?Chapter 143:


    Managing a multibillion-dor project was a colossal task, fraught with endless challenges. For Cedric, the CEO, to personally monitor the site seemed to Lillian an unnecessary strain. The construction environment was harsh, filled with dust, hardly suitable for someone of Cedric’s stature.


    Yet Cedric, his gaze still fixed on the office door, dismissed her concern with a gesture.


    “She’s asleep. Go find a nket and cover her.”


    Lillian shook her head.


    “That’s not going to work. She’s always on alert, even in sleep. If I touch her, she’ll wake up right away.”


    The office windows were ajar, letting in a breeze that had cooled the room significantly. Cedric frowned.


    “We can’t have her catching cold. Get a nket.”


    Lillian nodded and hurried off to fetch one. Taking the nket from Lillian, Cedric quietly pushed open the office door with careful steps. He approached Dani, crouching beside her and gently unfolding the nket. As he covered her, Dani stirred slightly. Her eyes,rge and clouded with sleep, fluttered open, her voice soft and husky.


    “Cedric?”


    Hearing his name from her lips momentarily disrupted his calm. He adjusted the nket around her more snugly and whispered, “Go back to sleep.” She drifted off once more. A pang of emotion tightened Cedric’s chest.


    His eyes dwelled on the subtle redness beneath her eyes, emotions brewing inside him—a mix of heartache, tenderness, and a fierce protectiveness. He harbored a deep-seated urge to confront Alexander, to make him pay. But he hesitated. Was Alexander still a fixture in her heart? If she still held feelings for him, then he would restrain himself.


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    Cedric remained crouched beside her, watching over her slumber. He waited until her breathing deepened, indicating she was fully at peace, before he quietly stood and exited the office. Outside, Lillian exhaled deeply and muttered with evident disdain, “Alexander is such a scumbag!”


    Cedric’s face showed nothing, his features set in an impassive mask. His hands, however, betrayed his inner conflict, clenching and unclenching at his sides as he fought to keep his emotions in check.


    After a protracted silence, just as Lillian believed Cedric was on the verge of leaving, he broke the quiet unexpectedly.


    “What did Alexander say? Do you know?”


    Lillian wished he hadn’t asked. The mention of the topic seemed to ignite a fire within her. Her face flushed with anger as she erupted.


    “That scumbag! Completely shameless! I’ve never encountered someone so vile!”


    Cedric remained silent, maintaining aposed demeanor as he absorbed her tirade. Once she had let off steam, Lillian borated.


    “Alexander insists that if Dani wants to break things offpletely, she needs to hand over the North District renovation contract as a trade! Can you believe it? The contract with Tyler is already signed, construction has started! Dani has devoted years of love to him, supported him through thick and thin, even ended her first marriage for him! And now, he demands this contract as the price for their separation? Are we just supposed toply? Who does he think he is—a king?”


    Cedric’s hands tensed, opening and closing as he fought the urge to react more strongly. After a moment’s pause, he asked in a level tone, “Does she really want to cut ties with him?”


    Lillian answered without hesitation, “Absolutely! What’s the point in prolonging this?”


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