?Chapter 201:


    Richard was a master at manipting words, skillfully exposing Joyce’s secrets in a few deft sentences while portraying himself as the epitome of virtue. His maneuvers were carefully orchestrated to win Dani’s favor.


    He cast a smug look toward Dani, expecting approval.


    Yet, her expression remained cold and detached. Katrina was left reeling, feeling the weight of judgmental nces and whispered conjectures from those around her. The only response she could muster was a fiery re directed at Dani.


    “Dani! Just you wait! This isn’t over!”


    Humiliated and cornered, Katrina was briskly escorted away by the Harper family, her departure marked by a trail of disgrace. Caiden made a futile attempt to converse with Dani, but she turned her back and disappeared into the building, leaving him amidst the unsettled crowd.


    Richard dashed after her, a perpetual grin stretched across his face.


    “Dani, next time something like this happens, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. As for people like Katrina, extending excessive politeness only serves as an invitation for exploitation.”


    Dani entered the elevator, her gaze sharp and frosty as she faced Richard.


    “Shouldn’t you be the one handling this mess? What, are you expecting gratitude from me now? If I’d known the circus of bullshit you’d bring into my life, I would’ve stayed the hell away from Alexander. Don’t even think about showing your face again.”


    With a resolute press of a button, Lillian initiated the elevator doors to close. Richard briefly attempted to wedge himself into the elevator to offer an exnation, but the doors mped shut before he could manage, leaving him standing outside. A security guard promptly intervened, escorting him away from the scene.


    g?lnσνe??s has the stories you love


    Visibly irked, Richard stomped his foot and dialed Alexander’s number.


    “You need to resolve this immediately! Damn it, Dani is pissed off! That bitch Katrina is trying to screw me overpletely. If she drives Dani away, I’ll hunt her down and make her regret ever crossing me!”


    That day, the scandal that Joyce was pregnant with another man’s child while still pursuing Alexander exploded across social media. The very crowd that had onceuded them while disparaging Dani was now furiously posting online.


    “Getting knocked up and then pestering her stepsister’s ex-husband? That’s next-level desperation!”


    “Richard said it himself—Joyce’s mom schemed her way into the Harper family by spreading her legs for Caiden. Guess neither of them has a shred of decency.”


    “Poor Dani. Honestly, I’ve always seen her as someone decent. Losing her mom so young and living under Katrina’s rule must’ve been brutal.”


    The online frenzy grew more intense by the minute. Joycey sprawled on the couch, crying so hard that she could hardly catch her breath.


    Peyton remarked nonchntly, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Caiden, we’re caught in your storm. Haven’t you noticed? Dani won’t even spare us a nce. I’m warning you, Caiden. If she holds a grudge, it’ll be on you to salvage any favor she might extend to Ronald and Wyatt.”


    Katrina’s tears abruptly stopped, her expression hardening instantly. Just as she opened her mouth to object, Caiden cut in.


    “Alright, I’ll handle it. Just leave Dani out of this.”


    No sooner had he spoken than Ronald and Wyatt began tallying their demands with their fingers.


    “Caiden, since you’re stepping up to take responsibility, we’re not asking for much—just cars, houses, and a tidy sum of money.”


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