?Chapter 260:


    As she absorbed this, Caiden retrieved a folded document from inside the book—a contract that seemed to have been prepared long before.


    “I had awyer prepare this agreement,” he said.


    “It states that Joyce will marry once she’s fully recovered. If we can’t find a suitable match, she can live in our city-center apartment.”


    Katrina stared at Caiden in disbelief. She hadn’t expected him to be so ruthlessly calcting.


    Caiden went on, “You don’t have to worry. The Harper family will always be Joyce’s home. I’ll continue managing thepany as usual. Whether Dani and I fix things or not, as her father, she can’t turn me down if I request a project.


    You’ve seen howrge Elite Lux’s projects are. If I put in the effort, Jack’s inheritance will grow immensely. Dani is close to Cedric, and as her father, I have leverage. Cedric will treat me with respect and wouldn’t dare refuse me resources. With connections to both Dani and Cedric—the two dominant forces in Olisvine—the Harper family will only thrive.”


    He paused for a moment before adding, “If you think this n works, persuade Joyce to sign the agreement. After all, she’s the child’s mother, and she’ll want the best for him. I’m not doing this for myself.


    You both know Dani wouldn’t support us if the child remained too closely tied to Joyce. This is for his future. He’ll understand when he’s older. And for now, I’ll thank you on his behalf.”


    The hospital room felt unbearably cold, as though winter had seeped into every corner. Katrina shivered, realizing how carefully Caiden had nned everything.


    So, he had always been aware of how she treated Dani, yet he had chosen to overlook it—because it didn’t serve his interests, he simply turned a blind eye. Now, every action he took was driven by self-interest, leaving no space for mistakes or second thoughts.


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    Katrina felt as though she had been tossed into the frigid waters of a frozenke. The biting cold sank deep into her bones, draining her of all warmth and leaving her numb to the core.


    Caiden gave her a small smile and said, “I know Joyce respects you. Go talk to her. After all, I’m not her real father. If I bring it up, she’ll probably just resent me.”


    By the time the doctor reached Alexander’s hospital room, Alexander was no longer there. Richard sat in the room, a smug grin stered across his face. He was certain that, this time, Dani would feel for Alexander. Once she gave in to her sympathy, the future of their family’s wealth and status would be secured without question.


    The doctor shot Richard a look filled with confusion and disbelief. He couldn’t make sense of it. Richard’s son had been left battered and bruised, yet instead of rushing to call the police, the man just sat there, grinning as if nothing had happened.


    At Elite Lux, Dani was hard at work preparing for an important event. She was so absorbed in her tasks that when Alexander entered her office, she didn’t even acknowledge his presence. It wasn’t until she paused to sip some water that she finally looked up.


    Startled, she instinctively threw the cup at his face. Alexander had lingered at the doorway for what felt like an eternity, growing more and more humiliated as she stayedpletely unaware of his presence. Just as he was about to put on a pitiful expression to draw her attention, a cup flew towards him. He was so stunned that he couldn’t even react in time to avoid it.


    “Ouch!”


    The pain was unbearable. Dani instantly realized how forcefully it had hit him. She could even hear a sharp crack—the unmistakable sound of a nose breaking. Blood began gushing from Alexander’s nose, running down his face and dripping onto the floor.


    As the cup ttered to the floor, Dani finally got a clear look at him. Her face drained of color, her stomach twisting in shock.


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