Chapter 187

Bathed in the soft light, Cedric's smile was gentle.His eyes locked on Daniela's, he murmured, "Alright."

In the entryway, Lillian and Ryan came to a sudden halt. Moments later, they shared a glance, quickly covered each other's eyes, and sidestepped away in discomfort.

Downstairs, Lillian murmured, "What's the story with Daniela? Does she not feel love, or does she simply choose not to, or is she just clueless about it?"

Ryan, typically a man of few words and a devoted admirer of Daniela, paused silently. He then leaned in, his gaze sharpening with an intensity rarely seen."I'm not sure. But I think Daniela was flirting with Cedric just now. Did you catch that scene earlier?"

Still shaken, Ryan made wild gestures. "She just covered Cedric's ears. And his cheeks turned red!Can you believe it? And yet she says she doesn't know anything about love? If she can soften Cedric,the famously unshakable, there's nothing she can't do!"

Lillian was quick to agree. "Exactly! She's clueless about the effect she has! Imagine if she tried that on Alexander. He'd be overwhelmed. She's in a league of her own. An absolute master at this. Her charm is undeniable."

Upstairs, Alexander was on his way to get water from the living room.

The moment he opened the door, the chatter from below reached his ears.

His hand stiffened on the doorknob, his face clouding over.

He thought Cedric was fooled by Daniela's tricks.

He himself wouldn't be duped so easily. Nor did he have any interest.

Yet, he lingered in the doorway, tightly gripping his glass, hanging on to their every word.

When Lillian returned upstairs later, she noticed Cedric's ears still bore a flush of red.

With a smirk, she leaned on Daniela's door, took a deep drink of water, and asked, "Daniela, can I ask something?"

Daniela, stretched out on the floor working on the puzzle, seemed as peaceful and unfazed as ever.

Lillian watched her closely, searching for any hint of emotion. But there was nothing.

"Hmm?" Daniela murmured without looking up."What is it?"

In the spacious, quiet room, her voice took on an almost surreal echo.

Pausing briefly, Lillian finally said, "Did you ever treat Alexander the way you did Cedric just now?"

Daniela stopped, a puzzle piece pinched between her fingers. She straightened up and turned to Lillian,her face full of confusion. "How exactly?" Lillian covered her ears.

With a shake of her head, Daniela responded, "No."

Lillian pressed further. "Why not?"

Pondering for a moment, Daniela tilted her head,her brow creased in contemplation. "Why would l?Alexander didn't require that from me."

"Is it really that he didn't need it, or you didn't want to provide it?" Lillian asked. "Consider this. Had Alexander been in Cedric's situation just now, would you have offered him the same comfort?"

Daniela paused to think, then said again, "NNo. That's not how Alexander operates."

"Why then, did you comfort Cedric?"

"Because he looked sad just now," she admitted.It was as if something precious to him had been hurt.In his eyes, she had noticed a momentary, hidden hint of sorrow.

Lillian went on. "And concerning Alexander..." "Lillian, you constantly mention Alexander," Daniela retorted sharply, crossing her legs. "He's not suitable for you. He's cold, manipulative, and obsessed with profit. He's involved with Joyce. Although we're financially stable and could manipulate him with money, I would never recommend someone like him as a partner."

Her attempts had taught her well.

Alexander was simply too distant, too gloomy, and too inconsistent.

He was not a viable candidate for marriage.

Stunned, Lillian blinked in silence.

Ryan, who had been casually leaning against the railing,looked equally astonished.

Breaking the silence, Lillian exclaimed, throwing her hands up, "When will you apply that brilliant business acumen to other areas of life? You're always so logical and strategic at work. Yet, with personal matters? How can all your genius just vanish so completely?"