Chapter 736

Daniela rose from her chair. Cedric stood as well,instinctively mirroring her.

Daniela waved him off. "I don't need a bodyguard. Sit your butt down and peel me some shrimps-I'll be back to eat them."

Cedric could only obey, sinking back into his seat with a small sigh of surrender.

Just as Daniela turned to leave, Charles sneered at Cedric, his tone dripping with mockery. "Weren't you the one looking down on me not too long ago? And now look at you-following her orders without question. Seriously, Cedric, is she really worth turning into her loyal little servant?"

Before Cedric could respond, Daniela whipped her head around and fixed Charles with a cold, cutting glare. "Shut up," she snapped. Charles shut his mouth immediately. Daniela tossed Cedric a firm look. "Don't move."

Then, without another word, she strode off in Hamilton's direction.

As soon as she was out of range, Charles exhaled hard and slumped in his chair, poking at his plate like a sulking child.

The moment his fork aimed for the shrimps, Cedric pulled the entire plate toward him, claiming it like a prize.

The message was loud and clear-back off.

"Cedric, come on. Do you really have to play the loyal lapdog?" Charles looked baffled. "We're brothers,remember? Can't youI give me just one shrimp?"

Without looking up, Cedric peeled 'another shrimp."Ask Hamilton if you're that desperate."

Charles clamped his mouth shut, silenced.

Hamilton gazed out at the rolling waves. "Daniela,you're no fool. People with your intellect don't waste time with niceties. The wise always recognize which road leads to the greatest gain."

Daniela met his gaze without flinching. Through the glass, she spotted Cedric, quietly peeling shrimps with full concentration.

She knew this about Cedric-whatever he did, he poured himself into it completely.

She answered evenly, "Then I guess I'm not as clever as you think, because I haven't a clue which path you believe is right for me."

Hamilton's smile faded just slightly-he never liked when people didn't bow to his authority.

People with too much fire in their spirit always clashed with control and Daniela was the embodiment of defiance.

"Very well," Hamilton said smoothly. "If that's how you want it, I'll get straight to the point-I'm selecting a successor."

As he spoke, Hamilton's eyes stayed locked on Daniela,searching her face for the slightest flicker of greed or ambition.

But in the end, he saw nothing.

Her expression remained unchanged-cool,unreadable, like a still pond hiding its depth.

Hamilton's patience thinned, and a chill entered his voice. "At first, I planned to choose from my five sons. But now that Cedric's stepped out of the shadows, I'm offering him a place in the running."

His tone rose like a man used to being obeyed, crisp with authority and entitlement.

Daniela met his gaze without flinching.

Hamilton pressed on, "The terms are clear. Cedric must return to the family fold, take the McCoy name,and step into his rightful place among us. From that moment, he'll fall under my guidance. Whether he ascends to the top depends entirely on his own merit."

Daniela's stare was frosted glass. "Why are you saying all this to me? It's got nothing to do with me."

Hamilton's eyes drifted toward Cedric.

From the second Hamilton walked in, Cedric hadn't looked his way-not even once. It was obvious Cedric had no intention of calling him his father.

"You and he are on different paths," Hamilton remarked. "Your views are worlds apart. You understand the power and prestige that comes with being the richest person on earth. You should let him know-this kind of opportunity doesn't come around often. It's not something anyone can claim just by wishing for it. I'm aware he takes your words to heart.If you speak, he'll follow your every command."

It was plain to Hamilton now-Cedric was hopelessly smitten. Daniela was the axis his world spun around.

Hamilton continued, "If Cedric becomes part of our family, it works to your advantage as well, doesn't it?So, why else would you travel all the way to Oiscoll?You're not the type to get involved unless there's something for you to gain. I know what you're looking into. If you convince Cedric to join the McCoy family, I'll secure you a position on McCoy Group's board and make you one of the key decision-makers. What do you think?"

Hamilton believed he'd laid down an offer too tempting for anyone to refuse.

After all, in his mind, this was why she had come to Oiscoll in the first place.