Chapter 101

Katrina passed the phone to Daniela, and she accepted it.

"Daniela, I admit it's my mistake," Alexander explained,his tone casual and distant, as if the issue didn't matter much to him. "That sketchbook was worn out,and frankly, it wasn't worth much. I'l have a better one sent to you soon."

After a brief pause, he spoke again, clearly thinking the matter was settled. "A few days ago, my dad mentioned he visited you. He suggested I invite you for a meal. When would be a good time? Let's call it my way of saying sorry. How does that sound?"

A heavy silence filled the room. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Daniela.

The coldness in her posture, the way her hand tightened at her side-it was clear she was fuming,a storm of emotions brewing under her still exterior,though she remained silent.

Caiden bit his lip, stepping closer to console her."Daniela, I understand how important that sketchbook was to you.I..." "Fine." Daniela's unexpected reply interrupted him,her voice steady but surprising. She gave a slight smile and spoke into the phone. "Let's meet at Elite Lux."

She ended the calI without another word.

Katrina,watching her closely, scoffed loudly."Oh,so now you're playing hard to get, huh? All that nonsense about how precious that sketchbook was to you-what a joke. The truth is, you were just looking for any excuse to get close to Alexander again, weren't you?Don't try to fool anyone, Daniela. You're still the same pathetic girl, desperate to follow Alexander around like some eager little puppy, hoping for his attention."

Katrina's words were laced with venom. "If this was your plan all along, why bother with all the drama?Daniela,you disgust me."

Daniela casually threw the phone into Katrina's arms,her gaze unblinking. She leaned in closer, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. "You're right about one thing. I came here just to disgust you After the meal with Alexander, do you honestly think your plan to marry Joyce into the Bennett family is still going to succeed?"

Katrina's expression darkened.

Daniela let out a soft, unsettling laugh, the kind that didn't resemble the sweet girl everyone was familiar with.

"Katrina, I couldn't care less about what you've done before. But this time, you've gone too far. Don't worry,I won't deal with you. I'll let you stay alive long enough to watch what happens to Joyce."

With that, Daniela turned and walked away,leaving Katrina standing there in stunned silence. Her hands clenched intofists, and her voice trembled with fury as she shouted after her, "How dare you! Daniela,how dare you!"

Her words echoed in the stillness, but Daniela didn't so much as spare a glance. Without hesitation, she slid into her exclusive, limited-edition car and sped off.

As Peyton descended the stairs, her gaze wandered toward Joyce's room.

The room was a perfect blend of princess-like elegance,filled with sunlight. It was spacious and airy,with floor-to-ceiling windows that opened up to a verdant greenbelt. Fresh air streamed in, rejuvenating anyone who entered.

Peyton snapped her head towards Caiden, shooting him a cold look. "Caiden, you really went all out raising someone else's daughter!"

Ronald and Wyatt, on the other hand,were only concerned with one thing. "Mom, do you think Daniela will keep her word? When do you think she'll make it happen?"

After all, it was about a future of endless wealth and luxury.

Peyton's wrinkled face twisted into a displeased frown."Didn't you notice the way she was acting today? She was in a terrible mood. Just give her some time.I'll take some fruit and visit her at work. Did you see? She didn't even argue with a single thing I said earlier.Trust me, she's wealthy now, and you're her uncles. Do you really think she'd hold back from helping you?”

Ronald and Wyatt visibly relaxed, their tense expressions softening with relief.

But Katrina wasn't as easily comforted.

She turned to Caiden, her voice edged with concern."Caiden, what do you think Daniela meant by what she said? Is she trying to destroy Alexander and Joyce's relationship? She is, isn't she?"

Caiden remained composed, his tone steady. "You're reading too much into it. Daniela isn't like that."

"Not like that? She said it herself! She told me exactly what she was planning. And the way she looked at me -her eyes were cold, full of calculation,ruthless!Daniela is Brylee's daughter! She's got that same blood running through her veins. With a mother like Brylee, how could Daniela possibly be anything but trouble?"

Katrina's anxiety grew stronger as she continued,"You have to understand, Caiden. Daniela really said it. She promised she wouldn't touch me, but then she made it clear she wants me to witness Joyce's destruction firsthand. She's planning to ruin our daughter!"

"That's impossible. Daniela is my daughter too. She wouldn't harm Joyce," Caiden responded flatly.

Katrina collapsed into tears. She cursed Peyton,Caiden, and Daniela even more fiercely.

Annoyed, Caiden snatched his phone and retreated to the guest room.

Katrina went to the balcony with a cigarette dangling between her fingers. "Mom, I'm telling you, there's something really off about Caiden lately. He's not acting like himself at all."