Chapter 868

Though his heart sank like a stone, Nikolas still asked."What do you want me to do?"

A sinking instinct told him this had to do with Daniela.And he was right!

Hamilton's voice dropped to a whisper as he told Nikolas, "Daniela has a crippling fear of blood. It's her Achilles' heel. I need your help..."

Hamilton drew a chilling line across his throat "She trusts you and Damon. Wait until her guard slips-then you strike, and it'll be over."

When Nikolas stayed silent for too long, Hamilton took it as fear and rushed to reassure him. "I got this information from Alexander.He said Daniela crumbles at the sight of blood-unless she's used tranquilizer. You saw how shaken she was last time. Wait until Cedric and Carol are out of the house. Then, burst the blood bag-Daniela's body will betray her with visible symptoms. This kind of fear runs deeper than willpower; even the strongest can't fight it. That's your moment to strike and end her. Do you understand?"

Hamilton reached into his suit and pulled out a blood bag like a secret weapon. "Keep it on you at all times.and act the moment the opportunity strikes. Nikolas,once Daniela is gone, Cedric's marriage to her ends by default. Then he can wed the princess of Loglil.Everything rides on your shoulders!"

As Hamilton turned to leave, he gave Nikolas a firm pat on the shoulder. "In this world,survival comes first -or you'll be crushed under its weight. Don't let misplaced compassion blur your judgment. You've known this since childhood-nothing outranks self-interest!"

With a sharp flick of his suit, Hamilton strode off.exuding unshakable confidence.

Nikolas stared at Hamilton's fading silhouette, then lowered his gaze to the blood bag in his palm-his face a storm of tangled emotions.

As Daniela sat watching TV,Carol entered the house.

Carol leaned toward Daniela. "Daniela, I saw Hamilton talking to Nikolas."

Daniela shrugged. "Hamilton's his father. It's not strange for them to meet."

Carol narrowed her eyes, a flicker of menace dancing within them. "But I saw Hamilton hand Nikolas a blood bag."

Daniela's gaze sharpened. "Are you sure you saw that right?"

Carol nodded firmly. "I saw it clearly. Nikolas slipped it into his pocket."

Moments later, the villa door clicked open, and someone stepped inside.

The housekeeper glanced up and announced, "Nikolas has returned."

Daniela and Carol turned just in time to see Nikolas walk in.

Daniela murmured to Carol,"Noted."

Carol sank into the couch and turned her eyes back to the television.

As Nikolas settled onto the long sofa, Daniela wanted to get her laptop. He reached out and handed it to her.

Daniela flipped open her laptop and quickly breached Hamilton's private account.

And sure enough, a transaction stared back at her-Hamilton had wired fifty million to Alexander.

No wonder Hamilton was so certain about her fear of blood.The pieces now fit together.

Daniela texted Carol. "Get the tranquilizer ready for me in advance."

Carol's expression darkened, and as she turned to leave,she shot Nikolas a venomous glare.

Nikolas looked genuinely confused. "What's wrong with Carol? Did I say something to upset her?"

Daniela shut her laptop. "She missed out on her favorite trending cake. That's probably what's bothering her."

Nikolas stood up from the sofa. "I'll go get it for her."

Rain poured steadily outside.

The downpour was relentless. Daniela watched as Nikolas, dressed neatly in his suit, grabbed an umbrella and stepped into the curtain of rain.

Daniela gave a single glance, then coolly turned her attention back to the TV screen. After a short while, Carol came back and silently placed the tranquilizer beside Daniela.

Not long after, Nikolas walked in, soaked to the skin from the rain, yet holding the cake box dry and untouched. He handed it to Carol "Here, this is for you."

Carol's face remained cold. Without sparing him a glance,she turned and walked straight to her room.

Nikolas blinked in disbelief. "Didn't she want this cake?Why's she still mad?"

Daniela switched off the TV and rose to her feet. "She didn't like dinner tonight and is sulking, insisting on eating from that busy night market on Main Road."

Nikolas glanced at the clock. "It's still early. That market isn't open yet."

Daniela shook her head slightly. "I don't know, maybe she had a sudden craving. She'll get over it. Comne on,let's eat."

Nikolas hurried through a few bites, then grabbed the umbrella and headed out to drive.

The night market was a bit of a drive, but Carol adored it-and often made the trip herself just to grab a bite.

Cedric looked confused. "She wants it that bad? Doesn't that place do delivery? Why not just call them instead of driving there?"

Daniela kept eating, her tone even. "Nikolas knows I'm afraid of blood." She'd never intended to keep it from Cedric.

Cedric's fork hit the plate with a loud clatter."What did you just say?"