?Chapter 317:


    “You’re wounded,” Cedric observed, his tone tinged with a blend of usation and concern.


    “I saw it earlier. Now that we’re alone, let me attend to it.”


    “It’s really just a scratch,” Dani dismissed.


    “I’ve weathered far worse storms.”


    Over the years, she’d suffered her fair share of nicks and cuts from pencil tips while immersed in her designs. Those injuries had been more severe than this minor scrape.


    Cedric’s jaw clenched.


    “May Ie in?”


    Dani stepped back, granting him entry.


    Inside, Cedric made his way to the sofa and set the medical kit on the coffee table. Without a nce, hemanded, “Sit.” His voice carried a note of grievance, as if he bore the injury himself.


    Amused, Daniplied, rolling up her sleeve and presenting her hand.


    Cedric maintained silence as he cleaned her wound with iodine.


    “Keep this dry,” he instructed softly.


    “Got it.”


    “Steer clear of spicy foods, andy off the soy sauce—it might darken the scar.”


    As Dani was about to acknowledge it, Cedric was already extracting a tube of ointment.


    “This should work wonders. Apply it once the wound closes to prevent scarring.


    You shouldn’t worry about anysting marks.”


    His voice was gentle,den with an undertone of self-reproach.


    “This was my fault today. I failed to protect you. It won’t happen again.”


    After he finished, he discarded the used swab in the trash and stood to leave.


    But before he could, Dani instinctively caught the hem of his shirt. Her action was spontaneous. She looked up and froze at the sight of his reddened eyes.


    “You…”


    “I’m alright,” Cedric muttered through gritted teeth.


    “I should go now.”


    Dani’s grip on his shirt didn’t waver.


    “Why are you beating yourself up? Today’s mishap wasn’t your fault. That ashtray—I flung it myself. How does that implicate you?”


    She paused, then handed him a tissue.


    “Honestly, I wouldn’t have even noticed the scratch if you hadn’t shown up.”


    Cedric’s frown deepened at her words.


    When he finally met her gaze again, his eyes conveyed deep censure.


    “Dani, can’t you be nicer to yourself?”


    In that instant, Dani was taken aback.


    It had been ages since anyone had cared enough to say that to her.


    She remained still for several seconds before managing a weak smile.


    “Cedric, you make it sound like I’m some porcin doll. I’m not that fragile,” she teased.


    At her words, Cedric’s eyes lifted, shing with irritation. With a snort, he picked up the medical kit and stormed out of the room. A momentter, Lillian entered, her expression puzzled.


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