Chapter 90

For some inexplicable reason, the childlike handwriting on the paper struck a chord of familiarity within Alexander.

It felt hauntingly familiar, as if he had encountered it somewhere in the past, yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly where.

As Joyce watched Alexander prepare to leave, a wistful sigh escaped her lips. "When are you going to marry me?"

Preoccupied, Alexander merely climbed into the car,leaving her question hanging unanswered in the chilly air.

From his vantage point next to the car, Richard caught sight of Joyce's reddened eyes. He offered a sympathetic comment. "Go back inside. Don't worry.This will sort itself out soon enough."

Yet, inwardly, he harbored a deep aversion towards Joyce.He thought her utterly foolish, behaving like a petulant child. Did she really believe the universe orbited around her whims?

Inside the car, Richard asked, "Did you manage to get the sketchbook?"

Alexander nodded absentmindedly.

Richard's disdain for Joyce only deepened.

Her lack of prudence was astonishing.

She had let Alexander into Daniela's room without hesitation and allowed him to take whatever he wished without batting an eye. Could she really be so ridiculously naive?

Letting her into the Bennett family was as good as inviting burglars to raid their treasures.

With a frown, Richard sighed deeply. After a moment,he turned back to Alexander, decisiveness in his voice."Hand over the sketchbook. There's no need for you to seek out Daniela. I'll take care of it."

Alexander was still preoccupied with the handwriting,racking his brain to recall where he had last seen it,but the memory remained elusive.

With that, the Bennett family pulled away, their car disappearing into the distance.

No assurances came from Caiden; his silence said it all.

Katrina's cries echoed through the living room, her shoulders trembling with emotion.

With frustration evident, Caiden called the driver,who immediately came to pick him up.

Just as Caiden stepped into the waiting car, Katrina's voice cut through the air from behind. "Where are you going?"

Paying no mind to Katrina, Caiden waved the driver forward, urging him to start the car and drive off.

Glancing at the rearview mirror, the driver inquired,"Where are we headed, sir?"

After a brief pause, Caiden muttered, "Elite Lux."

The driver nodded subtly, pressed the accelerator,and the car sped off.

As they reached Elite Lux, droplets began to speckle the ground.

Fresh from a banquet, Daniela emerged in a flowing silver-white gown that accentuated her elegance.

A security guard offered her a tissue. With a warm,genuine smile, she accepted, murmuring, "Thank you Her smile reflected a deep, genuine warmth reminiscent of her mother.

A wave of regret washed over Caiden. Realizing his shortcomings as a father over the years, he impulsively swung the car door open and called out,"Daniela."

Daniela, adorned with long earrings that delicately grazed her cheeks, turned to find Caiden under the somber, drizzly sky.

Daniela hesitated briefly before stepping out, her tone calm and courteous. "Do you need something, Mr.Harper?"

Caiden gazed at her intently, the realization dawning on him that the little girl who once perched on the stairs munching on her meals had blossomed into a poised young woman.

His words came at last, but a slight quiver betrayed his composure. "I remember Katrina used to laugh about how you'd never sit at the table, preferring the stairs instead.Was she right?"

The evening air wasn't particularly brisk, yet Caiden's words whisked Daniela back to a childhood tinged with solitude. Her smile dimmed a touch as she murmured,"| don't remember."

In those days, she'd been overlooked, invisible. And now,she was unwilling to entertain belated regrets.

By holding on to her grudge, she risked being seen as utterly void of compassion.

Upstairs, Josie had prepared a steaming pot of soup,and the ringing of a phone call pierced the quiet night.

After disconnecting, Daniela maintained her composure and nodded towards Caiden, her voice steady. "The past is behind us. I'm fortunate now to have people who care about me. Mr. Harper, goodbye."

With those words, Daniela pivoted and strode away.

In that instant, a profound melancholy enveloped Caiden. He watched her receding figure, yearning to call after her, yet she vanished into the distance,beyond reach.

His attempts at reconciliation now seemed futile to Daniela.

As the rain began to fall, the driver unfurled an umbrella over Caiden, who asked in a hushed tone,"Does she still harbor resentment towards me?"

The driver, a thoughtful man in his fifties, replied cautiously, "Ms. Harper is compassionate by nature.She might be hurt, but at the end of the day, you're

her father. Blood ties are enduring, a connection that's difficult to sever."

He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "In some families, emotions aren't always laid bare immediately, particularly if they wish to avoid stirring up conflict."

Caiden regarded the driver with a hint of curiosity.

Tilting the umbrella against the wind, the driver spoke with quiet conviction. "You see, when someone joins a new family, they tend to tread lightly and avoid stirring trouble. Yet, when they're among their own family, they're more inclined to express their true thoughts. Do you know the reason?"

Taking a thoughtful pause, he went on, "It's because with one's own family, there's a greater latitude for openness. With in-laws or outsiders, however, people are more guarded."

He looked over at Caiden, adding,"The same principle applies to your family, Mr. Harper. Observe carefully,and over time, you'll discern Daniela's and Joyce's genuine selves. You've ascended the ranks through sheer effort, assuming others have endured similar trials.Yet,human nature is fickle. Ultimately, everyone prioritizes their own interests."

The driver, having served under Daniela's mother for many years, had witnessed much and was unafraid to share his insights.

Throughout the ride home, Caiden was deep in reflection.

Katrina lingered in the living room,awaiting his return.Upon his entry, she offered him a towel.

As Caiden made his way upstairs, Katrina glanced at the driver with a hint of unease. "Where did he go?"

With a calm demeanor, the driver responded, "He went to his office, reviewed some documents, then returned."

Katrina exhaled in relief.

She had suspected he might have developed a sudden sense of duty and set off in search of Daniela.

It turned out her fears were unfounded.