Chapter 977

Jules couldn't explain it, but something in his chest tightened with dread.

In a blink, Daniela looked like a nightmare brought to life.

He composed himself and coughed. "I can tell you,but you'll have to agree to my terms."

Daniela eased onto a nearby swing,letting her feet brush the earth as it rocked slightly.

"Terms are acceptable." Her tonesharpened into ice."Though I should caution you first."

That grin came again-dark, twisted, and brimming with menace beneath the shadows.

Jules' pulse jumped.

Daniela continued, "I'm open to negotiations with anyone. I fulfill my promises and accept the cost. But heed this-if there's deception, you won't get away with it."

Jules's palm went numb where it hung at his side Daniela caught that reaction and her smirk widened while the swing picked up speed. "Now, talk. What's your desire?"

Jules sensed the devil wore her face, and he was using his secrets to trade with her.

"I want Josh's money," Jules declared boldly.

Daniela replied, "Fine."

Jules blinked, stunned. It took him a moment to respond, "I mean all of Josh's money."

Daniela answered, "Understood.Is there more?"

Jules looked completely floored. "You can't just take his assets like it's a trinket. Daniela, don't act so sure of yourself!"

"Seems like that's your only wish. I already agreed. If you doubt me, wait three days. Josh's fortune will legally bear your name. Take that as proof of my promise," Daniela said.

Jules felt cold creeping from his heels to his scalp."You're not joking?"

Daniela gave a slow nod. "Watch and believe."

From beyond the trees, Brad's voice rang out.

Daniela stepped off the swing and, as she walked past Name Jules, offered a wicked smirk. "Remember this-you only get one wish. Yours is spent. I'll fulfill my end,but if you fail to deliver, I'll make sure you suffer."

With that, she disappeared into the dusk, laughing softly.

Jules stayed rooted in place.

He watched as Daniela made her way down the trail,spotting Hamilton and the others rush toward her,voices full of concern. "Where'd you vanish to? You had us worried sick!"

Daniela twirled a tiny flower between her fingers and replied with a calm smile, "I lost my bearings, but I'm here now."

As the group drifted away and the sky turned pitch black, Jules finally forced his limbs to move.

He let out a long breath.

It felt as though he'd signed a pact with something unholy.

Yet buried beneath the terror, he felt an uncontrollable thrill.

Daniela had promised three days.

In three days, Josh's wealth would be his.Just three days!

Jules would become the wealthiest person among his brothers.

His pulse thudded like a drum; his veins surged with fire.

Back home, Cedric awaited her arrival. When Daniela walked in, he passed her a piece of fruit. She bit into it,then smiled."Sweet."

Hamilton, standing nearby, added, "Please don't pull that again. It's dangerous."

Daniela gave a small nod and headed to the living room.

When the others dispersed, Cedric sat beside her and asked, "Did you meet him?"

Daniela gave a small hum.

"And?" Cedric pressed.

"He says he has proof," Daniela replied.

Cedric's gaze sharpened to something lethal."Good."

From the dining area, Hamilton watched the two interact.

They were truly enigmatic. Both unshakably calm.

Even when no words passed between them, their energy aligned like they were alone in a world of their own.

Once,Hamilton couldn't stand Daniela. He'd wonder why she acted so fragile, why Cedric always had to protect her.

She was too calculating, always manipulating Cedric.

But after some time observing them, Hamilton realized things weren't so simple.

Daniela did depend on Cedric. Though Cedric often claimed Daniela made all the decisions, he wasn't completely yielding.

When it came to safety, Daniela respected the boundary.

In reality, the two were attuned-each understanding what the other needed.

Daniela gave Cedric only the best.

Whenever Elite Lux launched a new concept, Cedric always received the first piece-even if it was yet another black suit. In texture and fit, nothing else came close.

One time, Hamilton approached an Elite Lux designer and asked if he could pay for a suit using Cedric's material.

The designer responded, "Unfortunately, that fabric is solely reserved for Mr. Phillips-none left for anyone else."

Later,Hamilton learned that the designer only worked for Cedric. When Brad asked Carol how much that cost, she gave a jaw-dropping number. "That's his yearly fee."

Brad was left speechless, later muttering that he didn't even earn as much as that designer.