Chapter 812

Cedric had learned long ago-when Daniela lost her temper, she didn't yell. She just left people behind.Once, she'd left him stranded in Olisvine without blinking.

Knowing better now, he played it safe. "You've got three days," he told Nikolas. "If you're still here after that, talk to my wife yourself."

Nikolas let out a slow smirk. "Look at you.Completely leashed. What a shame."

Cedric didn't rise to the bait. But just before turning the corner, he paused and asked, "Why'd you really cut ties with the McCoy family?"

He didn't believe the story Nikolas had told earlier.

Nikolas hadn't expected him to press like that.

Instead of answering, he ducked into the bathroom. "I'm showering. Get lost."

Cedric leaned on the doorframe. "What happened to that milk bath you were crying about?"

"Forget it!" Nikolas barked from inside.

Still, Cedric couldn't shake the feeling that Nikolas wasn't being honest.

The following morning, as Daniela came down the stairs, the first thing she noticed was Nikolas lounging on the sofa, legs crossed, looking like he belonged in a portrait. He wore the cotton pajamas he'd borrowed from Cedric, flipping through a newspaper like it was part of his routine.

She walked past him without so much as a glance and headed into the kitchen.

Nikolas clicked his tongue. "Did you not even see me?"

She didn't bother replying.

There was a meeting scheduled later, and she wanted to go over a few partner profiles before eating.

As she reviewed the documents, her eyes narrowed at one name in particular.

Nikolas caught it and stood. He peeked at the file in her hand-Alexander's name was right on top.

She spoke without looking up. "So,Alexander's handling a McCoy Group branch now?"

Nikolas nodded."Yeah."

Daniela didn't ask anything else.

But he couldn't resist one more poke. With Cedric just reaching the stairs, Nikolas turned to Danielaand said, "Alexander's after you."

Cedric stopped mid-step.

Nikolas leaned back, visibly entertained.

Later,they had breakfast together without incident.

When Cedric went out to get the car, Nikolas, too restless to sit around, insisted on joining Daniela.

As they stood by the door waiting for Cedric to bring the car around, Daniela broke the silence. "I'm only going to say this once."

Her voice remained steady, but her expression carried a chilling edge. Nikolas had never seen her like that.

"Whatever you're scheming, that's your business.I don't care. But if you want even the slightest respect from me, you'd better stop making life harder for Cedric. He treats you like family-that's the only reason you're even still here. Keep pulling the same stunts you pulled today, and I promise it'll go worse for you than it did when Hamilton cut you off."

Nikolas furrowed his brow. "What did I even do?Besides, you're meeting with those business folks today. Sooner or later, Cedric's going to hear about it.You really think you can hide it?"

A murderous glint flashed in Daniela's eyes. It was unmistakable and unrestrained, leaving Nikolas momentarily stunned.

"How he finds out isn't your concern. I told you l'd only say this once. Don't make me repeat myself. The only reason you could stay in my place is Cedric letting you. Next time you pull something like you did this morning, I won't let it slide."

Just then, Cedric's car rolled up.

She stepped in and shut the door behind her without looking back.

Nikolas stood there, flustered. "I wasn't,even inside yet!"

The car pulled away, leaving him on the steps. It took a few seconds for him to understand-Daniela had just issued a second warning.

The weight of it dropped into his chest.

If Cedric could earn such loyalty from someone like her,who could even steal her from him?

Lowering his eyes, Nikolas felt like the whole world had turned its back on him.

From the side, Carol stepped out and caught the look on his face.

She gave him a light smile. "Daniela's not that hard to get along with."

He scoffed, "You're joking, right? She's terrifying That's your idea of easy?"

Carol laughed. "You don't get it. Daniela is strict with herself but lenient with others. She protects her own and won't let anyone mistreat the people close to her. That includes you now. Just stay on the right side of her. You've already seen what happens when you don't. As long as you don't cross that line, she's honestly not hard to deal with."

Nikolas asked, "So, are you telling me to be nice to Cedric?"