?Chapter 1348:


    Shifting to the side, the secretary gave a discreet cough before speaking into his phone. “Sir, perhaps it’s best to wait until all the paperwork is finalized before calling Dani over.” A strange tension lingered in the air.


    Something about Cedric’s demeanor unsettled the secretary. For a moment, he couldn’t exin it.


    That should’ve been a big moment—recognition, legacy, inheritance—but Cedric didn’t look the least bit moved. Instead, he appeared calm and collected. A sense of unease settled over the secretary.


    Resentment still simmered beneath Hamilton’sposed exterior. The string of humiliations he’d suffered at Dani’s hands hadn’t faded from memory. Finally, he had a chance to reim some dignity in front of her—and he wasn’t about to let that slip away.


    “Absolutely not. If Dani doesn’te, then Cedric shouldn’t bother showing up either,” Hamilton said tly, his voice leaving no room for debate. The line went dead before the secretary could reply. He stared at the silent screen, lips pressed into a tight line, and let out a sigh of resignation.


    Dragging his feet a little, he made his way back to Cedric, forcing a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Mr. McCoy, your father wants both you and your wife to attend.”


    From the side, Niks scowled the second he heard it. “Why bring her into this?” Was his father going to wee both Cedric and Dani into the family?


    Remaining friendly, the secretary turned to Cedric. “Since Dani is your wife, it only makes sense for her to meet your father, don’t you think?”


    Without hesitation, Cedric caught the angle Hamilton was ying.


    His face hardened into a cold, unreadable expression. “So he’s using this as an excuse to provoke her. That’s what this is.”


    Caught off guard, the secretary found himself speechless. He hadn’t expected Cedric to be quite this sharp.


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    Trying to smooth things over, he replied, “Why would he do that? You’re his family. There’s no reason for him to create conflict. Maybe just take a moment to change and ask your wife toe down?”


    Cedric didn’t budge. “No need. Go back and tell Hamilton I have no intention of joining the McCoy family. And I’ll never allow anyone to put my wife in a difficult position. If that’s all, you can leave now.”


    Without waiting for a reply, Cedric turned and climbed the stairs, disappearing into his workspace while the others stood frozen.


    Across the street, Hamilton instinctively nced toward the building, expecting to see Cedric emerge. Instead, only the secretary and the stiff-faced McCoy brother remained in view.


    Realizing Cedric was nowhere in sight, Hamilton’s brow furrowed. He snatched up his phone and redialed, this time with far less patience. “What the hell is taking so…”


    “Long? It’s just a change of clothes! Is he really going to make this into some dramatic spectacle? Do I need to walk over there myself and drag him out?”


    At that moment, the secretary muttered to himself, “You might actually have to.” Carefully choosing his words, he spoke in a low tone. “Mr. McCoy, Cedric just told me he won’t be joining the family.”


    Hamilton sprang to his feet, voice thundering across the room. “What did you just say?”


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