Chapter 299

Just as Joyce leaned forward, someone yanked her back.

Cedric's gaze was icy, filled with a chilling indifference.

Tears streaked down Joyce's face as she looked at him miserably.

Never in her wildest thoughts had she imagined that Cedric, of all people, would be the one to pull her back from the edge.

"Cedric,let me go! I want to die!"

Cedric dragged her inside and dropped her to the floor,treating her like nothing more than a burden.

Despite his harshness, Joyce felt a strange softening in her heart.

Just moments before, she had been lost in a haze,almost ready to end it all.

Now she was terrified just thinking back on it.

Her fear made her vulnerable. She stared up at Cedric.

His eyes were razor-sharp, like an eagle's, radiating the authority of someone in command.

Seeing him like this stirred something in her.

She bit her lip, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, attempting to mimic how Katrina used to flirt with Caiden.

"Cedric, you saved me."

Had this villa not been the one Brylee left to Daniela,Cedric might have kicked her off the roof.

But Joyce remained completely oblivious to Cedric's true thoughts.

Lowering her voice, she asked, "Cedric, you do care about me, don't you?" He remained silent, offering no response.

Undeterred, Joyce pressed on, "If you didn't care,you wouldn't have followed me up here. You saw l was struggling and came after me. I've noticed you sneak little glances my way. You do like me, don't you? I know I'm not as beautiful or accomplished as Daniela. Cedric, I'm willing to be your mistress if you help me pay off the hundred million I owe. My child and I will belong to you completely."

With newfound resolve, she reached out to hug him.

The feel of his solid form against hers sent a surge of excitement through her.

Joyce opened her eyes, puckered her lips, and leaned in, but before she could make contact, a hand suddenly pressed firmly against her forehead.

"Joyce, what nonsense is running through that head of yours?"

Joyce froze in place, her gaze landing on Daniela.Confusion clouded her mind. "Where's Cedric? He cares about me. Where did he go?"

"Daniela, you can't stop us, no matter how rich or powerful you think you are. You can't stand in the way of two people who truly love each other!"

Daniela scoffed, a scornful laugh escaping her lips."Katrina's still in the hospital, and you're here acting like this is some trashy romance novel? I'm warning you, if you want to die, do it somewhere else. Don't dare to ruin my home. Even if you die, I'll step over your body."

Joyce pressed her lips together, holding back her frustration. "Then give me a hundred million, or I'll pester Cedric. I've got nothing to lose, so why should I care about my reputation?" She had reached the end of her rope.

Daniela sneered. "You're expecting the debt collectors soon, aren't you? Go ahead and waste whatever time you have left chasing Cedric."

Joyce's face drained of color. "Why don't you go visit Katrina in the hospital?Maybe she'll take care of it for you," Daniela suggested.

At the mention of Katrina, Joyce hesitated and glanced at Cedric, who had somehow ended up standing behind Daniela.

She gritted her teeth and walked away.

After she had gone, Cedric let out a sigh of reliefand pulled Daniela close with an arm around her. "Crazy woman. I honestly thought I might end up tainted by her kiss."

Daniela chuckled, patting his hand reassuringly."|t′S fine. As your wife, I'm here to protect you."

Cedric's eyes sparkled with a new light.

It was the firsttime Daniela had referred to herself as his wife.

He pressed his lips to her soft neck, his voice low as he murmured, "As your husband, I intend to exercise my rights." Just as he finished speaking, Lillian, who had just come upstairs, quickly spun around on her heel."Sorry, I didn't hear anything. I just heard the maid mention Joyce might try to jump off the villa, so l rushed up. I didn't hear a word."

Meanwhile, on her way to the hospital, Joyce tried reaching out to several of her old friends.

Most of them hung up before she could even finish a sentence.

Some so-called friends had no qualms in telling her,"Just find a rich guy to look after you. Stop pretending you're above it all. It's a quick way to earn money."

Joyce wasn't even remotely interested in such a suggestion.

Despite everything she'd been through,her heart still longed for love.

Perhaps if she met someone like Cedric-someone accomplished-it could be different. But she found wealthy benefactors thoroughly unattractive.

Her self-respect meant more to her than any sum of money.

Daniela's words echoed in her mind. Maybe Katrina could help fix everything.

After all, Katrina had always been the one to pick up the pieces when she made a mess of things.

Daniela might have money, but she had her mother,who would go to any lengths for her.

Before she got out of the car, Joyce called Alexander."We were married once. I was tricked, and now you owe me. You should help me out."

Before Alexander had a chance to say anything,Richard snatched the phone out of his hand. "Joyce,you've got some nerve! Do you even realize how much you've dragged our family down? We got delisted because of your scandals. Our business has fallen back fifty years. I can't even go out in public anymore, and you still have the audacity to ask for money? Why didn't those goons just finish you off already?"

The line went dead with a sharp click as the call abruptly ended.

Staring at the blank screen of her phone, Joyce was overwhelmed by a deep sense of dejection. With a heavy heart, she pushed open the door to Katrina's hospital room.

Katrina, looking drained and fragile, caught sight of her and felt a sharp headache building.

"Mom, have you come up with a plan? The debt collectors are going to be here soon."

Katrina sighed deeply. "Why do you always make me worry so much?"

Joyce stuck her tongue out playfully. "If you can't get the full amount, try for half, at least."

Katrina glanced at Joyce's foolish expression,wishing she had known better from the very beginning. "Half is fifty million. Don't you understand

how tight things are right now?"

Joyce's throat tightened as she swallowed. "So, what do we do?"

Sitting on the bed, Katrina glanced at a text from her mother. "There's a man named Doug Fairburne.I told him you need money, and he said he's willing to help.If you keep him company, he'll transfer the funds right away."