?Chapter 130:


    Alexander stared in disbelief at where Dani had vanished, struggling to pull himself together. He turned to his secretary, his voice tinged with confusion.


    “What did she mean by that?”


    The secretary bowed his head slightly, his words measured.


    “Ms. Harper was indicating that the North District project will proceed without Bet Group’s involvement.”


    Alexander blinked, his thoughts scrambling to catch up.


    If Bet Group wasn’t her choice, then who did she turn to? yton Renovation was out of the picture. In the entire city of Olisvine, no other firm possessed the resources or expertise needed for such a massive endeavor. It had to be him.


    Alexander let out a cold, bitingugh that echoed in the frosty air.


    “She’s got to be bluffing.”


    Cedric had initially intended to drive Dani home.


    Work, however, demanded his attention, and he stayed behind. When he finally wrapped up, a text from Ryan awaited him. It was a simple text:


    “You’re too slow.”


    Exiting a meeting, Cedric saw the message and replied with a question mark. His secretary was updating him on office affairs at the time. By the fourth point, the secretary noticed Cedric’s inattentiveness—his typically diligent boss was distracted by his phone.


    Pausing, the secretary doubted Cedric’s focus and skipped an item on the list. Without looking up, Cedric pointed out, “You skipped one.” Taken aback, the secretary apologized and readied to proceed, but Cedric, phone in hand, stood abruptly.


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    The secretary, ustomed to Cedric’s steady presence, noted a rare unease in his demeanor. Cedric appeared restless, bordering on anxious. Such descriptors were foreign when it came to Cedric. The secretary halted, anticipating Cedric’s next move.


    Yet, Cedric dismissed him with a gesture. As the door shut, the secretary overheard Cedric’s low query into the phone.


    “Ryan, what exactly are you implying?”


    On the other end, Ryan, weary from a night without sleep, was perched on a rooftop, nursing a drink.


    “They mean exactly what you think. I just spotted Alexander’s car tailing Dani home. Cedric, what on earth are you up to? It’s been forever, and you still haven’t told her how you feel. Are you frightened or what?”


    The secretary, poised to knock, halted abruptly. Frightened? Who? Cedric? That couldn’t be!


    Then, Cedric said, “A bit.”


    The secretary’s mouth hung open in shock. Ryan, caught off guard, pressed, “Cedric, what scares you? You have it all—wealth, looks. What’s there to fear? I just can’t wrap my head around it.”


    Cedric slumped into his chair, his head lowered, his tone somber.


    “You don’t get it.”


    Ryan was bbergasted.


    “I don’t get it? Or is it you who’s missing the point?”


    Cedric exhaled deeply.


    “She told me she’s not ready for a rtionship. Being away from her makes me restless, but getting too close… I worry it might push her away. I’m walking on eggshells here.


    You don’t understand her like I do. Push too hard, and she’ll close off entirely.”


    Ryan burst intoughter.


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