?Chapter 81:


    His hands curled into tight fists, and he made a vow to himself. From now on, for the rest of his life, he would act as though Dani didn’t exist.


    Joyce was just as dumbfounded by Dani’s tant brush-off. When they got back home, Katrina was standing impatiently at the door.


    “So? What happened? Did Dani agree? How many floors did she agree to hand over?” Katrina asked, her voice brimming with anticipation.


    Joyce let out an irritated sigh, shaking her head. Sheunched into a detailed recounting of the g, every humiliating moment and cold dismissal included.


    Katrina’s face twisted in shock as she listened.


    “What? That’s her way of handling men? What an absurd strategy! I’ve never heard of anything so ridiculous. But from what you’re saying, it sounds like her little scheme blew up in her face. She’spletely destroyed her chances with Alexander now.”


    Her lips curled into a smug smile as a satisfiedugh escaped her.


    “Perfect. That’s exactly what we need.”


    If the Bet family was still aiming for a marriage alliance, Joyce would be their one and only option.


    But unlike Katrina, Joyce wasn’t one to scheme with such precision. After catching wind of Dani’s business meeting scheduled forter that afternoon, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She made ns to meet Alexander earlier, setting up what she hoped would look like an “idental” run-in with Dani in the lobby. The moment Alexander caught sight of Dani in the distance, his expression turned stormy.


    Joyce gave Dani a cheerful wave, but Dani didn’t even blink in response. Lillian raised an eyebrow, clearly amazed.


    “Unbelievable! After everything that happened yesterday, they still have the audacity to wave at you?”


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    Dani’s lips tightened, clearly annoyed.


    “What’s a little pride when she wants a shop space from me?”


    After all, she was all too familiar with Joyce’s true nature.


    Dani paused mid-step, her sharp eyes locking onto Joyce, who was making her way over with Alexander following closely behind.


    Standing nearby, Lillian couldn’t resist the opportunity to throw in a quick jab.


    “Well, well, Mr. Bet, Ms. Holt, have you finally decided to hold a proper discussion? Or should we cancel these meetings altogether if civility is too much to ask?”


    Joyce’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she stered on a forcedugh, unwilling to let her irritation ruin her chances at the shop space.


    She vowed that once she got the shop space, she would no longer be polite to Dani.


    “Absolutely! Let’s find a spot to sit and chat. My treat,” Joyce said through clenched teeth. Inside, frustration churned like a storm, her forced smile stretched so thin it felt more like a grimace than genuine cheer.


    Lillian couldn’t hide her amusement at Joyce’s clear difort.


    “Dani, why don’t we take a seat for a bit?” she suggested, her tone dripping with yful mischief.


    Dani, ever tolerant of her friends’ antics, noticed Lillian’s teasing mood and gave her a slight nod.


    “Sure,” she agreed.


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