Chapter 780

Nikolas clenched his fists. "You're insane, Daniela!Seriously,have you lost it?"

She tilted her head and smiled. "Oh? Is that what you think?"

He opened his mouth, ready to answer.

In his head, one thing was clear-Hamilton never bowed to anyone.

"This is on me. My dad has nothing to do with it."

Daniela stayed steady, her words measured. "Sure, it's your mess. But let's not forget who raised you. Nikolas,the influence you carry-who handed that to you? It all pointed back to Hamilton. A kid mirrors the one who raised him. And manners? They come from home.Weren't you the one who told everyone Cedric was just a bastard son with no manners to speak of? Now,I want everyone to see who's really unfit. There's nothing left to discuss. Unless Hamilton owns up to this, I'll make sure McCoy Group keeps sinking."

Nikolas shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass."I did call Cedric a bastard son, and I meant every word. My father's never going to apologize Daniela, back off. Push me any further and you'll see just how cruel I can be!"

She didn't even flinch. She gave a slow nod. "Is that so?Then I'd like to see what cruelty looks like on you."

Burning with rage, he turned on his heel and left.

What threw him off was what happened later that night-Hamilton sent Daniela an invitation.

She tossed it aside. But Hamilton wasn't the type to let things go.

He came knocking himself

He greeted her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Daniela, you do know how to keep someone waiting

Can we speak somewhere private?"

Daniela didn't respond. She just stared at him.

He tried again. "Cedric's caught up, so it's just you and me. I've booked a table at my restaurant. Would you share a meal with me?"

She raised a brow and replied coolly, "Sorry. These days, I eat where I call the shots. My restaurant serves the best meals anyway. This one's on me. Let's go."

Hamilton's smile twitched, stiffening until it looked more like a grimace.Any other day, he would've snapped by now. But today,he bit it back.

He gave a small gesture with his hand. "Alright. I'll go with what you've planned."

They walked together toward the newly opened restaurant.

Daniela skimmed the menu without a hint of hesitation.

She'd been drowning in work all week, so she decided to try some of the new dishes while she had the chance.

Daniela ate like she had all the time in the world, while Hamilton didn't touch a thing.

McCoy Group's stock had crashed hard that morning.It caught him completely off guard.

If the downward spiral didn't stop, he would lose his title as the world's richest person.

"Daniela, you've been in Oiscoll long enough to know how things work here. I won't waste your time. I came because I need this whole thing to stop. Like it or not,Cedric belongs to the McCoy family. He's my son just as much as the others. This is spiraling out of control.People are starting to mock it. Let's put this behind us.Can we agree on that?"

Daniela forked up a bite of vegetables and took her time chewing. She gave a small nod

The last thing he expected was her agreeing so fast He almost smiled-until she spoke again. "I've got terms."

That wiped the smile clean off his face. "We're family Why would we need terms?"

She didn't react to his words. "Nikolas came to see me earlier. I told him I want you to apologize in person.Not to me. To Cedric. Second, I didn't come to Oiscoll by chance. Hand me the culprit. Then we're done."

Hamilton's face dropped.

Just the first demand was a blow. He couldn't bring himself to apologize to anyone.

And as for her second demand? There was no way he could meet it.

His voice turned sharp. "Daniela, this is ridiculous.Why are you doing this? Does it mean nothing to you that Cedric is my son?"

Daniela let out a soft laugh, barely amused. "He only has a grandmother who brought me up."

She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Hamilton."You never raised him. Not even once. Now that he's here, have you ever cared for him? Have you ever acknowledged him from the bottom of your heart?You're just weighing the benefits. You're observing whether he meets your expectations for a good son.You're measuring him like a product. If he fits your mold,you'll call him your son. But if he doesn't, he stays the bastard son Nikolas claimed. The one reporters whisper about. The son you refuse to name.Cedric doesn't mind all this, but I do. I've got a temper, and I hold grudges. So don't pretend this family bond is set in stone. That excuse won't fly with me."

Hamilton couldn't say anything. Fury had stolen his words.

His secretary, standing nearby, looked like he'd seen a ghost.

Daniela had openly challenged Hamilton

The secretary stepped outside fast and dialed Nikolas,repeating everything he'd heard.

"Mr. McCoy turned pale. That's how angry he was.He didn't even touch his food. Reporters caught us as we left. Daniela made a joke, said your dad was too scared to eat his own restaurant and now dines at hers instead. Then she smiled for the cameras and posed with him. The photo's already viral. People online are tearing him apart. They're saying if even the owner avoids his own restaurant, there must be something shady going on. Daniela knows exactly what she's

doing. She made her restaurant look like the best in town without lifting a finger. When I walked out,I heard your father giving new orders. He wants the whole team eating only at McCoy Group's restaurant for the next month. Media included. All just to save face."

The secretary shivered, remembering it all. Daniela wasn't just smart. She was terrifying

"Nikolas, take my advice. Stop going against Daniela.Even your father couldn't walk away unscathed. If you keep going after her, I have no clue what she'll do next. But if she keeps this up, your father is going to lose it. Since he refuses to admit Cedric's his son, let's stop stirring the pot."