Chapter 476

Daniela had checked with Cedric's secretary, and Cedric would attend tonight's charity auction.

So, the moment Daniela wrapped up work, she went straight to Phillips Group.

Cedric's secretary met her downstairs and escorted her up. As they reached his office, she caught his voice mid-conversation."You still can't find it?"

The reply was too faint to hear, but Cedric's face tightened,disappointment flickering in his eyes.

"Alright, thanks. Let me know if anything else comes up," Cedric said,ending the call.

Then,he turned around and noticed Daniela standing at the door, unsure of when she had arrived.

Daniela stepped inside. "What are you searching for?"

Cedric knew she hadn't heard much. He tightened his grip on his phone and shook his head. "Nothing important."

Daniela's lips curved. "You're going to the auction,right? I came to get you."

Cedric's fingers pressed into his phone. He was direct-sometimes,being tough was necessary to make things clear.

He knew that well.

But when he met Daniela's steady gaze, the words caught in his throat.

His voice dropped in frustration. "Daniela..."

Daniela only smiled at him.

Cedric exhaled."We're still fighting."

Daniela nodded, unbothered. "I know. Forgiving me too fast feels too easy. doesn't it? You're still not satisfied, That's fine-I can keep pacifying you."

Cedric felt his resolve slipping. Daniela was flawless.except for one thing-she was just as stubborn as he was.

"I don't need you to pacify me, Daniela.I just want to know-who are you really after? Don't tell me it's just Natalie and Elyse."

To Daniela, Natalie and Elyse were nothing.

If she was being this careful, there had to be a reason.

And the way she had rejected him before-cold and absolute-told him there was something bigger lurking beneath. Cedric was sharp. Lying to him was pointless. She wasn't going to lie, but she wasn't ready to tell the whole truth either. Instead, she repeated what she'd told him a dozen times before. "Just wait a little longer.I'll tell you everything."

Cedric sighed, that familiar frustration washing over him.

He had run out of options.

Once Daniela made a decision, nothing could change it.

Not even him.

Cedric knew he wasn't her exception and that realization cut deeper than he expected.

"Then I won't be attending the charity auction with you tonight."

Cedric's anger simmered beneath the surface.

He could never understand why Daniela had to be so stubborn.

In that moment, he was sure-he didn't matter to her at all.

Daniela bit her lip, hesitated, then stood up with a light chuckle. "Well... alright. I'll leave. Don't be upset."

Her words struck a nerve, igniting what little patience he had left.Cedric let out a sharp laugh, his eyes dark with frustration. "Do you even care if I'm upset? Acting like you're doing me a favor-it doesn't make me happy at all."

For the first time, Cedric truly lost his temper with Daniela.

Daniela froze. She wanted to comfort him,but she didn't know how.

She had lost her mother at five, and from that moment,she never learned how to comfort anyone.

She didn't know how to make Cedric happy or how to ask him to wait just a little longer.

So she said nothing.

With Alexander, money had been enough to buy peace.But with Cedric,it wouldn't work.

He'd see it as an insult.

But she didn't know any other way.

So she pressed her lips together, forcing back a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Then..." She blinked, her vision burning. "I'm sorry."

She had nothing else to offer.

Other than an apology, she had nothing to give Cedric.

She stepped back, unable to even pretend to smile She turned and left,leaving Cedric's secretary in shock.

"Mr. Phillips, what are you doing? You were anxiously waiting for her to come, and now that she's here,why are you pushing her away with such harsh words?"

No one had ever seen Daniela look so lost. One of the wealthiest people in the world, yet she had no idea how to comfort the man she loved.

The secretary frowned. "Mr. Phillips, that was cruel."

Cedric lowered his eyes, his jaw tightening. He had already taken the first step-hesitating now would only make him look weak. So, he braced himself and took the second.

He tightened his grip on his phone, frustration twisting in his chest. When he looked up, his expression was cold, unreadable. "Tonight, have Lydia Vargas accompany me to the charity auction."

The secretary's eyes widened in disbelief. "Have you lost your mind?"

Lydia Vargas was a fresh-faced starlet under Phillips Group's entertainment division.

She was bold in her actions, even bolder in her wardrobe. Rumors swirled that she had only signed with Phillips Group to get closer to Cedric.

She had even declared in interviews that her only I was towin him over. In the entertainment industry, moral standards were often flimsy, and so-called principles were easily cast aside.

It didn't matter if someone was married, as long as they got what they wanted-power,wealth, a name.

"Mr. Phillips, why don't you just talk to your wife? Is provoking her like this really a good idea?"

Concern etched across the secretary's face.