Chapter 451

For a brief moment, the drama took center stage, with gossip swirling around the room, completely overshadowing the auction.

"Isn't that Joyce? Daniela's stepsister?"

"Yeah, she's quite the piece of work. First, she took Alexander from Daniela, and now, Cedric. Seems like Joyce's plan is to steal men right from under Daniela's nose."

"It sure looks that way. But wasn't Cedric always indifferent to other women before? Why is he suddenly so close to Joyce, right in front of Daniela?"

"What a mess..."

The whispers grew louder, one voice cutting through."Look,Daniela's standing up."

Immediately, all eyes turned to the back row.

The auctioneer, visibly frustrated, watched as the drama unfolded. The crowd was too captivated to focus on the auction itself.

Right then, Daniela stood up, but Lillian quickly grabbed her arm.

Daniolo claneed ouor her face hetraving no emotion Lillian glanced around at the curious looks and whispered, "There are too many people here Confronting them now would be embarrassing. Why not wait and ask Cedric what's going on later?"

Daniela shook her head and made her way to the front row. "I need to see who that is."

Lillian followed,still confused. "Huh? Isn't that Cedric?Who else would it be? Daniela, there are too many eyes on us today. Maybe you should think about Cedric's dignity. This could just be a misunderstanding."

Daniela smiled at her suggestion. "No misunderstanding."

Just as Lillian was about to voice her surprise, Daniela continued, "No. It's not him."

Lillian gasped, but before she could say anything else.they saw "Cedric" suddenly stand up, fasten his suit,and walk off in a different direction.

Daniela froze for a moment and scrutinized the man once again.

Indeed, his face was undeniably identical to Cedric's.as was his demeanor, from the way he buttoned his suit to his confident stride as he walked away.

Before Daniela could inspect the man further,a sharp.taunting voice interrupted. "Look who it is, my high-and-mighty stepsister.What brings you here?"

Invce sat in the front row,legs crossed,swinging then with a smug smile on her face.

Lillian frowned,her voice growing sharp. "Who was that just now?"

Joyce couldn't help but feel pleased. With a sly smile she responded,"Why? Are you getting nervous?"

Joyce's voice rang out, loud enough to draw the attention of everyone in theroom,even pausing the auctioneer mid-sentence.

"Oh, the one who just walked out? That was Cedric Don't tell me you don't even recognize your own husband,Daniela."

Lillian couldn't hold back. "What nonsense are you spewing? That wasn't Cedric!"

"Are you really that sure?" Joyce patted her trousers as though wiping away invisible dust, wearing the same smug grin she'd had when she sabotaged Daniela's wedding with Alexander. "Sorry, Daniela, I didn't mean to. Blame Cedric for being too handsome."

Lillian rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward.delivering a sharp slap across Joyce's face.

Joyce's head snapped to the side, with blood trickling from her mouth.

In front of the stunned crowd, she began to sob."Daniela, you couldn't hold on to your man, so why blame me? Cedric and I are in love. Please, let us be together." Without waming,Joyce dramatically dropped to her knees before Daniela,her act in full swing.

Immediately,the crowd pulled out their phones.eager to capture the moment.

Before anyone could take a photo, Daniela grabbed Joyce by the arm and shoved her backstage.

The onlookers, craning their necks, could only catch a glimpse of Daniela's back as she disappeared behind the curtains.

As the audience dispersed. Joyce dropped her pretenses, a sneer curling on her lips. "What,Daniela?Are you scared I'll ruin your husband's reputation? But Cedric's already cheated on you. Why are you still defending him? Why not step aside and let me have him? Just like you did with Alexander, walking away without a second thought. Be as tough and quick as you were with him, making those men who hurt you regret it. Daniela, didn't you always act so bold and decisive?"

Joyce eyed Daniela, her phone hidden behind her back as she dialed a number.

Daniela noticed but didn't care in the slightest. "That wasn't Cedric."

Joyce paused for a beat, then burst into wild laughter."Daniela, I never imagined you'd end up like this. You can't even face the truth. What's wrong? Have you really fallen for Cedric and can't bring yourself to let him go?"

"Yes," Daniela replied, standing firm under the harsh backstage lights. "I can't bear it, but that man wasn't Cedric."

Joyce crossed her arms, and a mocking smile played on her lips. "What makes you so sure? Everyone saw it; even your little lackey noticed."

Without hesitation, Lillian rushed over and slapped Joyce once more.

Joyce spat out a mix of blood and a tooth,glaring at Eillian with intense hatred. "Daniela, no matter how much you have people beat me, it won't change the fact that the man just now was Cedric."

Daniela responded, "You already know the truth.don't care what you're up to, but I suggest you stop.This tooth is your warning. Next time, it won't just be a tooth."

With that, Daniela gave Joyce a cold look and walked away.

As soon as she was out of sight,Joyce slammed her fist down onto the table in frustration.

The call was still connected. Joyce grabbed the phone and spoke into it. "Did you hear that, Alexander? Back then, Daniela had no problem moving on from you,but now with Cedric, she can't let go. Even though it's so obvious, she doesn't have the guts to admit it.If you were here, you'd see the look on Daniela's face She doesn't love you; she only loves Cedric. So, the only way you'll stay close to her is if you're Cedric."

On the other end of the line, Alexander's voice was icy. "I'll stay by Daniela's side for life, even if it means living as Cedric."