Chapter 165
Cedric thought back to how Lilian always teased Ryan with that playful, almost innocent charm.
Without any trace of hesitation or shame, he fixed his cool gaze on Daniela's eyes and said the last thing she expected to hear. "I'm begging you!"
The driver overheard and, by accident, honked the horn several times.
The sharp honking echoed through the quiet underground parking lot.
Cedric, throwing all caution to the wind, added with a wry smile, "Now even the driver's laughing at me.How am I supposed to face people if you don't agree?"
Daniela watched him, unfazed by his supposed embarrassment, his cool demeanor still firmly in place.
With a sigh, she finally gave in. "Alright, let's set some rules."
Cedric's face brightened, his excitement obvious. "Sure."
Daniela started, "First, if you're coming along, you're just my bodyguard. Unless I'm in real danger, you'll be out of sight."
"Deal!" Cedric agreed instantly.
"Second, if I decide it's time for you to leave the house, you'll listen to me and leave."
Cedric's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why?"
Daniela's tone grew firm. "Third, no guestions asked."
Cedric was momentarily at a loss for words.
Without waiting for him to respond, Daniela slid into the car. "If you agree, get in. You've got five minutes to make up your mind-" Before she could finish her sentence, the door was already open, and Cedric slipped in.
The familiar scent of Cedric's cologne filled the air, replacing the cold tension between them.
As Daniela arrived at the Harper family's residence, she found Joyce and Katrina already waiting for her.
With a forced smile, Katrina greeted her. "Daniela, I've got good news. Your father is awake. I told him you were moving back, and he insisted on being discharged. He's waitingfor you inside now."
Daniela wasn't surprised in the least. She curved her lips into a faint smile and replied, "Really? The hospital must be quite something.Someone who couldn't wake up yesterday is discharged today. I'm curious if it's due to the doctors' skill or something else."
Katrina's smile stiffened, but Joyce, oblivious as usual, furrowed her brow."Daniela, what are you getting at? Shouldn't you be happy that Dad's awake? Or do you secretly wish something had happened to him, so you could take control of the Harper family's fortune?"
"Shouldn't I?" Daniela asked with a faint smile. "Harper Group was entirely built by my mother. This land you're standing on? It was my mother's villa, purchased with her own money. Joyce, you should be thankful I'm showing any kindness at all. If not, you'd have been out of here ages ago."
Joyce stood frozen, taken aback. In her memory, Daniela rarely spoke out, let alone argued, except for that one outburst at the hospital.
"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Joyce muttered under her breath.
Daniela didn't even bother to respond. She reached for her luggage, only to find Cedric already carrying it for her.
Katrina figured Cedric was only there to drop Daniela off.
Daniela moved ahead with Cedric right behind her,while Katrina and Joyce followed, their heads bowed.
Once inside, Daniela instructed the servants to place Cedric's luggage in the guest room before heading upstairs.
Fresh out of the hospital, Caiden was so furious at Daniela's coldness that he almost needed emergency assistance.
A short time later, Daniela descended the stairs and, with icy calm, addressed the trio seated in the living room."Why did my room become a nursery?"
Before anyone could respond, Caiden exploded, breathless with anger. "Daniela, why did you bring Cedric here to stay in the guest room? Are you trying to use him as a weapon against me?"
"You're overreacting. Do I really need Cedric to handle you? He's just a friend, visiting for a few days. What's wrong with that?" Without giving anyone a chance to reply, Daniela went on, "Since my room has turned into a nursery, I won't take it back from the baby. Joyce, your bedroom has the best light, so I'll take that room instead."
Hearing that, Katrina sprang to her feet. "Absolutely not!"