?Chapter 1394:


    Niks’s ears burned at the remark. He cleared his throat, trying to hide his embarrassment. “What’s strange about me?” He nced toward Dani.


    She unwrapped her candy, tasted it, then lowered her head to focus on the data spread across her desk. She hadn’t spoken once, but Niks took her silence as approval. She hadn’t interrupted his conversation with Cedric or questioned the candies he’d brought.


    That was when Niks understood Carol had been right. As long as Cedric wasn’t harmed, Dani rarely intervened.


    The realization filled him with jealousy and bitterness.


    How deeply did Dani love Cedric? How far would she go to spoil him?


    Niks was still brooding when thepany’s scheduled partners arrived. It was unusual for Alexander to be so low-key. He arrivedst, trailing behind the others.


    Dani’s secretary approached her. “Ms. Harper, the partners for the coboration are here to review the details.”


    Hamilton hadpleted the takeover and sealed the contract before handing thepany to Dani. He trusted she would honor the agreement—and he was right. Dani kept business and personal feelings strictly separate.


    When the partners gathered in the conference room, Dani took her ce at the head of the table and listened intently to their proposals. Alexander waited his turn, then straightened his tailored suit and stepped to the podium. He delivered his presentation with calm confidence, earning Dani’s approving nod before moving on to the next slide.


    By the door, Niks muttered under his breath, “What a joke.”


    Carol raised an eyebrow. “Why hold a grudge against Alexander? What has he ever done to you?”


    Niks’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t admit that his father had explicitly chosen Alexander over him to court Dani’s favor. Instead he grumbled, “I just find people like him—so fake and full of themselves—really annoying.”


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    Carolughed softly. “Well, you’re nowhere near Cedric in that department.”


    Niks’s temper red. “What do you mean? How am I worse than Cedric?”


    “At least Cedric wouldn’t waste time getting riled up over someone like Alexander,” Carol said evenly. “He knows Dani doesn’t care about that kind of rivalry. Alexander’s professionalism serves the business—and that’s all that matters.”


    Niks fell silent and nced down the hallway toward Cedric’s office, where the door stood ajar. Inside, Cedric sat with his head bowed,pletely absorbed in the meeting materials.


    Exactly as Carol had said, Cedric seemed utterly unfazed by Alexander’s presence.


    Niks couldn’t understand. “Doesn’t Cedric care about Dani? Alexander is her exhusband, right? That’s no small thing. Doesn’t Cedric feel any difort at all?”


    Carolughed, shaking her head. “Confidencees from your own strength. You’ve spent too long hiding under Hamilton’s shadow. You might look like you’re on top, but you have no idea what it means to earn your ce on your own. Honestly, I feel sorry for you.”


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