We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 112

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Chapter 112

Ridley’s POV

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My face remained impassive despite the throbbing pain radiating across my back. The acupuncture session should have lasted at least two hours, but the needles had been removed prematurely when I received the news about Aria going missing. The pain hardly registered then–my

mind consumed with finding my daughter.

Now that Aria was safe, the sensation returned with vengeance. It felt as hand into my pocket, maintaining my composure as I addressed Cedar.

someone was tearing the muscles beneath my skin. I slipped one

“So you believe you’re better qualified to care for Aria than Ms. Black?” My voice was deliberately measured.

“That’s not what I said!” Cedar immediately protested. “I met Aria once before at the amusement park. She was terrified of Ms. Black but felt compelled to follow her. That kind of environment is damaging to a child’s psychological development. She took a breath before continuing. “Mr. Sterling, I know this is your family business and I shouldn’t interfere, but Aria seemed so vulnerable. I couldn’t stand by watching her remain in what appears to be an unsafe situation…”

I narrowed my eyes, studying her face closely.

Under my scrutinizing gaze, Cedar suddenly stiffened, seeming to realize her misstep.

She was just an employee, yet here she was, meddling in her superior’s family affairs frequently.

Now she was suggesting Daisy Black should be removed from Aria’s life.

She’d touched a nerve.

Cedar bit her crimson lips until they paled. After drawing a deep breath, she said, “I apologize, Mr. Sterling. I overstepped my boundaries. Aria is your daughter, and whatever happens is strictly Sterling family business. It doesn’t concern me.” She paused. “I should get back to work.”

She turned away, bending down to carefully pick up the barely–conscious stray cat from the ground. I watched as she walked down the tree- lined path, cradling the animal against her chest.

I pressed my lips together and turned toward the Sterling Group headquarters, my back still burning with pain.

Cedar’s POV

I asked the security guard about the cat and learned it was a stray that survived on handouts from passersby. My heart couldn’t bear leaving it

there.

After work, I took the cat to a veterinary clinic where they administered medication. I purchased a cat bed, officially adopting the little stray. On my way home, I stopped to buy a fish–the pet store owner had advised that fish broth would help speed the cat’s recovery.

With the cat carrier in one hand and the fish in the other, I headed home through the fading evening light. As I walked, my mood suddenly

plummeted.

My mind flashed between images of Aria’s pale, fragile face and Ridley’s cold stare. I desperately wanted to know how the little girl was doing, but any inquiry would only reinforce Ridley’s belief that I had some hidden agenda.

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19:25 Sat, Feb 7

Chapter 112

Its hail three children, and I’d somehow gotten two of them actually to him, keen I found it hard to believe.

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It was pure coincidence a strange alignment of fate between me and the children that had absolutely nothing to do with their father.

Cedar Wright! Stop right there! So your wings have grown so strong now that you don’t even acknowledge your adoptive parents when you see them? A shrill voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked up to find two people standing at the entrance to my apartment Complex, Jonathan and Elara.

Remembering what happened at old Mr. Wright’s birthday celebration, myxpression instantly hardened. Whatever happened to Selena afterward, the trap had initially been set for me. If Ridley hadn’t intervened, my entire life would have been destroyed.

I turned away without acknowledging them and continued walking toward the building entrance,

“Stop!” Jonathan commanded sharply, quickly blocking my path.

I halted, my voice ice–cold when I spoke. “Regarding last night’s events, I reserve the right to pursue legal action. I advise you both to leave me alone. Push me too far, and I’m capable of anything.”

“You ungrateful little bitch! You dare mention last night!‘ Elara lunged forward, her face contorted with rage. “It’s because of you that my Selena was violated! Why couldn’t it have been you? Why don’t you just die?”

Her fury had reached a breaking point, making her look deranged. I calmly sidestepped her attack.

“She brought it on herself,” I replied with cold derision. “How can you blame others?”

“You encouraged Ridley Sterling to ruin my Selena! You–this ungrateful wretch–destroyed our family! What sin did we commit to adopt someone like you? If I could go back, I would have smothered you in your grib rather than raise a viper who would turn our family into this…”

Elara covered her face, wailing dramatically. The haughty Wright family matriarch was nowhere to be seen in this broken woman.

“Enough!” Jonathan shouted. Elara immediately quieted down.

“Cedar,” Jonathan softened his tone, “I came to tell you something important. At eight this morning, Wright Creatives officially filed for bankruptcy. Our headquarters building has been mortgaged to the court, and our family home will likely be auctioned. Our family… we’ve hit

rock bottom.”

I regarded my adoptive father with detached interest.

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