants nothing to do with me."

Katrina offered a thin, almost mocking smile. "So that's it? You're just giving up? Remember how Daniela fought for you once? Where's your resolve now? Think it over. If you go now, there's no coming back-this is the end for you and Daniela."

A bitter taste filled his mouth, but the memory of Daniela's unwavering support despite his silent treatment sparked a flicker of warmth in his weary heart. "What do you suggest I do?"

Katrina's eyes glinted with a mix of resolve and strategy."There's a guest wing near the villa, with five vacant rooms. Stay there with us. It's a start."

Without hesitation, Alexander nodded. "Fine." Katrina tilted her head slightly and insisted, "You need to be more patient. Otherwise, why would she be drawn to you? Besides, you were in the wrong before. Swallowing a bit of pride won't kill you."

Alexander turned away, his gaze drifting towards the brightly-lit villa in the distance.

A determined spark flickered in his eyes as he silently vowed that one day, Daniela would personally invite him to take his place there.

When Cedric returned, his first encounter was with Alexander.

"Cedric, what's the deal between you and Daniela now?"

Alexander's heart thudded faintly, haunted by the nagging fear that they might already be married,and he needed to confirm his suspicions.

"Why are you here?" Cedric asked instead of answering his question.

The directness of his question threw Alexander off balance. He remembered a time when Cedric never had the confidence he was showing now. This newfound assertiveness, as if he had already claimed both Daniela and the villa as his own, unnerved Alexander.

"Are you two dating?" Alexander asked. "Or are you just..."

Before he could get another word in, Daniela pushed open the door and stepped outside.

She glanced at the two men standing side by side,her eyebrow arching inquisitively. "I've got to go to work. Now that you're back, why don't you rest for a bit?"

Cedric had returned after cramming two days' worth of work into just a day and a half.

He simply nodded, watching as Daniela strode towards the parking lot, her steps in sync with Lillian's.

The moment Cedric stepped back into the villa, Alexander bolted outside, chasing after Daniela's fading presence.

Alexander only managed to catch up with Daniela once she had already arrived at the company.

"Daniela, Cedric already told me about everything,"he declared, blocking her path.

Daniela eyed him with a blend of fatigue and indifference. "If you find yourself with this much free time, perhaps you should invest it in your own company's affairs."

Alexander locked eyes with her, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Cedric told me you two are just that kind of relationship."

Her expression unchanging, Daniela responded evenly, "And what kind would that be?"

"You two are merely sexual partners."

A soft chuckle escaped her. "Well, if that's what he's told you, then I suppose you have your answer." As she spoke, Alexander's mind scrambled to weave this new information into his narrative of her-Daniela, ever the romantic obsessive.

Once, she had been hopelessly entangled with him;now, it seemed, she was in love with Cedric.

Comforted by this thought, his initial worries began to dissolve.

"Daniela, I understand you're a mature woman now,but such fleeting relationships seldom last. Marriage offers more stability."

Daniela eyed Alexander with incredulity, her gaze sharp as if sizing up a man who'd lost his sense.

Alexander, always keen to assume the role of the wise mentor, now basked in a newfound sense of superiority, knowing Daniela had unfulfilled desires.

With a grandiose flourish, he posed a question,draped in an air of generosity. "Have you ever considered that perhaps I might be a better fit for you than Cedric?" Amused by his audacity, Daniela quirked an eyebrow."A better fit for what, exactly?"

Frustration flickered across Alexander's face, his patience fraying as he mistakenly thought Daniela was feigning ignorance. "For an intimate relationship.I believe I'm far more suited for you than Cedric.We'd be remarkably compatible."

Daniela's response was a sarcastic sneer, her amusement turning to disdain. "Let me get this straight-you just trashed this kind of relationship,and now you're eagerly signing up for it? Are you always this full of shit?"

At her sharp words, Alexander's cheeks flushed a bright red. "Yes, but that doesn't apply to me.Daniela, we've been in each other's lives for what feels like forever. You know the kind of man I am.l would never harm you or use you for my own gains.Moreover, entering into this kind of relationship could be our stepping stone to something more permanent, like marriage."

He straightened, his voice taking on a tone of benevolence. "And let's not forget, I'm willing to overlook your past with Cedric. But should we move forward together, I expect you to show the same integrity and not entertain his advances anymore."

Daniela's laughter echoed in the crisp morning air,unrestrained and clear. "Hearing you talk like this-it's almost like listening to a comedian at work."