?Chapter 294:


    “Say what you need to, or leave,” Cedric said to Alexander, his voice sharp.


    Dani leaned against the car, silent and seemingly uninterested in getting involved.


    Alexander immediately picked up on how unusual Dani’s reaction was. She had always been distant and fiercely independent. She preferred to handle her own matters. But now, she was letting Cedric send him away without even speaking up. She appeared calm, her lips curled into a faint smile. This wasn’t the woman he remembered. The realization made Alexander uneasy.


    He moved to the side, reaching again for Dani’s hand. Cedric pushed Alexander’s arm aside, enough to make it sting. Alexander could feel the tense energy radiating from Cedric, the sudden coldness in his manner. He realized that if he kept challenging Cedric, he might end up like Katrina in the hospital.


    “Dani, I just want to talk.


    You don’t have to treat me like I’m a criminal.”


    Sensing Cedric’s growing tension, Dani gently pulled at his sleeve.


    “Stay here with me. Right by my side.”


    Cedric, who had been ring at Alexander, softened instantly. He nodded and stepped to stand beside Dani.


    “Go ahead,” Dani said, straightening up as her smile vanished. Alexander’s eyes darted between her and Cedric, confused by Dani’s sudden change in behavior.


    “You really think I’m that dangerous? I won’t hurt you.


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    You can’t even talk to me in private?” Every bit of his behavior was for her benefit. He had pursued her, only to end up humiliated like this?


    Alexander nced at Dani, his eyes revealing the hurt he felt.


    “If you have something to say, say it now. Otherwise, I’m leaving,” Dani said.


    Alexander pressed his lips together.


    “So, this is some kind of game, huh? You’re showing off this cozy act with Cedric in front of me, hoping it’ll stir some jealousy or anger.


    You think it’ll make me reconsider pursuing you? Here’s the truth—you’repletely missing the point. This kind of behavior won’t bring me closer to you; in fact, it’s doing the opposite.”


    As always, he was confident that, no matter what, Dani still wanted him deep down. He believed her seeming closeness with Cedric was merely to provoke him. At first, he had tolerated her behavior, but now he admitted he could no longer ignore the growing irritation in his heart. So, he stated it inly. He could no longer y this game of hard-to-get.


    Dani squinted, almostughing at how absurd it all seemed. She gave him a thumbs-up in response to his cold stare.


    “It’s a real shame you’re not writing novels with that kind of imagination.”


    Alexander narrowed his eyes, displeased.


    “What do you mean?”


    “You said I don’t understand men. Do you understand women? I can’t speak for other women, but as for me…” Dani looked at him, her eyes now empty of the passion they once held for Alexander. That passion had been reced by cold indifference.


    “Once I make up my mind to leave, I never look back.”


    Dani took pride in her straightforwardness. When she liked someone, she made it clear. And when she didn’t, she simply walked away. She couldn’t understand where Alexander’s delusion hade from.


    Alexander stood frozen, taken aback by her response. For a moment, Dani’s words felt like a sharp stab to his chest. He locked eyes with her, noticing the seriousness that lingered in her gaze. Panic crept in, a strange feeling that he wasn’t used to, but one he knew he didn’t wee.


    Against his own instincts, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’re really going to act like this?”


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