Chapter 365

Cedric turned on his heel and walked away as soon as he finished speaking.

Nina stood rooted to the spot,her gaze fixed on his retreating figure.

"Well, what did I tell you? Someone like you could never capture the interest of a man like Cedric!" Elyse showed up beside Nina, her face calm and completely unsurprised. "Men like him? They're drawn to women who shine, not ones who stumble in their shadow.You'd do better waiting for Daniela to come back-save yourself the embarrassment."

Nina bit her lower lip, her fists curling tightly at her sides.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Elyse with sadness. "Mom, do you really think I'm destined to fail at everything? Am I always inferio to Natalie in your eyes?"

Elyse's response was cold and cutting,her calmness cruel. "Isn't the proof right there? You're not just a disappointment to me, Nina. Even Cedric thinks so." With that,Elyse turned away and left.

Nina stayed behind, her shoulders trembling as tears spilled freely.

Silently,she made a vow-a vow to prove everyone wrong, to show them that she wasn't just Natalie's lesser sister.

Later that evening, Daniela returned home, leaving Dark Night to her subordinates to handle.

At the villa's entrance, Caiden was waiting. The moment he saw Daniela approaching, his words tumbled out. "The police said Katrina was stabbed to death."

As Caiden spoke, he carefully studied Daniela. "You don't seem surprised," he ventured cautiously,his voice tinged with unease.

Truth be told, Caiden was scared.

Daniela's gaze flicked over him, his emotions plainly written across his face.

She slipped off her shoes and asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Caiden swallowed hard. There was something about her-a quiet menace that simmered just beneath the surface. Usually well-concealed, today it seemed more apparent, now bubbling closer to the top. "I don't mean anything by it. I just hope you don't get the wrong idea," he replied, avoiding her gaze.

Daniela let out a soft chuckle. "The wrong idea about what?"

He flinched at her tone. "I know you never liked Katrina. You always thought there was something suspicious about your mother's death."

Caiden was eager to distance himself from the situation. "But I swear, whatever happened,I wasn't involved. It had nothing to do with me!"

His gaze was fixed on Daniela, as he waited for her reaction.

Daniela entered the room and poured herself a glass of water. "Is that so? You're absolutely certain it has nothing to do with you?"

Caiden's eyes went wide with shock in an instant.

Daniela turned her head slowly, her clear, steady gaze locking with his. "Do you think Katrina had something to do with my mother's death? And who do you believe is responsible for Katrina's murder?"

Daniela let out a low chuckle, her tone laced with audacity. "Or is it that you think I killed Katrina?"

Her words came out with unnerving candor. Caiden froze, caught off guard by her bluntness. He had expected evasion, maybe deflection-not this direct confrontation. His eyes darted nervously, guilt flickering. "I don't know. All I know is that it has nothing to do with me. If you're planning to stir up trouble, don't drag me into it."

Without waiting for a reply, Caiden spun on his heel,intent on fleeing the suffocating tension.

But he hadn't taken more than a few steps when Daniela's voice echoed behind him. "You can't outrun the consequences of your actions."

The words hit him like a blow to the back, forcing him to halt.

A shiver crawled down his spine as he stood frozen in place. Slowly, almost unwillingly,he turned around.

What he saw made his blood turn to ice. Daniela stood with unwavering confidence, her arms raised, hands mimicking the shape of a gun.

At that precise moment, a gust of wind barreled through the hallway, slamming the door shut with a deafening bang. The sound reverberated like a gunshot, perfectly accentuating her mock gesture.

His breath hitched, and the chill of terror settled deep into his bones as Daniela's smile widened. He stood there, rooted to the spot,words failing him as dread coursed through his veins.

Without another glance, Daniela turned and strode gracefully into the house.

When Cedric returned later that evening, he found Daniela already home.

"You're back," Daniela greeted him, her smile warm and composed.

Cedric lingered by the doorway. "You came home earlier than I expected."

"Yes. The banquet was draining. I needed some time to myself."

Cedric stood at the door, quietly watching Daniela.After a moment, he stepped inside. "Katrina is dead.Did you hear about it?"

Daniela nodded. "I saw it on the news."

"You don't seem surprised," Cedric observed.

Daniela's smile didn't falter. "Why should I be? I was there when it happened. I saw everything unfold with my own eyes. Isn't it natural that I wouldn't be shocked?"

"This doesn't add up," he replied.