Chapter 722

Daniela blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected question.

Carol frowned slightly and slipped away without a sound.

Daniela turned to Cedric, confusion etched across her face. "Where exactly are we going?"

Cedric answered with a grin, "Oiscoll, obviously.We're going to fight for the inheritance, aren't we?"

He beamed as he spoke, carefree and untouched by worry for what lay ahead.

He'd never set foot in Oiscoll, knew nothing of Hamilton or the tangled web of schemes spun within the McCoy family.

All he had was trust in Daniela-and the unwavering belief that her path was his to walk too. No strategy, no pros and cons checklist-just a heart unburdened by doubt.

Even if the road ahead was wrapped in fog, he faced it without flinching.

Daniela shut her eyes, wanting to tell her the truth,but in the end, she remained silent.

Cedric chuckled, his grin as radiant and effortless as sunlight through glass.

The sunlight kissed his face, sharpening his striking features and casting him in a glow of quiet resolve.

"Just say the word when you're ready. I'll pack up and we'll go," Cedric said, then darted off toward his room, light-footed and eager.

Joyce stood off to the side, a flicker of sympathy passing through her. In this home where she barely felt seen, her only prayer was that her son would grow up soon.

Listening in now and then on Cedric and Daniela, she often felt like little more than a machine, just going through the motions.

Watching Cedric's joy today stirred a quiet ache in her chest-she felt sorry for him.

After all, once upon a time, she had feelings for him.

She turned to Daniela with a warning. "If you leave him behind, it might break his heart."

Daniela shot a glance in Joyce's direction.

Joyce went on, "Sorry, I had to say it. I truly think it's alright for you to take him with you. Just because the past was messy doesn't mean the future has to be.Why make it harder than it needs to be?"

Daniela shifted her gaze back to the TV. "I'm fine.He'll move on fast."

Joyce studied Daniela's detached expression and let out a quiet sigh. "Just make sure you won't regret it later."

Daniela stared ahead, unmoved.

Joyce lowered her voice. "Those who love hard can't stand being dumped. He may look soft, but he's not weak. If you really leave him, I'm afraid when all this settles and you want to get back together with him,he might never come back."

After a pause, Joyce added, "A lot of people fool themselves into thinking they matter more than they do, but the world doesn't spin around anyone's ego.No one's going to wait around forever-especially/not when they've been pushed aside on purpose. So think hard. Miss this shot, and you might never find someone who loves you the way Cedric does."

As the words left her mouth, Joyce caught sight of Cedric standing quietly at the top of the stairs.

She let out a soft sigh and fell silent.

Daniela kept her eyes on the TV, her face unreadable,but no one noticed a brief flicker in her gaze.

Later that evening, Nikolas stormed in to confront Daniela, his voice sharp and brimming with anger."So you're really siding with Charles to take me down?" he snapped.

Daniela, in no mood for a fight, shot back with cold irritation. "Take you down? What makes you think you're even worth the effort?"

Nikolas nearly exploded. "What's that supposed to mean? The McCoy family is the richest on the planet and you dare act arrogant with me?"

Daniela fixed him with an icy stare. "It might be the richest family in the world, but don't kid yourself-you don't speak for them. I'm certain your father,Hamilton, sees the value in what I bring to the table.I have every reason to be confident. What about you?What do you have?"

Rage swelled in Nikolas, but no words came.

After a while, he spat, "You can't do this! The McCoy legacy should be mine! If it weren't for you and Cedric, I'd already have it!"

Fury crackled off him like static.

Daniela didn't waste another breath. She turned and walked away. She had barely taken a few steps when Nikolas shouted after her, "Whatever you want, name it! It's yours!"

Unlike his brothers, Nikolas spoke through gritted teeth.

Daniela glanced over her shoulder, a faint, chilling smile on her lips. "Are you sure about that?"

Something in her tone made Nikolas shiver.

It had to mean that Kohen and Charles had struck some major deal with her behind the scenes.

"What did they offer you?" he demanded.

Daniela didn't hesitate. "They promised to find the culprit and make Cedric their successor."

Nikolas' eyes went wide, disbelief crashing over him."No! That's impossible! That can't be true!"