Chapter 682

Nikolas froze, momentarily caught off guard by what had just slipped out of his mouth.

He blurted out, "Think it's too late to break my leg now?"

Daniela arched a brow, momentarily startled.

Nikolas continued, "What if I make it two?"

For some reason, Nikolas had a feeling that if he could win Daniela's favor, he could win the leadership of the McCoy family.

No matter what, he was going to get on Daniela's good side.

Before Daniela could open her mouth, a cold chuckle sliced through the air from the doorway. "What was that?"

Nikolas spun around to find Cedric standing at the doorway, his expression carved from ice.

"I said nothing at all."

Cedric let out a dry chuckle, stepping toward Nikolas."Really? I could've sworn I heard you volunteer to break your leg. No need to trouble my wife-allow me."

Without another word, Cedric grabbed Nikolas and hauled him out.

Nikolas' wails trailed down the hallway.

As long as Cedric wouldn't get hurt, Daniela saw no reason to step in.

She summoned Carol. "Find out how Ghost got taken down."

Aiding Cedric meant protecting her own interests.

Whoever had helped Cedric had earned a debt from her. It was only fair she uncovered their identity. Daniela never left a debt unpaid.

Carol responded, "We've looked into it. It was Zahir,

Lone Wolf's boss."

Daniela frowned. "Lone Wolf? Didn't they declare

long ago that they were leaving the underworld

behind for business? Why are they suddenly

resurfacing?"Carol scratched her head. "Beats me. And now

there's this boss? | didn't even know Lone Wolf

answered to anyone."

Daniela ordered, "Dig up everything you can on

Zahir."

Carol nodded. "We're looking into it. Must be

someone powerful. But why would they go out of

their way to help Cedric with something this serious?

This isn't something that can be explained by mere

business ties. Ghost is a notorious underworld figure

-the second-ranked assassin, right after you-yet

he was taken down just like that. Everyone's

speculating about the true identity of this Zahir. Could it be another woman who harbors feelings for Cedric?"

Daniela blinked."What?"

Carol explained, "Think about it. You're Cedric's wife,so naturally, you'd protect him, right?"

Daniela considered for a beat before nodding.

Carol continued, "Other than a wife, there's family.But Cedric's an orphan, and his grandmother can't even walk. So that leaves what? Only someone who truly loves you would risk their life for you.Remember when Alexander left? He said you'd know who cared most because they'd be willing to lay it all on the line for you. Love means removing danger from someone's path."

At the mention of Alexander, Daniela's expression darkened.

Carol hurriedly added, "I know it's blunt, but the logic holds. That's what matters."

When Cedric returned, he immediately noticed the way Daniela was looking at him-different, almost questioning.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

Out of nowhere, a wild thought struck Daniela."Cedric,do you know Ghost?"

A sudden draft swept in, and Cedric nearly choked."What?Who?"

Daniela instantly regretted asking.

"Cedric could never be Zahir. What secret could he possibly be hiding from her? With his polished,sophisticated demeanor, how could he be the leader of Lone Wolf?"

"Forget it," Daniela muttered, shifting her focus back to her files. "I want strawberries. Go wash some for me."

Without hesitation, Cedric left.

From the sidelines, Nikolas let out a cold chuckle.

"Daniela, even you misjudge things sometimes? If Cedric turns out to be Zahir, I'll eat my damn hat!"