?Chapter 1344:


    Niks felt all kinds of emotions swirling inside him. None of them were simple.


    He walked up and called her name. “Dani.”


    She nced up and met his eyes. “I was hoping you had a minute,” said Niks. “There’s something I’d like to say.”


    She approached him.


    Gone was the usual pride in his tone. “I’m not going to fight Cedric anymore. I’m stepping back. And whatever I did to you before—I hope you can leave it behind.”


    She didn’t respond right away. Her eyes scanned his face, sharp and unreadable.


    Then she smiled. It wasn’t kind. “Do you really think you’re in any ce to bargain with me? Haven’t you figured out who I am by now? I’m miles ahead of you, Niks. And none of this was ever about you.”


    She was never one to sugarcoat the truth. “You’ve misunderstood your role here. You’re not even in a position to negotiate.” Only the one holding the power gets to make deals.


    Niks stood there, not yet realizing how far behind he truly was.


    Niks stood there,pletely at a loss. Dani’s words didn’t make sense to him.


    Their worlds didn’t ovep, not even a little.


    Still, one thing had be crystal clear—she was doing this for Cedric.


    That truth pushed him into action. Eventually, he tracked Cedric down.


    “This started because of me. You’re part of the McCoy family, too. You wouldn’t want to see it fall apart over all this, would you?” Niks said quickly, trying to appeal to reason.


    With paint smudged on his arms and shirt, Cedric wiped his hands on a rag and replied without looking up. “Doesn’t matter to me.”


    That answer stunned Niks into silence.


    There wasn’t a hint of hesitation on Cedric’s face—he looked rxed, even unconcerned.


    “You seriously don’t care about the McCoy fortune? That kind of money could change your life. You’d have everything,” Niks asked, struggling to believe it.


    Cedric shrugged. “Not interested. If my wife hadn’te to Oiscoll, I wouldn’t be here either. My definition of sess has nothing to do with how much I own.”


    Speechless, Niks watched him, unsure whether to believe what he was hearing.


    Yet something about Cedric’s expression—honest, calm, unguarded—left no room for doubt.


    Noticing Niks still staring, Cedric added, “Look, I get it. I’ll talk it over with my wife, but let’s not drag this out. She’s not after you, so stop poking at something that isn’t a threat.”


    As he turned to leave, Cedric paused just long enough to deliver a final message. “Don’t think I’m letting this slide because I’m scared. I just don’t have time for your drama. Whatever it is you’re trying to win, it’s all yours. I’m not getting involved.”


    Without waiting for a reply, Cedric walked off, leaving only the sound of his footsteps behind.


    Niks remained rooted to the spot, watching Cedric’s silhouette fade into the distance. He didn’t move for what felt like an eternity.


    When he finally did, it was to spit bitterly at the ground. “He’s just riding Dani’s coattails. What’s he got to be so smug about?”


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