?Chapter 60:


    Dani was finallying downstairs. Caiden, shaken from his uneasy trance, felt a cold sweat drench his back. For the first time, he found himself actually eager to see his biological daughter.


    “Dani,” he called out, his voice uncharacteristically soft as he watched her descend the stairs.


    “You’re finally awake!”


    His tone, unusually gentle and warm, carried the practiced air of a caring father.


    Years ago, Dani had longed for even a moment like this—for her father to speak to her with such kindness. But Caiden’s tenderness had always been reserved for Joyce. Never her. That fragile hope had withered and died long ago, buried beneath years of neglect and indifference.


    Dani descended the stairs, her expressionposed and unreadable. Her gaze drifted over the scene in the living room, pausing on the movers standing uncertainly amid the disarrayed furniture. Their uniforms, a deep green, bore thepany’s slogan in bold letters.


    “We bring happiness back home.”


    The word “home” struck Dani with a wave of bitter irony.


    She hadn’t known the meaning of that word in years.


    Dani’s eyes roamed across the room, finally settling on Cedric, whose calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere. Then, her attention shifted to the housekeeper, her swollen, tear-streaked face speaking volumes.


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    Her eyes gradually hardened, a shadow darkening their depths.


    The moment Dani descended the stairs, her icy, aloof demeanor wiped the tentative smile from Caiden’s face.


    For a fleeting second, he considered reprimanding her, but his attention shifted to Cedric, who remained seated firmly in his chair. No longer absorbed in his phone, Cedric still seemed rooted to the spot, showing no signs of leaving.


    Concealing his irritation, Caiden managed a polite smile and turned to Cedric.


    “Mr. Phillips, now that Dani has joined us, was there something specific you wished to discuss with her? Perhaps you could speak with her first?”


    With azy stretch, Cedric sank deeper into his seat, his voice smooth and unhurried.


    “We’re set for lunchter. There’s no need to rush.


    You two chat—I’ll stay out of the way. When you’re done, I’ll take her along.”


    His insinuation was unmistakable: he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Caiden, suppressing his annoyance, shot Cedric a wary nce before turning back to Dani.


    A subtle yet undeniable edge of criticism colored his voice this time.


    “Unbelievable, Dani. Getting up thiste? With your pathetic work ethic, it’s a joke that you’re even running a business.”


    Dani paused, taking her time before responding. She strolled into the kitchen, poured herself a ss of milk, and briefly nced at Katrina and then Joyce. A smile danced on her lips.


    Caiden’s jaw tightened.


    “What’s so funny?”


    Dressed to perfection, with an air of unshakable authority, Dani returned to the living room and settled elegantly into the cushions.


    “I’mughing because I’m dying to know—what absurd n are you cooking up this time?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm, and the subtle smirk on her lips only deepened her clear disdain.


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