Chapter 889

Noticing how unfazed Daniela was, Damon quickly turned to Cedric. "Cedric, you have to talk some sense into her. I'm telling you the truth-she can't hold a candle to our father. He built McCoy Group from scratch and poured his whole soul into it. The company is everything to him, and if he thinks you're a threat, he won't hesitate to crush you."

Nikolas waited a moment before adding his own words, hoping to sway Cedric. "Back when you two were sick, I remember a handful of people looking hopeful, ready to succeed. But every time, they were stopped cold. Some even wound up so desperate, they took their own lives. Cedric, we're saying this because we want the best for you."

A note of worry crept into Damon's face.

Both men seemed convinced that Daniela was simply too inexperienced, too delicate to withstand the kind of brutal force Hamilton could unleash.

Before Daniela could answer, the chime of the doorbell cut through the tension.

The housekeeper answered, then came back with a message for Daniela. "Ms. Harper, there's a visitor at the door. I asked for his name, and he said he's with McCoy Group."

Rising from her seat, Daniela headed for the entryway.

Damon darted ahead, already anxious to confront the new arrival.

From where shestood, Daniela heard Damon's startled greeting. "Joseph, what brings you here?"

Joseph's face was all business. "I'm here for Daniela."

Damon's expression hardened. "Is this visit on behalf of my father?"

With a curt nod, Joseph's eyes shifted from Damon to Daniela as she stepped forward to join them.

This marked Joseph's third encounter with Daniela. On every occasion, she left him with the same impression-delicate in frame, distantin manner, and bearing a regal air that set her apart from the rest.

And now, she was boldly challenging Hamilton.

A quiet sense of pity for this striking woman lingered in his mind for a while.

His voice held little warmth as he said to Daniela, "Mr. McCoy requests your presence."

A small tilt of his head pointed toward the entryway. "Come with me. The car is already outside."

Daniela didn't move, her expression unreadable.

Cedric's brows drew together in concern, ready to intervene, but Carol was quicker.

She blocked Joseph's path, her voice sharp. "Is that how you speak to people? Why the attitude? You're the ones who need us, yet you act so high and mighty. Who gave you that right? It's been just a month since Daniela took Hamilton's title as the world's wealthiest. Now look at you-here to plead for a meeting. You understand your place, don't you?"

No one in Daniela's circle was the type to back down easily.

When challenged, none of them ever backed down from a fight.

Joseph, Hamilton's right hand, was respected by both the McCoy family and employees from McCoy Group.

Having a much younger woman call him out in front of everyone stung his pride.

Fixing Daniela with a steely glare, he asked, "Is this the hospitality you show your visitors? Don't forget-Oiscoll is the McCoy family's territory."

A flash of temper threatened to break through his calm facade.

Nikolas quickly intervened, gently pulling Carol behind him. "Joseph, don't let her words get to you. She's young;cut her some slack."

A dismissive snort escaped Joseph, arrogance returning to his features. "Time to go. Mr. McCoy isn't a man who likes to be kept waiting." As he spoke, Joseph's gaze drifted-first to Daniela, then to Nikolas' hand still curled around Carol's wrist,lingering before he looked away.

He continued, "Will you be driving yourselves, or riding with me?"

Cedric's brows knitted together, and he retorted, "What makes you think we need your ride?"

Joseph looked Cedric up and down, a flicker of reluctant respect showing in his eyes.

The fact that Cedric had propelled Daniela's company back to the top in only a month proved his talent.

Joseph knew true ability deserved both recognition and a touch of caution.

He practically wore his eagerness to please like a badge of honor, clearly satisfied with his own performance.

On the other hand, Cedric regarded him with nothing but a frosty stare.

Throughout it all, Daniela never let her composure slip. "If there's something to discuss, Hamilton can come here himself."

A lingering heaviness in her body had left Daniela with little desire to venture out these days.

Staying home and keeping things quiet suited her just fine.

That answer made Joseph bristle. "So you're refusing to go?"

Without missing a beat, Daniela met his bluster with a dry smile and matched his arrogance. "That's right.You heard me. I don't feel like leaving my house."

The answer seemed to knock Joseph off balance. "No one refuses Mr. McCoy! Absolutely no one!"

Daniela's lashes fluttered in mock surprise. "Is that so? Because I'm pretty sure I just did."

Joseph looked ready to explode. "All right, have it your way! You'll regret this!"

His attention snapped to Cedric, and his tone shifted to something almost deferential. "Mr. Phillips, your recent successes have greatly impressed your father. He wants you back with the McCoys. Consider this carefully. You're not foolish enough to side with a woman who can't be predicted over a group with true power behind it."

With those parting words, Joseph spun around, pausing at the door only long enough to add, "Ms. Harper, I hope you don't regret this."

Every syllable landed with hard finality.

Carol's temper flared and she retorted, "You talk big for someone on shaky ground! Regret? We'll see who's left regretting this when all is said and done!"

Both Nikolas and Damon rushed to catch up with Joseph before things got worse.

Positioning themselves on either side of him, they tried to smooth things over. "Joseph, don't let this get to you. They're newcomers here in Oiscoll-they just don't understand how things work yet. How.about we both head back with you and keep the peace? There's no need to turn this into something bigger."

Meanwhile, Hamilton lounged at home, fully expecting Daniela to come bowing at his doorstep.

Sure, her company had climbed to the very top of the global rankings, but how solid was that success,really?

After all, Daniela had only reached such heights with Cedric's backing.