?Chapter 278:


    “Things have changed a lot since then. I’ve restrained myself,” Cedric admitted, his voice slow but firm.


    “Fear has gripped me—the fear of pressing too hard, the trepidation of causing offense, and the anxiety that you might feel uneasy. I was petrified of upsetting you in any way. Thus, I chose to bide my time, considering perhaps you required space to heal and to discover your true desires. I tried to make my way into your life gently, like a soft breeze you wouldn’t think twice about. My only wish was to be someone important to you, without you ever catching on to how much it meant to me. Over thest eighteen months, I’ve carefully avoided overstepping. I refrained from actions or words that might seem too assertive. I’ve kept myself in check, abiding by my own boundaries, waiting endlessly for the right moment.”


    Dani gave him a thoughtful look.


    “I don’t mind the wait.


    Yet, it breaks my heart to watch you suffer, knowing I’m stuck on the sidelines as just a friend. Dani, I yearn to shield you. It pains me to witness anyone push you around. I want the world to recognize that you have an ally, that you are never alone. I’ve made up my mind—I won’t wait for fate to decide. It’s clear that you and Alexander are done, so I’m stepping forward now. I want to be the one who’s there for you. Whether I seed or not is irrelevant to me. From this moment on, I’m iming my ce in your world. And when you’re ready to open your heart, I want to be the one you choose first.”


    Cedricid his heart bare, speaking with a fiery determination he rarely allowed himself to show. For a few moments, Dani remained silent, her eyes narrowing as she evaluated him.


    Realizing his forwardness might have been too much, Cedric’s demeanor softened, his voice now carrying a hint of desperation.


    “Look, from here on out, consider me a suitor, okay? Don’t shut me out. Just give me a shot.” Cedric abruptly stood up, hoping to leave on a strong note, but in his haste, he knocked over the chair behind him.


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    Flustered, he righted the chair, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment, and hurried out of the room without another word.


    Shortly after, Lillian stepped in from the balcony, having just ended a phone call. With a quick, incredulous look at Dani, she shook her head in exasperation.


    “Did Cedric actually just take off like that? After pouring his heart out like that, he doesn’t even stick around for your response? Is he for real? Can you believe this is the same guy who pulled off that huge international deal recently?”


    As dawn broke, Caiden made his way to Harper Group, apanied by Alexander, whose recent skin graft was visibly healing. They entered the CEO’s office, where Caiden nonchntly tossed his feet onto the desk and motioned for Alexander to make himselffortable.


    Alexander cast a scrutinizing nce around the room, his expression unreadable as he took everything in. The desk was a chaotic stack of documents needing approval, official seals, and stamps—all disorganized and scattered. His eyes then caught a piece of paper on the floor. Stooping to retrieve it, he realized it was Harper Group’s business license.


    Despite being aware of Caiden’sx approach to business, the level of disorder still shocked Alexander.


    “Don’t fuss over that,” Caiden remarked casually, as he ced a steaming cup of coffee on a nearby table, settling back with a rxed air.


    “Dani will be here soon to sort out this disaster. I’m tired of managing this circus; it’s her turn to take the reins.”


    shing a self-satisfied grin, Caiden leaned back further.


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