Chapter 1023

Daniela and Cedric stepped into the hospital room and found Josh hunched over the table, scribbling intently.

Her gaze landed on the document before him-the title glared back in a thick, dark letter: "Confession."

Without a word, Daniela accepted the chair Cedric had quietly placed behind her and sat, hands folded, her attention fixed on the man who had taken her mother's life.

A heavy silence draped over the room.

Josh kept writing, his pen scratching across the page,until finally he set it down and slid the paper across the table.

"Daniela, this is a full account of everything that happened. If you have questions, ask me."

Josh's blunt honesty caught her off guard.

Even he acknowledged there was no point in scheming-Daniela saw through everything anyway.

For once, it was easier just to lay his cards on the table.

Daniela leaned back, arms folded, her lashes dropping low over her eyes. The sunlight traced faint shadows across her features, highlighting a beauty that felt untouchable,almost cold.

She spoke evenly. "All right, let's hear the terms you've got in mind."

Josh didn't hesitate, meeting her gaze head-on. "It's.simple. I want Brad gone. You take care of him for me."

He searched her face, frustrated by how unreadable she was. With no hint of approval or refusal from Daniela, he went on, "And another thing-I want money. Not just a little. I want every cent McCoy Group made while it was running. By my count,that's eight hundred billion. Don't try to act broke.I know you're sitting on a mountain of cash. Hand over the eight hundred billion!"

Daniela let out a soft, incredulous laugh. She leaned back in her chair, draping one arm casually over the armrest. "Is there anything else you want?"

Josh nodded, his chin lifted with practiced arrogance."Of course! You think I'd just hand over this confession easily? Daniela, you're going to liquidate my assets-and not just that. You'll help me get out of this country for good. I want a ticket to Elite Lux,and you'll hand over half the shares to me. I'm used to living well. I won't settle for misery."

Daniela's laugh was light and unbothered.

Josh pressed on, his voice smooth and coaxing. "You and I both know this is nothing for you. You could have it done in minutes." He shoved the confession across the table, eyes glittering. "Give me what I want,and I'll sign it. Then we're even."

Just as the last word left his mouth, a violent storm burst to life outside. Thunder cracked, shaking the windows, and a jagged bolt of lightning threw harsh light across the room.

The overhead bulbs sputtered and, with a sharp pop,the entire room plunged into darkness.

Josh jolted upright, nearly springing off the bed in panic.

Daniela stayed put, her lips barely curving into an amused, enigmatic smile as she observed his fluster.

Embarrassed by his own skittishness, Josh fumbled for composure and forced himself to recline again.

"Well? What's your answer? When do you plan to take care of all this? I'll hand over the signed confession once everything's finished." He pressed further,forcing a veneer of confidence.

Without sparing him a glance, Daniela's gaze drifted toward the window. Her voice came out cool and distant, slicing through the tension. "It's raining."

Josh stared at her, bewildered. "What are you talking about?"

A faint, icy smile flickered across Daniela's lips. "I'm saying it's time for me to head home." Tension rippled through Josh's frame. "But we're not done negotiating yet."

A low laugh escaped Daniela. "Aren't we? I thought everything that needed saying was said. And, just so you know, the deal's off."

Josh's expression went rigid, panic flashing in his eyes.

"You don't want my confession?"

"I do. But..." Daniela tapped the paper resting on the table,her tone suddenly piercing. "This is not enough."

The sky outside had turned a deep, menacing gray.Josh recoiled, unsettled by the glint in Daniela's eyes -a cold, spectral malice that seemed to drain the warmth from the room.

"What I want is..." Daniela's finger arced forward,hovering just inches from Josh's face.A soft,wicked laugh escaped her lips, lingering in the air. "Your life.That's the only confession I'll ever accept from you."

With those words, Daniela slowly made her exit,leaving the room behind.

Cedric lingered in the doorway, fixing Josh with a steady,unblinking stare. "Did you honestly believe a simple confession would be enough to save you?That's wishful thinking. Eat well while you still can-soon, you won't get to choose what's on your plate."

Without another word, Cedric spun on his heel and strode out. Josh sat rigid at the bed's head, his shoulders drawn tight and heavy.

Thunder crashed again and again, rattling. the windowpanes.

A sharp gust swept through the open window, sending the paper tumbling upward.

It fluttered through the air, twisting and turning,then Landed soundlessly in the mouth of the trash can.