?Chapter 375:


    As Huntley spoke, his eyes carried the weight of an unspoken sadness.


    Dani paused to take a sip of water, her gaze drifting to Cedric, who was absorbed in his sd, seemingly oblivious to the conversation. A subtle smile graced her lips.


    Turning to Huntley, she responded, “However, I refuse to coerce myself into anything.”


    Huntley’s eyebrow arched in surprise.


    “Haven’t you done exactly that in the past? Surely, you didn’t actually have affection for that scumbag, Alexander?”


    Dani’s smile persisted as she responded, “Indeed, I hadpelled myself before, but I’ve grown less willing to do so now. Having tasted true freedom, it was difficult to relinquish.”


    Huntley was momentarily taken aback by her candor, then his lips curved into a thoughtful smile.


    As the meal ended, Cedric’s gaze lingered on Dani while Huntley apanied her home. He then casually slung his arm around Huntley’s shoulders, steering him away.


    “What exactly do you mean?” Cedric’s tone matched the intensity in his steady gaze. The memory of Huntley and Daniughing together lingered in his mind, stirring a sense of unease.


    “Are you really considering pursuing Dani?”


    Huntley folded his arms, nodded thoughtfully, and stretched out his long legs across the plush sofa in the dimly lit bar.


    “This was my family’s decision. To me, the pursuit of any woman is much the same. Dani is stunning. Not to mention wealthy. Her roboticspany is burgeoning with potential, and my family holds her in high esteem.”


    Cedric’s expression grew shadowy, his brows knitting together. Leaning back, Huntley took a leisurely sip of his drink and continued with a dismissive wave of his hand, “They’ve pretty much written me off as unable to forge my own path, so they’re banking on me using my charm tond a sessful partner.” Turning to catch Cedric’s sullen profile, Huntley bit back a chuckle.


    “In my opinion, Dani is a perfect fit. With her abilities and resourcefulness, the Lambert family will be in good hands.” At these words, Cedric whipped his head around, his voiceced with a hint of reproach.


    “You’ve prattled on enough but haven’t once mentioned actually liking her. Marriage isn’t a game. She’s been through a divorce; it would be cruel to risk her getting hurt again.”


    Huntley’s smile was tinged with nonchnce.


    “Is that your worry? But who says I don’t have feelings for her, or that she doesn’t care for me? We had a splendid chat tonight. In fact, I’ve invited her to breakfast tomorrow, and she’s epted. Cedric, you’ve been into Dani forever. If you don’t take your chance and win her over, you can’t me others for stepping in, can you?”


    Cedric’s frown deepened, his anger momentarily quelled by Huntley’s calm retort.


    “I’m not interested in your justifications. I want to know what she thinks, what she feels.”


    “Dani said…” Huntley paused deliberately, savoring each word as he observed Cedric’s mounting frustration.


    “I brought up the topic of marriage, and Dani didn’t dismiss it outright. I even ventured that since we’re headed toward a family-arranged union anyway, it’s perfectly eptable. I vowed to honor ’till death do us part’ and not to meddle in her pursuits thereafter.”


    Cedric’s jaw clenched tightly as he demanded, “What did she say?”


    .


    .


    .