?Chapter 392:


    “Dear, you must be famished. Eat something.”


    Dani eyed the food container, recognizing it instantly as Josie’s.


    She sneered.


    How cunning—using someone else’s gesture to y the doting father.


    Yet, her stomach rumbled. After a quick freshening up in the restroom, she returned and opened the container.


    At that moment, Cedric reappeared, bearing side dishes toplement her meal. He arranged them meticulously on the desk.


    As she began to eat, Cedric took a seat next to her, his demeanor grave andmanding.


    Caiden, clearly unsettled by Cedric’s imposing aura, paused briefly before attempting a smile.


    “Cedric, have you eaten yet?”


    Cedric’s reply was icy, his stare piercing as he responded, “I’m not hungry.”


    His implication was unmistakable—his distaste for the duo was enough to spoil his appetite.


    Caiden’s smile wavered, and he stiffened.


    “Dani—”


    Cedric interrupted him sharply.


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    “Let her eat first!”


    Caiden and Katrina recoiled, nodding hurriedly.


    “Right, right! Eatinges first. We’ll wait.”


    It had been ages since Caiden had shown any paternal concern for Dani. His sudden disy of warmth only underscored how forced and unnatural it felt.


    Dani, for her part, seemed unaffected. She continued her meal while Cedric’s re turned even frostier, fixed intently on Caiden and Katrina.


    Cedric now embraced his role more boldly. Previously, as just a friend, he had treaded lightly around Dani’s personal issues. Even his past confrontation with Alexander had been a cautious move.


    But now, he was more than a friend; he was her suitor—her guardian, her knight. He embraced his duty to protect her without hesitation.


    Under Cedric’s watchful, authoritative gaze, Caiden and Katrina squirmed like schoolchildren caught in a misdeed.


    Dani remained poised, her coolposure unshaken by the unnecessary drama.


    After finishing her breakfast, she closed the lid of the container. The weariness of the all-nighter began to settle in.


    With little emotion, she inquired, “You’ve been here all night. What do you want?”


    Katrina shot Caiden a meaningful nce, urging him forward. He stered on a smile, though itcked sincerity.


    “It’s nothing major. I just realized I’ve never really looked around your office before. And I must admit, it’s quite the sight. Theyout, the space, and that view—standing at those floor-to-ceiling windows, it feels like Olisvine is at your feet.”


    As he spoke, Katrina’s nods were overly enthusiastic, her smile painfully forced.


    Dani was unimpressed.


    “Thest time you visited, you were too preupied with lecturing me and fishing for favors for Joyce. How could you have noticed the view?”


    Caiden’s smile froze. Heughed awkwardly after a tense pause.


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