Chapter 212

Daniela was testing the medical capabilities of the robot.

Just as she was monitoring its heart rate and blood pressure metrics, Cedric's sudden knock echoed through the softly lit room. He appeared, unusually drenched in sweat.

"What's got you looking like you've run a marathon?" Daniela inquired, noticing his sweaty brow and extending a paper towel his way.

Cedric looked at Daniela.

Barely holding his anxiety at bay, he felt a familiar pang of despair-he was reminded of the heartache he endured when she had married Alexander.

It was almost too much to bear.

He knew that life wouldn't grant him a second chance.

If he lost Daniela now, it would be a loss for eternity..

"Daniela, marry me," he blurted out.

The device in Daniela's hand slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor at his sudden proposal.

"You..." Daniela paused, her words trailing off. "What did you just say?"

A desperate plea was etched across Cedric's face. If he could see his own reflection, he imagined it would look both haunted and fraught.

"I said, let's get married."

Daniela, struggling to gather her thoughts, repeated, "You said..."

"Yes. Marriage. You and me!" Fumbling in his pocket, he produced a ring. "I've been holding onto this for some time. If you were willing to give Huntley a chance, why not me? Anything he promised, I can offer too. Remember the boy from your past who mattered so much? That boy was me. Choose me, Daniela."

Under the gentle illumination of the lamp, Daniela appeared to glow softly. "Why didn't you tell me sooner that you were the boy from my childhood memories?"

Cedric mopped the sweat from his brow, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I wanted to. But you had already married Alexander by then, and I wasn't sure how much you still held on to those memories. I feared it might seem like I was trying to manipulate your feelings. Besides, I left without saying goodbye."

Daniela studied his troubled features. "So why did you leave without telling me?"

Cedric's heart dropped.

Her demeanor was calm and unexcited even after discovering he was the boy she had once cherished. She was composed, unshaken.

He felt as if his heartfelt revelations could never sway her.

"My family was in turmoil. We moved away suddenly, and then, I ended up in an orphanage. When I finally came back, your relatives told me you had gone overseas."

Daniela was silent for a moment. "You've never mentioned this before. Why now?"

Cedric clenched his jaw. "Because you set a trial period with Huntley, didn't you? I'm scared, Daniela. I'm terrified that someone else might sweep you away from me."

Cedric gripped the ring box tighter. "If you gave Huntley a chance on day one, can't you do the same for me? We don't have to rush. Let me court you properly. When you're convinced, we can marry. Daniela,marriage shouldn't be impulsive. I want to offer you everything you deserve."

His voice conveyed a palpable urgency.

J

He was desperate, grappling for more persuasive words.

All he had was his sincere heart.

"I only have my grandmother left," Cedric continued, hastily pulling out a plastic folder. It was stuffed with property deeds. "Here's a list of my assets. I own eight top-tier estates, plus three hundred more properties across different cities. I also control nine companies and maintain over fifty active investments. It's all worth just over ninety billion. It's not much, but I promise to strive for more."

Just then, Lillian and Ryan stepped out from their respective rooms, freezing at the sight of Cedric laying his soul bare.

Ryan mouthed to Lillian, "What's happening?"

Lillian could only shrug, her eyes wide. "No clue. Looks like he's reached his breaking point!"

Cedric, driven by a sense of urgency,blurted out,"|promise, the secrets I kept before will never resurface.I swear to never lie to you again for as long as I live!"

Cedric's face was a mask of earnest sincerity, his heart pounding urgently. "Please give me a chance to prove how much I care."

Cedric felt he had laid everything on the line, yet Daniela showed no signs of immediate acceptance.

He was on the verge of despair when he finally heard her soft voice. "Okay, you got it."

Joy washed over him like a tidal wave. He blinked in disbelief, then asked hesitantly, "You'll let me court you?Really?You mean?"

Daniela hadn't expected to make such a decision.

From simply dating, to trying it out, or diving straight into marriage, he had chosen the most challenging path. Yet, he seemed genuinely elated.

Daniela offered a smile and nodded.-"Yes."

Cedric hurriedly pushed all his documents into Daniela's arms, then paused, realizing she was still busy."You're working, right? Carry on. I'll make sure to be a considerate suitor!"

He exited quietly, even closing the door softly behind him like a true gentleman.

Ryan and Lillian remained, squinting in puzzlement.What the hell was he thinking?

He had chosen to court out of three possible paths rather than rush into marriage.

Was Cedric joking?

As they were about to inquire further, they noticed someone standing at the staircase.

"Alexander?"

"Isn't it just agreeing to let you pursue her? What's there to be proud of?" Alexander smirked. "Do you know why Daniela didn't agree at first but suddenly did?"

Cedric turned to him. "What do you mean?"

With hands in his pockets, Alexander replied, "Because she saw me standing at the staircase. That's why she agreed. She doesn't like you. She agreed just to spite me. Cedric, you're celebrating too soon. You're a tool Daniela uses to needle me."