?Chapter 461:


    “Why aren’t you sitting between Dani and Cedric anymore? Weren’t you keeping an eye on them?”


    Lillian, her mouth busy with chips, responded with indifference, “The word on the street is that Cedric prefers men. So, to me, he and Dani might as well be besties! No need for concern.”


    Katrina pondered this and made her way upstairs. As the sound of a closing door echoed, Lillian stole a nce at the couple.


    Dani was sprawled across Cedric’sp, engrossed in her phone game.


    “Hey, shouldn’t you two keep your rtionship under wraps? What’s all this about?” Lillian chided.


    Dani chuckled.


    “Aren’t we practically besties now? So, a little closeness shouldn’t matter.”


    Cedric tenderly brushed a stray hair from Dani’s face.


    “Exactly, no harm in it.”


    “You’re just indulging her,” Lillian muttered, half-amused, half-exasperated.


    “Despite the rumors swirling around, you two seem to relish the drama.”


    That night, Cedric, usually so guarded, strutted upstairs with an overt confidence. Lillian sighed, wondering how the girls would react once they realized they’d been duped. Katrina felt a nagging suspicion. While dabbing on her night cream, she asked Caiden, “You’ve been around quite a bittely. Noticed anything untoward between Cedric and Dani?”


    Caiden rolled over, his back to Katrina, signaling his disinterest.


    Katrina squinted as she continued to apply her cream.


    Your escape begins at g?lnσν???s


    “Something just doesn’t sit right.”


    In the dimly lit room, Cedric drew Dani close. Looking down at her, with her eyes twinkling, he asked, “Is it that amusing?”


    Dani nodded.


    “I’ve just realized the potency of rumors. Did you hear? They said you were gay. It’s just ludicrous.” As Dani’sughter filled the room, Cedric’s expression subtly darkened.


    Herughter tapered off. She scooted away, wrapping herself in a nket, inching towards the edge of the bed. Cedric’s lips pursed.


    “I’m off to shower.”


    Dani peeked out from the nket.


    “Another one? Wasn’t one enough?”


    Cedric took a deep breath, his jaw set.


    “Should I not?”


    Dani giggled.


    “Go ahead.”


    He bent down, kissing her lightly, and said, “I’ll deal with youter.”


    Ten minutester, Cedric stood up, nced at Dani’s slightly parted lips, closed his eyes for a brief moment, and headed to the bathroom. Dani, her smile lingering, drifted off to sleep, enveloped in the scent of Cedric that lingered in the air. The next morning, the housekeeper told Joyce, “There’s a package for you on the table.”


    Puzzled, Joyce approached and, upon opening the envelope, was taken aback by its contents. As Katrina descended the stairs, the look on Joyce’s face revealed the nature of the documents she held.


    “Mom,” Joyce cried out, tears streaming down her face.


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