Chapter 192

Caiden, seemingly offended by the term "business proposition," conducted himself in a completely transactional manner.

Taking a sip of his coffee, Cedric asked, "How much do you want?"

Caiden's face brightened at the question. Laughing lightly, he said, "You're more generous than Alexander, Cedric. I'm not asking for much,just this amount."

He raised a finger.11Ahundred million. That's reasonable,right?"

Cedric didn't say a word, casting a calm glance at Caiden.

Caiden tried to read Cedric's impassive expression but found no clues. Was the price too high? Uncertain, Caiden averted his eyes. "If that's too much, I'm open to negotiating."

Cedric took another slow sip of his coffee,maintaining his composure.

Caiden, watching Cedric's unhurried movements,pressed his lips together. "How about eighty million,then?"

Cedric glanced at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Hesitating, Caiden added, "Still too much? Cedric,Daniela is worth more than that, isn't she? I wouldn't be proposing this if I didn't urgently need the money.I could offer this opportunity to many others, but I'm giving you the first chance because | think you're a good man."

As his situation grew dire, Caiden became visibly more desperate. The luxurious lifestyles of Katrina and Joyce had left him under significant financial pressure. "Then my final offer is fifty million. Consider it,Cedric. Daniela is beautiful, and nothing significant occurred between her and Alexander. She's still pristine. Isn't fifty million a modest sum for someone like her? Raising Daniela wasn't easy. For what I'm asking, it's a bargain."

Cedric's face turned colder, his displeasure evident.

Caiden, overly eager, didn't notice the shift in the conversation.

"So, you're suggesting this is like a payment for marriage?" Cedric broke his silence, attempting to clarify.

Caiden paused momentarily, not fully grasping Cedric's subtle change indirection. He dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "Cedric, you're reading too much into it. How could this possibly be a payment? No, this is entirely different. Marriage and business deals should not be conflated."

Cedric responded with a thoughtful "Okay," as his expression turned serious. "Let's be clear, Cedric. If you're genuinely considering a future with Daniela, fifty million won't suffice." It dawned on Caiden that he could benefit not just from Joyce but from Daniela as well.

Excited by the prospect, Caiden engaged more intensely. "You have feelings for Daniela, don't you?I've seen how you've always cared for her since your childhood."

Cedric's gaze slowly lifted, his face unreadable.

In the sunlight, Caiden's features appeared calculating and cold, his attitude opportunistic as he chuckled. "You're the boy who grew up playing with Daniela in the garden, right?"

From a distance, Lillian observed Caiden lead Cedric into a cafe at an intersection.

She quickly went to inform Daniela.

Without delay, Daniela set aside her phone and made her way to the cafe.

Lillian guided her through the back,seating her at a table adjacent to Cedric and Caiden's.

The tables were separated by a thin partition wall,which obscured their view but allowed every word to be distinctly heard.

When Caiden said, "you're the boy who grew up playing with Daniela in the garden," Lillian noticed an unusual reaction-Daniela, typically calm, clenched her coffee cup tightly.