?Chapter 1390:


    Her words made Cedric shift his gaze, fixing it on Niks with a stare that cut straight through him.


    Niks stiffened. If he admitted the truth—that he’d walked away to try and win Dani from Cedric—he knew Cedric would beat him to a pulp and throw him out.


    He swallowed, voice uneven. “Why else? It’s the inheritance. Dad made it clear I’d receive nothing, so I decided to forge my own path.”


    Carol stood nearby, giving him a onceover. “Are you serious? Do you even have a thousand dors right now?”


    Her jabnded hard. If he had money, that arrogance might make sense—but he didn’t. He shouldn’t be delusional about his ce.


    Niks gritted his teeth. “I already walked away from the McCoy family. What else was I supposed to do? Father froze everything: my cards, my contacts. I’m done exining.” He nced around—none looked sympathetic.


    Out of options, he turned to the one person who wouldn’t argue back. “Show me to my room.”


    The housekeeper looked to Dani. A small nod was enough. “This way.”


    Trailing behind her, Niks muttered, “I want a bigger room—one no guest has ever stayed in.”


    She replied politely, “Of course. We have several. I’ll help you choose.”


    His mood lifted slightly. “Make sure it has sunlight, a private bathroom, and a tub. And I need a fresh set of cotton pajamas—I’m allergic to anything else. Also, an unopened bottle of red wine before bed.”


    She agreed to everything—until the wine. She hesitated. “We don’t keep red wine in the house.”


    Niks blinked as if she’d spoken a foreignnguage. “No wine? In a house this size?”


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    Lowering her voice, the housekeeper asked, “Shall I check with Ms. Harper?”


    That suggestion extinguished thest of Niks’s temper. He waved her off. “Forget it. I wasn’t that thirsty anyway.”


    From outside, Carolughed. “This is entertaining. He’s terrified of you, Dani.”


    Dani didn’t even look his way. If he weren’t Cedric’s brother, she wouldn’t have given him the time of day.


    A momentter, the housekeeper returned, clicking her tongue. “He wants to soak in milk. Shall I go out and buy some?” Dani’s expression darkened instantly.


    Cedric sighed. “I’ll talk to him. Just don’t get upset.” He headed toward the guest wing, hoping to calm the situation.


    Niks had chosen the room with massive windows. When Cedric knocked, he called through the door, “You’re not even staying that long. Do you really need all this?”


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