?Chapter 362:


    “I’d hold my tongue if I were you.”


    Alexander halted, a bit taken aback.


    “I didn’t poke the bear, you know.”


    Cedric’s voice was an icy warning.


    “Push me further, and I might just lose my cool in a way you’ll regret.”


    Alexander let out a nervous chuckle, but before he could retort, Cedric’s fists descended on him like a hailstorm.


    Soon after, an ambnce whisked Alexander away, the doctor confirming he had fractured ribs and wouldn’t be rising from his bed for a month.


    Caiden observed Cedric with newfound trepidation.


    In that moment, following Dani’s departure, Caiden suddenly saw Cedric’s true nature. It was an authority that tolerated no backtalk, a disy of violence that was bone-chilling to its core. Caiden was so on edge that he even moderated his breathing; he tiptoed around his own home, ensuring his activities were silent, and even resorted to watching TV on mute.


    The Harper family had never felt Dani’s absence more acutely.


    “Since Dani isn’t here, and our space here is a bit cramped, perhaps you’d be morefortable at your ce?” Caiden ventured cautiously, his voice tinged with the fear of provoking Cedric.


    Cedric continued to eat his meal, casting a steely nce that froze the room, radiating a daunting, oppressive air.


    Katrina, finding it difficult to swallow her food, hurriedly interjected, “It’s just that we thought you might prefer theforts of your own home. Caiden,e sit closer. Cedric is perfectly capable of deciding for himself.”


    Caiden retracted further into his chair.


    Cedric tasted nothing of his meal, and a palpable tension swathed the vi.


    As soon as Cedric departed, Joyce exhaled a long-held breath.


    “Having Cedric around was like walking on thin ice. Absolutely terrifying!”


    This same suffocating atmosphere had seeped into every corner of Phillips Group.


    Within just half a month, the HR department had seen eight different organizational charts.


    The finance department was already preparing financial forecasts stretching three years into the future.


    The marketing department underwent aprehensive restructuring of all market strategies.


    During this upheaval, everyone felt they were treading on eggshells, sitting ramrod straight, dreading getting swept up in Cedric’s tempest.


    A finance staff member pleaded with Cedric’s secretary.


    “Please, any word on when Dani will return?”


    A marketing team member added, “Honestly, just catching a glimpse of Mr. Phillips is enough to trigger a stress response!” An HR representative chimed in, “You’re telling me! I keep my eyes glued to my paperwork during meetings, terrified to make eye contact with Mr. Phillips!”


    The collective sigh from the staff was palpable.


    “Dani’s prolonged business trip is stretching us thin! Please, we need a reprieve!”


    Perhaps the universe was listening to their prayers.


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