Chapter 508

The next day, as soon as Daniela stepped into her office,she immediately noticed something was off-the flowers Cedric had bought for her were gone.

Without hesitation, she called Lillian inside.

Lillian's brows furrowed. "Huh? But they were still here when we left last night. Let me check with the cleaning lady."

She hurried off to investigate, but when she asked around, the administration department delivered unexpected news-the cleaning lady had abruptly resigned, even refusing her half-month's salary.

That was strange.

Lillian quickly checked the surveillance footage and discovered the woman sneaking out of Daniela's office,clutching a large garbage sack.

"What would she want with the flowers?" Lillian asked in confusion.

Daniela sat motionless in her chair, the warmth in her expression replaced by an icy chill.

"I'm afraid it's not the flowers she's after, but the person."

Just as Lillian was about to ask what she meant, Cedric suddenly pushed the door open, carrying a fresh bunch of flowers.

"Where are the flowers from yesterday?" He glanced around, looking for them.

Daniela's lips curved into a faint smile. "The cleaning lady knocked them over this morning and took them out."

Cedric nodded in understanding."Okay."

He got to work arranging the new branch. Lillian leaned in and murmured under her breath, "Joyce?"

Daniela gave a firm nod."Yes."

Her tone remained steady as she instructed, "Keep a close watch on Joyce."

Just as the words left her lips, a knock sounded at the office door.

Richard stepped inside.

He looked noticeably older than before.

Worry had etched deep lines into his face, and with Alexander stilI missing, the weight of his troubles had only grown heavier.

The Bennett family had crumbled into bankruptcy, leaving Richard with just one last hope-Alexander.

"Daniela, I hate to trouble you, but have you heard anything about Alexander?" His voice carried a desperate edge.

Daniela studied him for a moment, her gaze settling on the gray streaks now threading through his hair.Then, in an even tone, she said, "Someone's seen him."

Richard's eyes lit up instantly. "Please... if you find anything,let me know."

Daniela gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Grateful, Richard bowed several times before making his way to the door.

He turned back for one last look at Daniela.

She had grown even more like Brylee-her face bright, her presence effortlessly radiant.

If only she were still his daughter-in-law.

If that were the case, Bennett Group wouldn't have collapsed.

Alexander wouldn't have vanished.

None of those terrible mistakes would have ever happened. If only life had a reset button...

But it didn't.

With that heavy truth weighing on him, Richard walked away in silence.

Suddenly, a strong hand yanked Richard around a corner.

Panic surged through him, and he nearly let out a scream-until he caught sight of the person gripping his arm. His eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"Cedric?".Confusion flickered across Richard's face. "What the hell are you doing? And why are you dressed like this?"

Cedric was nothing like before. On TV, he always dressed in a dignified suit, with a cold face that warned strangers to stay away.

But the man standing before him was dressed in black, with a hoodie pulled over his head and a baseball cap on top.

His face was deeply hidden under the brim.

If they weren't standing so close, Richard wouldn't have even known it was him.

"Take this money. Use it however you want." "Cedric" shoved a check for a million dollars into Richard's hand, his voice low and firm. "And forget you ever saw me."

Richard froze, staring at the check in stunned silence. "Why are you giving me money?"

"Cedric" turned to leave, but Richard grabbed his wrist. "If you don't explain, I'm not taking a cent."

Richard tried to shove the money into his hands. In the struggle, he caught sight of the birthmark behind the other man's ear.

"Alexander?" Richard's breath hitched as his eyes widened in sheer shock. He gripped the man's arm even harder,his voice cracking with raw disbelief."Alexander, is that you?"

At the sound of his name, Alexander's steps faltered. Richard's entire body shook, his breath coming in shallow gasps. His fingers twitched at his sides, barely able to grasp the reality before him.

"Is it really you? What happened to you? Have you been suffering all this time?"

Alexander hesitated, then slowly reached up and pulled off his cap. The dim light revealed his face--identical to Cedric's.

"Dad, trust me. I'll turn everything around. I made mistakes with Daniela before, but once I have wealth beyond measure, I'll repay her a thousand times over. For now,take this. It won't be long before | corne home for good."

Richard's eyes burned red. He nodded repeatedly, his grip tightening around the check. "Alrighnt.I will wait for you.You and Daniela will come home together, and we'll finally live like a family again."

Alexander pulled his cap back on and slipped into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.

When he returned, Joyce was still seated, absentmindedly toying with the flowers.

"Just ignore the flowers, Joyce. Isn't Cedric the one you really want?" I've thought of a way."

Joyce didn't bite immediately. She merely twirled a petal between her fingers, watching it as if deep in thought. There was no rush. Daniela had three days to consider the partnership. A deal that profitable-she wouldn't refuse.

Once it was set in motion, she would have all the time in the world to be by Cedric's side.

Love cultivated under the right circumstances would last. That was her belief.

Now that there was no marriage to bind her, she had every opportunity to make him hers.

Alexander studied her coldly, seeing right through her schemes. "Men are easily enamored before marriage.Even after marriage, some still stray. But if a child is involved, that changes everything."

He leaned back against the sofa, his gaze sharp. "People have been saying Daniela and Cedric were planning for a baby. Who knows? Maybe she's already carrying his child." Joyce's fingers stiffened against the petals. Then, her eyes turned cold, filled with malice. "What was the plan you just mentioned?"

Daniela rested her chin on her palm, her gaze lingering on Cedric as he arranged the flowers.

Suddenly, her phone on the desk vibrated violently.

She reached for it without much thought, answering casually.

Russell's voice came through, tight with urgency. "Daniela, someone put out a hit in the underground network. Ten billion dollars-for Cedric."