Chapter 250

Shirley's face blanched upon hearing the news.

She had always sensed something unusual about Daniela and Cedric's interaction, and now it seemed there was a deep bond between them.

Eager for answers, Shirley quickly sought out Katrina to discuss her concerns.

"You're reading too much into it" Katrina remarked assuredly while tending to her flowers. "Their relationship is purely platonic. Consider how Daniela treats Ryan. She's kind to him as well. They couldn't be married. If there were, Daniela wouldn't keep it hidden. Why should she hide Cedric?"

Shirley wasn't entirely convinced by Katrina's reassurances.

"Listen," Katrina added, "Daniela is much like her mother-hard to understand, but deeply loyal once you get to know her. I was merely a servant, yet Brylee treated me like family. Some people genuinely go out of their way for those they value."

This trust had enabled Katrina to marry Caiden.

"If there was anything official between them, given their prominence, it wouldn't remain a secret. They just share a close bond."

Shirley nodded, though her gaze drifted back upstairs, wondering about the allure of Daniela's room that kept Cedric returning so often.

Lillian shared her confusion. "Something's really off," she commented to Ryan, who was seated on the floor,immersed in his coding.

"What's up?" Ryan asked distractedly.

"Daniela and Cedric have been acting oddly lately."

"Really?" Liflian explained, "They're distant in public but seem close at home, watching TV together. I initially thought they might have quarreled, but Cedric spends hours In Daniela's room."

Ryan, having stayed up all night working on a complex programming task, multitasked between coding and responding to Lifian without breaking his focus.

Lillian nudged Ryan, asking, "What's going on with them? Are they fighting or getting closer?"

Ryan dismissed the idea with a shake of his head. "No way, those two can't really fight."

"Are they together then?" Lilian speculated.

Again, Ryan shook his head. "Daniela's not easy to win over. Cedric would need a decade at least to make any headway."

At that moment, Cedric descended the stairs, overhearing the tail end of Ryan's remarks.

He cleared his throat, feigning irritation. "What's this now? I'm just trying to get some work done.Why bring me down? Do you really think I'm that hopeless? Ten more years? How old do you think I'll be?"

Lillian caught sight of Cedric and felt a familiar twinge. She whispered to Ryan,"Did you see how Cedric just smiled? It's rare to see him smile that broadly."

Ryan,preoccupied with a remote meeting, didn't notice. He responded nonchalantly, "Yeah, he's been smiling more often lately. It's not that unusual."

Lillian sensed something amiss.

After taking a shower, Cedric was about to head upstairs to see Daniela.

As he opened the door, Lillian's gaze followed every move. "Heading upstairs again?" she called out.

Cedric halted, then turned back, walking towards the living room instead. He casually picked up the remote."No, just planning to watch some TV."

Lillian squinted, skeptical. "Really? You seemed pretty set on going upstairs."

Cedric, who had initially wanted to go up but knew Daniela preferred to keep things discreet, turned to the television and responded cryptically, "You must be imagining things."

Lillian frowned. "I'm not the one with illusions, Cedric. Just be careful with Daniela."

Cedric smiled to himself, reflecting inwardly. He wasn't there to cause trouble. He was utterly enchanted by her.