Chapter 642

The crowd froze, then inhaled sharply

Compensation?

What exactly was Joyce after?

Money,of course.

Joyce and Daniela weren't real sisters. Their bond never reached the heart. It was all about the gains.

Everyone turned to Joyce. Their faces were sharp with judgment.

Heat rushed to her head, and the veins on her forehead stood out.

That awful feeling came rushing back.

Now she just felt humiliated again.

Daniela always seemed to ruin her plans like it took no effort at all.

Joyce had tried to set her up. But in the end, she and Jack were the ones who got burned.

Jack heard the whispers floating through the crowd. His cheeks turned red, and he lashed out, spitting at the onlookers.

That single move made people turn on him. Any sympathy he'd earned by kneeling for hours disappeared.

"Why's that boy so disrespectful?"

"Seriously.What kind of values did Joyce teach him?"

"A kid like that shouldn't get a cent from Elite Lux."

"He's completely ungrateful. Daniela could pour her heart into him, and he still wouldn't stand by her."

"They're clearly just here to grab some money."

"If that's the case, Daniela might as well adopt someone else. Better to raise a child who doesn't already have a mother whispering greed into his ear.That kid wants a shortcut to wealth without lifting a finger."

"Yes! Exactly!"

One voice burst out louder than the rest, yelling at Daniela, "We're with you. Pick a new heir. Adopt someone who'll actually care. That child would treat you better than Jack ever could!"

Daniela looked nothing like she did three years back. She stood in the middle of the crowd, slim and pale,like the wind could knock her over.

People's eyes softened when they looked at her.

She turned her gaze to Joyce, who was fuming,then dropped her head.

Wasn't this all for show?

She knew how to play that game too.

"That's what I figured." Daniela tilted her face downward, her voice shaking just enough."But they keep dragging me back into it. You all saw what just happened. Jack didn't even recognize me, yet Joyce went around telling people he slept with my photo beside him every night. I've never even met Jack.Most of you know I've been sick. I can't have kids. And when I was at my lowest, the people closest to me didn't show up. They were too busy trying to split what little I had left."

Daniela's eyes glistened. "Even something as small as helping children becomes a problem. They call it a waste. But it's not. Not to me." She stepped over to the principal. "Sorry for the scene earlier.Please don't worry. Even if Jack and the rest shut me out, I won't stop. I'll keep helping the kids in need."

Her voice trembled as she finished, her eyes faintly red. The camera didn't miss a thing.

In seconds, the crowd buzzed with excitement.

Reporters jumped on it like they'd been waiting all day

People online couldn't stop talking about what just happened.

With all eyes on her, Daniela gave a deep bow."Thanks, everyone. Let's wrap this up. Don't be too harsh on Joyce and Jack. They're just looking out for themselves."

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she walked away.She looked completely drained.

Everyone watching her felt a pang of guilt. In their eyes,she had shown nothing but grace.

By the time night rolled in, her story had taken over the internet.

Elite Lux stocks shot through the roof.

Her years of quietly helping kids get an education came to líght.

People couldn't stop praising her.

At the same time, they tore into Joyce.

Back at her office, Daniela sat on the couch, eyes flicking to the climbing stock charts. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

Cedric stepped in and found her lounging with her phone in hand.

She blinked, caught off guard by his red eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

He'd seen the news. He had raced over, thinking she'd be curled up in tears.

But instead, there was a table stacked with fresh fruit,sushi, and desserts laid out neatly.

She'd just won a round and was grinning like a kid.

From the other end of the game, Lillian yelled,"Daniela, move already! Hurry up! Ryan, you better cover me!"

Without taking her eyes off the screen, she motioned to the seat nearby. "Have a seat. I'll finish this match."

Cedric did as she said, quiet as ever.

Patience came naturally to him.

He watched her closely. For someone the world assumed was falling apart, she looked anything but sad. The game ended. Ryan and Lillian begged for another round.

Cedric grabbed his phone and joined them.

Ryan groaned. "Cedric? Seriously? Don't slow us down with your ancient skills!"

Cedric glanced at Daniela, then said under his breath,"I'll do what I can."

And just like that, they were back in the game.

It didn't take long for Daniela to notice. Cedric moved in sync with her like he could read her mind.

He covered her at every turn, making the whole match smooth.

When the round ended, Ryan and Lillian had had enough. "We're out. You're not even playing for real.You're just flirting."

Then their avatars disappeared from the screen.

Daniela set down her phone.

Cedric's eyes still carried a hint of red.

She thought back to how he looked when he first arrived, and let out a soft laugh. "Cedric, you're kind of a softie."