Chapter 157

After Cedric had gone, Katrina sat inside, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "Daniela, just look at your father now, lying there like this. And all that money overseas..."

Daniela cast a glance at Caiden, lying in the bed with his mouth slack on one side. Her tone stayed even."That's not what matters right now."

She knew that if she pushed Katrina too hard, the woman might very well resort to killing Caiden.

Daniela's goal was to make Katrina expose herself-not to start fighting over the inheritance yet.

Hearing her response, Katrina couldn't hide the flicker of delight that lit up her face. She bobbed her head eagerly. "Yes, exactly! That's what family is allabout,Daniela. Blood is thicker than water, after all. I knew you still cared for your father. So regarding the villa..."

Daniela cut her off mid-sentence, her voice unwavering. "I'll arrange for someone to sell it."

Katrina's cheerful expression faltered. She forced an uneasy laugh. "Daniela, isn't it a little inappropriate to sell your father's villa while he's still unconscious?We don't even know when he'll regain consciousness.There's no urgency here. His belongings aren't going anywhere,are they?"

Despite her calm words, Katrina's thoughts were whirling. She had already begun contacting potential buyers for the villa, planning to funnel the money into a hidden account where Daniela would never trace it.

If her scheme unraveled, Katrina figured she could always pin the blame on Caiden and let him take the fall.

For now, she took Daniela's hospital visit as a sign that she still had some concern for her father.

Katrina had thought everything through, sure that Daniela would go along with her plan. But Daniela's reaction completely threw her off.

"Is that villa Caiden's own property? It was bought with the company's money. As the main shareholder,I have every right to manage it. What makes that wrong?"

At Daniela's biting response, Katrina's fists tightened in anger."Yes,but-"

Before she finish, Daniela interrupted, her voice turning icier. "Or do you expect me to handle the overseas assets as well?" The mention of foreign assets made Katrina's face contort with an involuntary twitch. "Fine. If you insist,go ahead. The villa isn't really worth much anyway. If the company needs the money, then..."

Her voice was composed, but inside,Katrina was seething with fury. Daniela! This scheming woman!

"But the villa is a huge property, and as a young woman,you might find it difficult to manage the sale.Alexander is here today, and you trust him,don't you?Why not let him take care of it for you? Doesn't that sound better?"

Katrina's plan was straightforward. If Alexander took charge,she could control the timing.

He could drag things out long enough for her to sell the villa and move the money before Daniela even noticed.

Alexander had remained silently in the corner,observing.

Katrina turned to him, flashing a sweet smile."Alexander, I'm afraid this will be a bit of a burden for you. Daniela trusts you implicitly, and if I handled it,she wouldn't feel comfortable."

Alexander nodded slightly, his tone collected and professional. "Of course, leave it to me. Bennett Group specializes in real estate, so selling a villa is no problem. Since both you and Daniela trust me, I'll..."

Before he could finish, a voice as cold and sharp as a blade interrupted him. "I don't trust him."

Alexander froze, his unfinished sentence hanging in the air. Slowly, he turned to face Daniela. "What did you just say?"

Daniela repeated her words, emphasizing each one."I said, I don't trust Alexander to handle this."