?Chapter 100:


    Asking would only deepen her humiliation.


    Besides, she had grown ustomed to living without her father’s affection or care and standing alone, bearing the weight of me and criticism.


    Fine, if this was her fate, then so be it.


    She lifted her chin, standing tall. Her cheek burned, swollen and red from the p, but her stance was unshaken, and her movements flowed with elegance.


    Dani met Caiden’s gaze, her voice steady and frosty.


    “I never said the 18th to 20th floors were for Joyce. From the start, I told Alexander it was the basement level. I even informed you about this yesterday. If things got out of hand, it’s because you allowed it to happen. Why didn’t you ask Joyce why she made those bold ims before checking the facts? Why didn’t you question Katrina for not teaching her daughter to be self-aware? My money doesn’te easily, so why should I give away valuable real estate? You’ve always shown favoritism. I’ve spent so many years trying to earn your approval, trying to be the daughter you wanted—obedient, well-behaved. But now…”


    She paused, her eyes bloodshot and filled with a mixture of deep sorrow and overwhelming fatigue.


    Caiden’s stomach twisted. He couldn’t understand why, but an unfamiliar dread crept over him, a sensation he hadn’t felt in years. It reminded him of the time Dani’s mother had almost rejected him—the time when he feared losing the only chance to improve his life.


    His voice wavered as he asked, “What now?”


    Dani’s lips curled into a fragile smile. Her usual radiant beauty now seemed shattered.


    Fresh content live on gα?ησv??ls?c?m


    “Now I realize you’re no different from Alexander. No matter what I do, no matter how much I give, I’ll never get the one thing I truly want from you. And if that’s the reality, then I don’t see why I should keep making the effort.


    You wanted to sever ties with me. Fine. I’m on board. Starting today, immediately.”


    She straightened, her posture resolute.


    “For me, this is a matter of finality. I’ll have mywyers prepare the documents and send them over. After that, there’s no need for us to meet again.”


    She held Caiden’s gaze for a brief moment before turning and walking away without saying another word.


    Caiden’s irritation simmered just beneath the surface, growing with each step Dani took away from him.


    Unable to contain his frustration, he bellowed, “You think you can just cut ties with me? I’ll make damn sure that doesn’t happen!”


    Dani had turned from a nondescript girl to a golden goose. Severing ties with her was unthinkable, an option only conceivable if he were six feet under.


    Katrina jumped to her feet, worried Caiden would act on impulse.


    “You’re absolutely right, Caiden! She doesn’t get to walk away from us like we’re nothing! She’s stuck being your daughter, and that means when we’re old, she has to take care of us!”


    Standing up with fiery determination, Joyce eximed, “Exactly!” Overhearing the conversation, Cedric balled his hands into fists, the knuckles whitening as he struggled to restrain his mounting anger.


    Meanwhile, Jerry, who had been quietly observing the chaos, rolled his eyes in exasperation. He moved briskly towards the door, locking it with a definitive, echoing click.


    Katrina, noticing his actions, seized his arm urgently.


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