Chapter 787

Hamilton left without another word, a small group trailing behind him.

Left behind in the aftermath, the rest of the McCoy family stood in tense silence, eyes darting between one another.

Breaking the stillness, Nikolas finally spoke, his tone brittle with uncertainty."What Cedric said earlier... do you think he really meant all of that?"

Kohen didn't even blink. "You think he was faking it?He said it to Dad's face,loud and clear."

Charles exhaled deeply. "Back when Cedric claimed he had no interest in the fortune, I thought it was just an act. But now? I believe him."

Damon rubbed his brow. "Doesn't that just make us look like fools? The way we treated him... it was a joke."

Duran hesitated before chiming in, "Do you think Dad will actually retaliate? He seemed ready to do something."

That single question landed like a stone, dragging the entire room into silence. After a long moment, Nikolas responded, "I doubt it. I mean, Cedric is family. When I went into Dad's study earlier, I saw the paternity test report. Cedric is his biological son. You know how serious Dad is-he even brought a lawyer today. He wouldn't have done that if he had doubts."

Kohen crossed his arms, still tense. "Even so, I've never seen Dad that furious. Not once."

Charles looked down briefly, then spoke in a low voice "If he decides to come after Daniela and Cedric, what do you think he'll do?"

Damon's face darkened. "He won't hold back.He'll make Cedric wish he'd never walked away."

Those words landed hard.

Nikolas flinched. His expression tightened as a new thought crept in-if Hamilton really unleashed his fury on Cedric, what would happen to his own standing?

Whatever brief comfort Nikolas had felt was gone now -replaced by a gnawing sense of dread.

One by one, the brothers drifted off, each lost in his own tangle of worries.

Days passed quietly-at least on the surface. Then,trouble began to ripple outward. Daniela's restaurant came to a sudden standstill, struggling to acquire the most basic ingredients

Not long after, their construction froze as well.Materials ordered from Olisvine never arrived. No explanation. Just silence

Worry etched across his features, Nikolas called an urgent meeting with his brothers

"This situation is spiraling," he said, his voice low and heavy. "If things keep heading in this direction, it's only a matter of time before Daniela and Cedric fold under Dad's pressure."

Kohen's expression turned stormy. "And when that happens, the inheritance gets stretched thinner. One more name on the list."

"Not just one," Nikolas said sharply. "Cedric has a wife,and she's not exactly weak. If they ever decide to have a child, that kid would be Dad's first grandchild -automatically in line for the McCoy legacy."

The weight of that possibility hit the room hard,draining color from their faces.

"We have to act now," Nikolas continued, his tone firm."We need to force them out of Oiscoll before Dad wins them over."

No one protested-except Damon. The other four nodded without hesitation. Later that day, Damon happened to run into Daniela,and something about her presence caught him completely off guard

"You're actually Shim?" All this time, it had felt like some distant dream.Now, his idol was standing right in front of him.

Daniela gave a small nod.′′|there something you need?"

Damon, struggling to keep his emotions in check,said,"You've been someone I've looked up to for so many years, and that's wvhy I had to come warn you. You and Cedric need to leave as soon as possible. My father isn't the type to show any mercy. His tactics are far more ruthless than anything Nikolas would ever do.You won't be able to handle what he has planned.And it's not just him-the other brothers don't want you in Oiscoll either. The McCoy family holds enormous power here. You've provoked him, and because of that, there's no chance you'll be able to establish a successful business. Please, get out while you still have the chance"

A soft smile tugged at Daniela's líps. "I appreciate you coming to tell me. But I'm not going anywhere. I don't believe that I will lose."

Right then, a gust of wind swept through the street,catching strands of her long hair and lifting them into the air like a flag raised in quiet rebellion

Damon stood there, staring at her unshaken expression, and something settled inside him. There was no longer any doubt-she truly was Shim.