Chapter 678

Cedric caught a glimpse of Nikolas' face, lit up with mischief.

"Did you catch that?" Nikolas said, unable to hide his excitement. "Daniela admitted she keeps you around only because she feels guilty about your injury. She doesn't really love you."

Cedric's eyes widened slightly. This notion had crossed his mind before, but to hear it confirmed by Daniela herself was still a jolt to his heart.

Nikolas observed the shift in Cedric's demeanor,his smirk growing wider. "It's clear, Cedric, that love built on guilt isn't sustainabe. You must see that,right?"

Looking back at Nikolas slowly, Cedric questioned,"And why does this concern you? What interest do you have in my marriage? What's your angle?"

Laughing softly, Nikolas responded, "Why would I scheme anything? We're about to be business partners. I just don't want you tangled in feelings that aren't reciprocated."

"Really?" Cedrc's response was cold as he met Nikolas' gaze. "Absolutely." Nikolas affirmed with a nod. "Think about it, isn't it somewhat cruel to cling to someone out of guilt? Daniela acts so detached, it's clear she's not invested in love. Isn't it unjust to impose such a burden on her?"

Nikolas' eyes gleamed with mischief as he noticed the clouded expression on Cedric's face. He murmured,"True love allows her the choice,doesn't it?"

Cedric's response was a heavy silence.

Nikolas couldn't resist tending the fire further. "Just let her go, and if she returns, she's yours. Are you brave enough to test that with Daniela, Cedric? Or does fear betray your weakness?"

A sharp glare from Cedric cut through the tension."Your provocations won't work on me."

He then left Daniela's office briskly.

Though he dismissed Nikolas' insinuations as trivial,deep down,they stirred doubts.

Cedric was troubled by the thought that he might just be a burden to Daniela.

He meandered aimlessly, realizing more and more that since her return, Daniela had not really initiated any affection towards him.

It had always been him chasing after her, never the other way around.

He had not been fully excluded by her, yet her heart remained closed off to him.

Cedric bowed his head, consumed by a sense of rejection.

At that moment, Nikolas sent a message to Ghost."Cedric's left the Elite Lux building. Now's your chance.Take him out."

After sending the message, Nikolas smiled subtly,pleased with his own manipulativeskills.

Looking up, he caught Daniela's cold stare. "Why the smile?" she inquired sharply.

Nikolas' smile wavered. "Oh,nothing really."

The look in Daniela's eyes intensified, hinting at a deadly warning he didn't dare ignore.

"Where has Cedric gone?" Daniela asked.

He gestured vaguely towards the exterior. "He just stepped outside, maybe to the washroom."

Simultaneously, Daniela dialed the building's security."Has Cedric left the building?"

"Yes, he exited five minutes ago. He mentioned stepping out for a smoke," the guard responded

After ending the call, Daniela remained silent.

Nikolas quickly added, "He could be in the restroom,or perhaps he went for a smoke. It's quite typical."

The moment his words trailed off, Daniela's expression turned cold.

Suddenly,Nikolas felt a chilling presence envelop him,followed by a strong force pinning him against the cold wall.

Then, his throat was tightly gripped, and his feet left the floor in the next second.

His feet dangled helplessly as the air thinned around him,introducing him to the stark terror of suffocation.

Struggling to pry his eyes open amidst the shock,he was confronted by Daniela's steely, unemotional stare.

"You'll regret it if anything happens to Cedric. The McCoy family will pay dearly," Daniela replied coldly.

Overwhelmed by pain and disbelief,Nikolas could only gaze back at her.

At that instant, he experienced the deadly intent Ghost had once warned him about, emanating powerfully from Cealmaur's leader. Daniela then flung Nikolas down onto the couch. He hit the upholstery hard, his breaths ragged and desperate, as he grasped at the air he'd nearly lost.

Coughing violently, Nikolas struggled to regain his composure and upright posture.

However, despite his efforts to steady himself, his hands trembled uncontrollably on his knees.