Chapter 656

Caiden walked through the front door with Joyce trailing behind him.

Daniela was already in the living room,eyes locked on the computer screen.

The air felt thick. Neither Caiden nor Joyce spoke.

Just as they were about to go back to their rooms,Daniela spoke in a clipped voice. "I've lined up evening events for you two for the next month. That's your window to find the person."

Caiden gave a quick nod,almost too eager

Being Daniela's father came with perks. At every banquet,he held the spotlight.

People lined up with fake smiles, each one more eager than the last.

He had forgotten how good it felt to be admired again.

Back then, it was Brylee who pulled him into that kind of life.

Now, it was Daniela. That kind of praise was like honey to him. He couldn't turn away.

Daniela looked up from her screen and stared at him."You'd better find the person soon. If you mess up,l won't let it slide."

Caiden's grin vanished.

Cedric stepped out from the kitchen, carrying a plate of fruit for Daniela.

Joyce's face lit up. "Cedric? What are you doing here?"

Time hadn't dimmed his charm. Even with that limp,he looked just as good.

She strutted over and smiled. "Cedric, I never stopped liking you."

Her lips puckered as she leaned close.

He froze, too stunned to move.

Before he could say a word, Daniela flung a book across the room. Joyce caught it without thinking.

"Not under my roof," Daniela said,her tone cold.

Joyce frowned. "Why not? You don't even want him.Can't I? He's wasted years waiting for you. What's the point?" Daniela didn't respond.

Just before disappearing into her room,Joyce tossed a look over her shoulder. "Cedric, my door's open tonight. Come if you want."

He pulled back, throwing a nervous glance Daniela's way.

She didn't even flinch. Her eyes stayed on the screen.Cedric crouched beside her. "I'm not going. The only door I'll knock on is yours."

Daniela tossed a fruit knife from the drawer onto the table. "Try it, and I promise you'll regret it."

Cedric didn't say a word.

Elite Lux carried on with its parade of glamor.

Every day, it hosted another show, luring crowds from every corner of the globe.

All day, Caiden checked people's hands. At night, he attended banquets and did the same thing.

His excitement burned out fast. Weariness took its place.

"Daniela, I need a break. I'm exhausted."

Daniela remained indifferent. "Not until you find the right person." He rubbed his temples. "What if I got it wrong? Maybe I made a mistake back then. It's been two weeks and no one matches the details."

The moment those words left his mouth, Daniela looked up. Her eyes locked onto him, cold as ice. "Say that again? Did you just say you were mistaken?"

Something dark flashed in her stare. Caiden felt his chest tighten.

"Are you sure you were mistaken?" she asked.

His throat went dry. "Forget I said anything. I'll keep looking!"

Jack was stretched out on the couch, flipping through TV channels. A man popped up on screen.

Jack jabbed his finger toward the TV. "Daddy!"

Joyce had asked Jack to call Cedric his daddy. Cedric had corrected him plenty of times, but the kid wouldn't budge.

Daniela glanced up, her brows drawing together. Then she froze.

The man on screen was giving an interview. He belonged to a powerful family in Oiscoll, and he looked uncannily like Cedric. Caiden had been heading out. The moment he caught wind of the broadcast, he turned back. "Wait.Cedric?On TV?"

And then, Caiden stood frozen.

Daniela assumed the resemblance had startled himntoo.

But to her surprise, he said, "Look at his hand!"