Chapter 210 What the heck are you doing here?

Chapter 210: Chapter 210 What the heck are you doing here?

He continued, his chest heaving. "Don’t stand here now and pretend I dragged you into that marriage against your will."

Cedric’s expression tightened. His jaw clenched and his hands curled into fists at his sides.

"Grandpa, I—"

Before he could continue, Jenna suddenly stepped forward and caught his arm. Her fingers dug into his sleeve and her grip was firm, almost painful.

"Cedric, enough!"

Her voice was sharp enough to stop him immediately and Cedric turned toward her in disbelief.

"Mom?"

"Enough of your drama," Jenna said, her expression hard. Her eyes were cold, and her lips were pressed into a thin line. "You don’t respect your grandfather anymore? Look at how you’re speaking to him."

Cedric’s eyes widened. His mouth opened but no words came out.

"You... you..."

He couldn’t believe she was taking Grandpa James’s side, not her own son.

Jenna didn’t give him a chance to argue. She leaned closer and lowered her voice so only he could hear.

"You don’t want the share at all?"

Cedric froze. His entire body went rigid.

Jenna’s eyes remained fixed on him. "Because if you don’t, your cousin is more than happy to take it."

The moment she mentioned his cousin, Cedric’s entire expression changed. His anger disappeared. His face went blank, then pale, then hard. His lips pressed into a thin line and his eyes flickered with something dark.

For a few seconds, he simply stood there. The name had been enough to remind him of everything he had been trying to secure all these years. His grandfather’s trust. His position in the family. His share of the property. The future he had carefully protected.

He couldn’t afford to throw everything away now. . Not because of Daisy. even if he was suddenly terrified of losing her.

Jenna watched the realization settle over his face. Her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile that she quickly hid.

Cedric finally lowered his eyes. His shoulders stiffened and the fight seemed to drain out of him.

"Let’s go," he muttered.

James looked at him coldly. His eyes were hard, and his jaw was tight.

"So now you’re ready?"

Cedric didn’t answer. He simply turned away, his face sullen, his hands shoved into his pockets as he walked toward the door. His footsteps were heavy and his shoulders were hunched.

Jenna followed him. As they passed Daisy, Cedric’s eyes briefly moved toward her. She was standing silently, watching him. Her hands were clasped in front of her and her expression was unreadable.

For a second, he almost stopped. His feet slowed, and his breath caught in his throat. He wanted to say something. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t want this divorce. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t know what he was feeling, but that something inside him was breaking.

But his mother’s words were still echoing in his mind.

Your cousin is more than happy to take it.

His expression hardened again. His jaw tightened and his eyes went cold.

He looked away and continued walking.

Behind him, James watched his grandson leave with a deeply disappointed expression. His shoulders slumped, and his old eyes were filled with a sorrow that seemed to age him by years.

The drive to the courthouse was filled with an uncomfortable silence.

Grandpa James sat in the front, looking unusually serious. His hands rested on his knees and his eyes were fixed on the road ahead. Every few minutes, he would glance at the rearview mirror, checking on Daisy, then look away again.

Margaret stayed beside Daisy, occasionally glancing at her as though she wanted to say something but didn’t know whether now was the right time. Her hand rested lightly on Daisy’s, offering silent comfort.

Cedric sat in the back, his expression unreadable. His body was tense, his shoulders rigid and his hands were clasped tightly in his lap. He had barely spoken since leaving the house. His eyes were fixed on the window but he wasn’t seeing the passing streets.

Jenna was beside him, and every so often she glanced at him, silently reminding him not to start another argument. Her eyes were sharp, warning him to keep his composure. Cedric didn’t need the reminder. His mind was already somewhere else.

He kept thinking about what was about to happen. The divorce. Daisy no longer being his wife...

He had spent the entire morning telling himself that he would simply get it done. Sign the papers, walk out and end everything. But his chest still felt painfully tight. His heart was beating too fast and his thoughts were a tangled mess he couldn’t unravel.

When the car finally reached the family court, Cedric stepped out and adjusted his shirt. He took a slow breath and then he looked ahead...and froze.

Across the entrance stood a familiar dark royal-colored car.

Alessio was leaning casually against it.

Cedric’s expression immediately changed. His jaw tightened and his hands curled into fists at his sides. The man’s appearance irritated him before Alessio had even said a word.

Unlike Cedric, who looked exhausted after spending the entire night awake, Alessio looked perfectly composed. His dark clothes were neat, his hair was carefully styled and his skin seemed unusually fresh under the morning light. He wore dark sunglasses, one hand resting casually in his pocket while the other held his phone.

He looked as though he had slept peacefully. As though he had actually taken care of himself. As though today wasn’t the day another man’s marriage was ending.

Cedric’s suppressed temper immediately flared. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Grandpa James had already stepped out of the car. He looked at Cedric calmly.

"I invited him."

Cedric turned toward him. "What?"

Before James could answer, Alessio noticed them. He pushed himself away from the car and removed his sunglasses. His green eyes immediately found Daisy.

For a brief second, his expression softened. His eyes lingered on her face, taking in her calm expression, the way she stood quietly beside Margaret. Then he walked toward them.

Cedric’s jaw tightened. The closer Alessio came, the more irritated he became.

"What the heck are you doing here?" Cedric demanded. His voice echoed slightly across the entrance.

Alessio stopped. He looked at Cedric without any visible reaction.

Before he could answer, James spoke sharply. "Don’t shout at him."