Chapter 705

Lately, Daniela had been showing up at the office less often.

Natalie was making a bomb. Daniela's presence at the company could pose a risk.

She had a strong feeling that Natalie's planned explosion would happen within a day or two.

What she didn't see coming was Alexander showing up at that exact moment.

She was at the gate, walking her dog, when Alexander stepped out of his car and walked toward her.

Daniela had intentionally pulled back security at the gate to allow Natalie through, but running into Alexander hadn't been part of the plan.

"Daniela." Alexander rushed over, clearly uneasy. "There's something I need to explain."

Cradling her dog in her arms, Daniela settled onto a chair beside the garden table. "I really ddon't think there's anything left for us to talk about."

Right after she spoke, Daniela noticed an unfamiliar car slowly pulling into view.

Her focus shifted completely to the vehicle approaching.

"Daniela, are you even paying attention to what I'm saying?"

Daniela gave Alexander a quick look. "You should go. I've got a few things to handle today."

"No!" Alexander's tone sharpened with frustration. "I need to explain everything. There's been too much confusion between us. If I don't clear it up now, you'll keep thinking the worst of me, and we'll never fix this!"

Daniela listened to him with quiet frustration, feeling cornered.

She sighed and said, "There's nothing to misunderstand. I really don't have time for this today."

Far off, Natalie appeared to notice the presence of someone and chose to remain inside the car,not stepping out.

Caught up in his own emotions, Alexander didn't notice that Daniela wasn't even focused on him.

He went on, "Just hear me out. I never meant to work with McCoy Group. I know they're after you and Cedric. I don't care about Cedric, but if they're coming for you, I won't stand by and let that happen. This deal between Bennett Group and McCoy Group is all a big misunderstanding. I'll go back and end it. Daniela,I lost you once. I'm not making that mistake again. I won't give you up over business or money. Daniela,l meant every word when I said I'd give my life for you."

Right after he stopped talking, Alexander felt the presence of someone quickly moving towards them.

Whoever it was, they were closing in faster by the second.

Alexander turned and saw Natalie, the woman who should've still been behind bars.

She was sprinting toward them, clutching a bomb tightly in her arms.

Alexander's eyes flew wide in disbelief as cold sweat instantly formed on his forehead.

The very next moment, he saw Natalie yank the detonator cord from the bomb with no hesitation.

Acting purely on instinct, Alexander turned and bolted without looking back.

Daniela flashed throughhis mind, but there was nothing he could do except keep running.

Daniela watched with an icy stare as the man who had just vowed to die for her now ran off faster than a missile launch.

A faint laugh escaped her lips. She knew men's promises were nothing but empty words.

In the midst of her thoughts, a sudden force grabbed her and hurled her to the ground.

Daniela froze, her senses overwhelmed. She caught a familiar scent, then felt the weight of a body shielding hers.

Her head found rest against a solid chest. The rhythmic thump of a heart reverberated in her ear, loud like a drumbeat.

Daniela lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting Cedric's jawline, taut with tension.

"It's okay," Daniela whispered. "The explosives in the bomb were swapped with flour."

Cedric froze for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked down at her.

The fear and panic hadn't completely left his face, and his heartbeat remained uneven and wild.

"Are you sure?" Cedric asked, his doubt clear in his voice.

Daniela gave a nod, her voice firm. "Yes, and if you doubt me, just look at her."

Cedric turned his head and saw Natalie being restrained by Carol.

A deep sigh of relief escaped him, as cold sweat trickled from his forehead, landing on Daniela's hand.

The touch was cool, a stark contrast to the heat of his panic.

Fear gripped him, raw and undeniable.

In the face of danger, fear was a natural response for anyone.

Yet despite his fear, Cedric had charged forward without a second thought, placing himself between her and the threat.

Daniela couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise.

In that moment, she realized that Cedric's feelings for her might run deeper than she had imagined.