Chapter 727

The moment the word "wife" slipped out, Nikolas'brows tightened ever so slightly.

Given the tense circumstances, Cedric calling Daniela his "wife" feIt almost too personal-like stepping over an invisible line.

Nikolas always saw Cedric as dangerously smart-and that sharp intellect now made him uneasy.

When you tangled with the sharp-minded, one misstep could land you checkmated before you even saw the board.

Still, Nikolas knew he had no better option.

Of all people, Cedric was the,one man Daniela wouldn't want to hurt.

"I'm not asking you to do anything else," Nikolas said, his voice tight. "All I need is for you to keep Daniela in check." Cedric chuckled, the sound dripping with scorn,like he'd just heard the biggest joke of the century.

"I can give you something in return!" Nikolas blurted,panicking as Cedric turned to walk away.

Cedric didn't even flinch. To him, Nikolas had nothing of value-nothing worth staying for.

"Daniela!" Nikolas cried out, a last-ditch plea spilling from his throat.

Then, Cedric froze. He turned back slowly, eyes narrowing like a blade being drawn. "What did you just say?"

Nikolas jumped at the chance to respond, "I said Daniela! Cedric, she's lost her memories. Right now,to her, you're just another face in the crowd. Maybe there's a flicker of connection, but it's faint, barely there. And you know that better than anyone. You also know she's in the middle of sorting out Elite Lux's holdings. She's making plans to go to Oiscoll-with Charles by her side. You're not part of that plan,Cedric. She doesn't intend to bring you along. But if you work with me, you'll have every right to go with us to Oiscoll. And once you're there, you'll have the chance to win her back. Isn't that a better shot than waiting here? Daniela's forgotten everything. If she heads to Oiscoll alone, can you honestly sit back and feel at peace?"

Nikolas eyed Cedric's sharply defined profile and swallowed hard, nerves tightening in his throat.

"Cedric, believe me-I'm only asking you to help keep Daniela in check. That's all. I have no hidden agenda. This is strictly a McCoy family issue, and truthfully, her interference doesn't make sense. You love her deeply, don't you? Then I'm sure you'll think about what's best for her. You know how powerful and deeply rooted the McCoy family is. Even someone as capable as Daniela would be walking into danger alone, and you can't honestly say she won't get hurt."

Nikolas was banking on the hope that Cedric still had no idea Daniela led a mercenary force.

Nikolas paused before pressing on, "Daniela may be strong-willed, but at the end of the day, she's still just one woman. Asking her to face the McCoy family head-on-it's too much. I know she's going there to uncover the truth about her mother's death. I won't stop her. That doesn't interfere with my plans. In fact, I'mn even willing to help, as long as she stays out of the family's power struggles. I came to you because this helps you too. Call it an alliance with me if you want, but really, it's a way to keep her safe.Isn't that the smarter move?"

Nikolas genuinely believed his argument was airtight.

But after all that talking, Cedric's face didn't flinch-not ev/en a twitch.

Nikolas cursed under his breath. Just how stubborn could this couple get?

Tight-lipped, he asked, "So, what's your take?" His eyes clung to Cedric, desperate for even the slightest nod of agreement.

Cedric let out a frosty smirk. "Who do you think you're fooling?"

Nikolas' face hardened in aninstant. Cedric said evenly, "She's taking me with her."

Nikolas was momentarily stunned-he hadn't expected Cedric to sound so certain. "Daniela? You really think she's taking you? You're not even part of the plan she made with Charles. I checked the McCoy family's private jet manifest myself-your name's not on it. If she truly wanted you wwith her,would you still be standing here? Has she told you to pack? Given you any company tasks to wrap up?"

Nikolas was nearing his breaking point. "How does someone so sharp end up so completely blind when it ccomes to love?"

Daniela hadn't breathed a word about bringing him,yet Cedric clung to the idea like it was gospel.

Cedric didn't bother to reply. He just turned and walked off.

Nikolas stood there, mentally unraveling. He'd armed himself with every possible angle to win Cedric over.

But he hadn't anticipated this-Cedric's unshakable belief that Daniela would take him along. Where did he get that unbreakable trust?

Nikolas nearly lost it. He yelled after Cedric's retreating figure, "Come find me when you've changed your mind!"

Then, he muttered to himself, "Who knew the McCoy family could birth a lovesick fool?"