Chapter 973

"Since you already knew about the prenuptial agreement | signed with Josh, why did you agree to meet with me?" Felicia asked, genuinely confused."Is there something more you're after from Josh, aside from his money?"

Daniela gave Felicia a quick glance and grinned."That's right."

Felicia arched an eyebrow. "So that means we might be able to work together after all?"

Daniela gave a small shake of her head. "No. There's no possibility of that."

Felícia's confidentsmile slowlydisappeared. "Whynot?"She had thought she'd shown Daniela she was clever enough, and that Daniela would be interested in partnering with her.

Daniela could see straight through Felicia's hopes. The girl. still wore her heart on her sleeve, far too young to hide her feelings.

She did think Felicia had a certain cleverness.

At least when it came to love, Felicia was more Case perceptive than Victoria.

Daniela kept her smile, but her words were direct and unfiltered. "Home-wreckers never get away with what they do. You're smart enough to figure out I've been working with Victoria. You thought you could offer me something, so you agreed to marry Josh with a prenuptial in place. But you made one mistake."

Felicia had no smile left. Her curiosity outweighed her pride. "What did I miscalculate?"

Daniela sat back and answered without hesitation, "I'IL never side with someone who destroys families. Men who betray their wives deserve every bit of scorn.Women who break up marriages aren't innocent,either. Anyone who tries to climb the social ladder through schemes like that will never find true happiness. Any woman who tore a family apart deserved to face the consequences."

With a long face, Felicia murmured, "I don't get it."

A soft smile touched Daniela's lips. "A smart person understands her own boundaries. Young women like you,with nothing but youth and looks, always believe the world owes them something. I've seen plenty just like you before. I'll take care of the bill for this coffee.Sooner or later, you'll realize that your cleverness isn't enough to navigate the complicated games you're trying to play." Without another word, Daniela rose from her seat and walked away.

Felicia's shock quickly turned to anger, then frustration. She slammed her fist onto the table. "I can't believe I read her so wrong!"

By the very next day, Felicia ended her marriage with Josh. Their wedding vows dissolved overnight,replaced by a battle of interests.

Hamilton watched Daniela, clearly impressed and maybe even a little awestruck.

Brad asked, "Did you hear about Felicia meeting Daniela yesterday? I heard she rushed home and divorced Josh, saying her youth was too valuable to waste on an old man."

Ethan added, "Jules called me first thing today. Josh is both furious and humiliated. All of Oiscoll is laughìng at him."

A worried frown creased Hamilton's face. "Josh won't let this go. He's bound to blame Daniela."

Brad just chuckled. "If you ask me, Daniela did it on purpose just to push his buttons."

Ethan agreed. "Right. She doesn't seem scared of him at all, Hamilton. I wouldn't worry." Hamilton's expression grew serious. "Do either of you even think before you talk?"

Both Brad and Ethan glanced over in confusion.

Hamilton continued, "Why do you think Daniela went out of her way to provoke Josh? She already knows who was responsible for her mother's death, so why hasn't she taken action yet? Lately, things have been quiet for you two, but have you forgotten why Daniela came to Oiscoll?"

Brad looked taken aback. "Are you saying Daniela has been digging for the person behind the explosion?"

Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine. "But we still have no clue who's actually responsible."

Hamilton didn't say a word. That fear had always lingered in the back of his mind.

Whoever orchestrated the explosion had done a masterful job staying hidden.

Daniela, out in the open, was now exposed. The mastermind continued lurking, and with Daniela expecting a child, there was no doubt more trouble was brewing

The risk surrounding Daniela was only growing.

Hamilton, too restless to remain seated, got up at once and set out to look for Cedric.

He found Cedric in the kitchen, focused on preparing pastries for Daniela.

Those long,steady hands worked the dough with skill,his face calm, eyes fixed on his task.

Watching from the doorway, Hamilton felt a surge of pride.

That was his son.

Cedric could be seen preparing pastries with the flair of a star chef, and it was clear why Daniela found herself drawn to him.

Feeling slightly reassured, Hamilton remarked, "Let Daniela know she needs to step back from the explosion case. She has to stop her investigation for now."

Cedric's expression didn't change, his voice even and unbothered. "She calls the shots on the big things."

Hamilton was stunned. "Excuse me? You said you'd handle the serious stuff and she'd take care of the rest. When did that change?"