Chapter 364

Surprisingly, Cedric's focus was elsewhere, and he seemed irritated by Nina blocking his path.

Nina briefly shut her eyes,wondering if something was wrong with Cedric's sight.

How else could he resist her appeal?

Nina took a deep breath, and just as Cedric was about to turn and walk away, she let out a soft, dramatic "Oh dear!"

Her plan was for Cedric to turn around, and then she'd pretend to faint.

But unfortunately, Cedic didn't even look back and just kept walking. Nina gritted her teeth and fake-fell to the ground.

This time, her "Oh dear!" was much louder, enough to catch Cedric's attention. He turned around, but his expression was one of clear impatience.

Nina brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and said in a sad tone, "Cedric, I twisted my ankle. Could you help me up?" She raised her arms and pouted. Cedric paused for a moment. "You, take her back to the Dury family," he ordered, looking at his bodyguard.

Nina was shocked.

Before she could protest, the strong bodyguard crouched down and picked her up.

Nina cried out, quickly jumping out of the bodyguard's hold. "I think I'm fine now. My ankle's better."

Cedric shot her an irritated look before walking off,still searching for Daniela.

Nina had no care for what happened to Daniela.

She kept pace with Cedric, her voice soft yet persistent. "Cedric, you've been walking for more than half an hour. Aren't you tired? How about we take a break at this hotel?"

Nina made the suggestion, but seeing Cedric remain unaffected, she pushed further. "Cedric, you really don't have to worry. Daniela is strong, almost like a man. She probably went home. There's a nice cafe nearby. Let me buy you coffee."

Nina couldn't help but admire Cedric's striking profile,made even more captivating by the glow of the night lights.

Her heart fluttered with desire, and without thinking, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve. In a soft,teasing tone, she said, "Cedric, could you slow down a little? You're walking so fast, I can hardly keep up."

Cedric was anxious and frustrated.

He had a short temper, and Nina's constant attempts to get close had drained all his patience.

He suddenly spun around and looked at Nina coldly,who was staring at him with longing eyes.

His voice was cold as he asked, "What do you want?"

Nina bit her lip, replying, "Don't you know what I want?"

She reached out playfully, trying to touch Cedric's chest, but he stepped back to avoid her.

"I really don't," he answered, his voice distant.

Nina cast her eyes down, her voice gentle and alluring."I understand your feelings for Daniela, but the truth is,she's only focused on her work. If she cared about you,she wouldn't have kept you waiting all this time.Cedric, I've had feelings for you for so long. Don't you notice me? When I was younger, my aunt always said I resembled Daniela a lot. People used to think we were twins. I care about you, Cedric, and I'm not bothered by the idea of being the one you lean on when she's out of reach. I don't mind at all." She took a step closer. Nina's words came from the heart, and soon, tears began to fall.

People passing by glanced over, pitying the delicate woman.

"Do you really think you can compare to Daniela?"

Nina believed her honesty would touch Cedric, but instead,he gave her a cold and dismissive reply.

She was taken aback. "Cedric, Daniela doesn't feel the same way about you. No matter how much you try,you're just another one of her admirers. She enjoys the attention, but she won't treat you like a boyfriend.Can't you see that? You're just a backup to her. The moment someone else catches her eye, she'll leave you behind."

Cedric answered bluntly, "Is that so? I'm fine being a backup. I'm happy to be Daniela's backup forever."

Nina's face darkened at his words. "What did you just say? Cedric, are you out of your mind? You're the wealthiest man in the country, the one every woman dreams of. You should be soaking up their admiration,and yet you're willing to settle as Daniela's backup?That's insane."

Cedric was nothing if not direct.

When it came to relationships, he was careful, always Nina's words came from the heart, and soon, tears began to fall.

People passing by glanced over, pitying the delicate woman.

"Do you really think you can compare to Daniela?"

Nina believed her honesty would touch Cedric, but instead, he gave her a cold and dismissive reply.

She was taken aback. "Cedric, Daniela doesn't feel the same way about you. No matter how much you try,you're just another one of her admirers. She enjoys the attention, but she won't treat you like a boyfriend.Can't you see that? You're just a backup to her. The moment someone else catches her eye, she'll leave you behind."

Cedric answered bluntly, "Is that so? I'm fine being a backup. I'm happy to be Daniela's backup forever."

Nina's face darkened at his words. "What did you just say? Cedric, are you out of your mind? You're the wealthiest man in the country, the one every woman dreams of. You should be soaking up their admiration,and yet you're willing to settle as Daniela's backup?That's insane."

Cedric was nothing if not direct. When it came to relationships, he was careful, always keeping a respectful distance from women.

He never hesitated to make his rejections clear.

"Yes, I'm okay with being Daniela's backup, but I don't need a replacement. No one can replace her, not in this world. You might look like her in some ways,but you have to understand, beauty goes beyond appearance. There's something about Daniela that you'll never have. You might seem similar on the outside, but inside? It's a whole different story. You'll never match her, not now, not ever. Do you get it?|can't stand anyone but Daniela getting close to me,touching me, or trying to please me. It makes me sick!And I won't tolerate a single word spoken against her in my presence. From now on, stay away from me.And don't call me Cedric. Call me Mr. Phillips,understood?"

Without another word, he turned and walked away, his back cold and unyielding.

Nina was left standing there, stunned, trying to process what she had just heard.

After everything she had done, Cedric rejected her so decisively, without a care for how it made her feel.