We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Ridley’s POV

The gala continued in full swing around me. Chicago’s social climbers clinked their wine glasses, exchanging manufactured laughter and transparent business propositions disguised as small talk. I drummed my fingers against the white tablecloth, my expression darkening

with each passing minute.

I checked my watch again. Cedar had been gone too long. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have set foot in this place.

My jaw tightened as I scanned the corridor where Cedar had disappeared. Something felt off. The Sterling instincts that had guided me through countless business negotiations were now sending warning signals.

“Looking for my sister, Mr. Sterling?”

Selena appeared beside my table, her smile practiced to perfection. She had mastered the art of appearing wherever she wasn’t wanted.

“Cedar’s still changing,” she continued, leaning slightly closer than propriety allowed. “I can show you to the dressing room if you’d like.”

“Lead the way,” I replied coldly, rising from my seat.

Selena walked ahead of me, her designer heels clicking against the marble floor.

The hallway grew quieter as we moved away from the ballroom. Selena stopped at one of the doors, knocking gently. When no answer came, she pushed it open with surprise.

“That’s strange. She was just here.”

I stepped past her into the room. Cedar’s handbag sat on the chaise lounge, but there was no sign of her. The air felt disturbed somehow, as if the room had witnessed something it shouldn’t have.

“She must have stepped out for a moment,” Selena said, closing the door behind us. The soft click of the latch sliding into place echoed in

the silent room.

I turned sharply, my eyes narrowing. “What are you doing?”

“Mr. Sterling–Ridley,” she corrected herself, her voice dropping to what she presumably thought was a seductive tone. “I think we should talk honestly about Cedar.”

I remained silent, watching her with the same cold assessment I’d use on a failing business proposal.

“My sister is beautiful, I can’t deny that. And she has a certain… charm,” Selena continued, moving closer. “But there’s so much you don’t know about her. Cedar has been through countless relationships since high school. Men come and go so quickly I can barely remember

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Chapter 100

their faces.”

My expression hardened further with each word.

She knows exactly how to charm powerful men like you. It’s what she does,” Selena’s voice took on a venomous quality. Even while she

was with you, she was seeing other men. She can’t help herself–she craves attention, validation…

I watched her advance, disgust rising in my throat.

“But I’m different,” she whispered, reaching for the strap of her gown. “I’ve admired you for years. I don’t have grand ambitions–I just

want to please you.”

The designer dress slipped to the floor, pooling around her feet. She stepped forward, completely bare, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Let me show you what real devotion feels like,” she murmured, approaching me with unearned confidence.

I extended my hand slowly, watching her lips curve into a triumphant smile–a smile that vanished the instant my fingers closed around

her throat.

“Where is Cedar?” My voice came out like ice cracking.

Her eyes widened in shock, hands clawing desperately at my grip. “I–I can’t breathe-”

“You have five seconds to tell me where she is before I crush your windpipe,” I stated calmly.

“I don’t-” she gasped, her face paling rapidly.

I tightened my grip incrementally, watching panic flood her eyes.

“Third floor–room 318,” she choked out.

I released her throat, and she collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. Without another glance, I strode toward the door.

Cedar’s POV

The private dressing room was quiet, removed from the buzz of the charity gala. I sat on the velvet bench, checking my watch again and wondering why Selena was taking so long with the dress she’d insisted I try.

Something about this entire situation felt wrong. The Wright family rarely did anything out of genuine kindness, especially not Selena.

The sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway drew my attention. Too heavy for Selena’s signature Louboutins. Instinctively, I rose and

moved toward the door.

I had barely reached the handle when it burst open, revealing a man in a dark suit–thick–necked, with hands like sledgehammers. Not

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Chapter 100

hotel staff, Definitely not a guest.

“Who are you- 1 started, backing away.

He moved with surprising speed, lunging forward with a white cloth in his hand. The sickly–sweet smell hit my nostrils as he pressed it against my face. Some kind of drug… I held my breath instinctively, but not before inhaling enough to make my head swim.

I bit down hard on my tongue, using the sharp pain to fight through the fog threatening to consume me. Even as my vision blurred, I kept my wits enough to track our movement–down a service corridor, into an elevator, third floor.

The man dragged me into a hotel room, tossing me onto the king–sized bed. I scrambled toward the headboard, fighting the

disorientation.

“Stay back!” I warned, my voice weaker than I intended.

He laughed, a sound like gravel being crushed. “Feisty one, aren’t you? Most women are out cold by now.” He moved to a dresser, retrieving several lengths of cord. “Guess we’ll have to do this the old–fashioned way.”

I tried to scramble off the bed, but my limbs felt like they were moving through molasses. He caught my ankle, yanking me toward him

with brutal efficiency.

“Let me go,” I demanded, struggling against his grip as he began binding my wrists to the bedposts. “Whatever Selena’s paying you, I’l

double it.”

His eyes traveled over me with disturbing intent. “Money’s nice, but some opportunities are priceless.”

The ropes bit into my skin as he secured them, leaving me spread–eagled on the bed. Panic surged through me, temporarily clearing the

chemical haze.

“People will be looking for me,” I said, forcing strength into my

voice.

“This entire floor is booked solid. No one’s coming to save you,” he growled, looming over me. “Now, we can do this easy, or we can do this rough. Your choice.”

I twisted my head, managing to sink my teeth into his forearm when he reached for my dress.

He howled, backhanding me hard enough to make stars explode behind my eyes. “You stupid bitch!”

I tasted blood, but held his gaze defiantly. My mind raced through options, calculating survival odds, searching for any potential weapon

or escape.

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