?Chapter 517:


    The group leaned in eagerly for a closer look.


    A wave of superiority washed over Caiden as he savored the attention.


    But the moment he saw the ring figure of two thousand, his smug grin vanished.


    The others exchanged quick nces, then leaned back in their seats.


    Caiden let out a forcedugh.


    “Ah, she must’ve just sent enough to cover our meal.”


    Just then, Dani’s audio message arrived. Hoping for a lifeline, Caiden quickly pressed y. Dani’s voice filled the room, sharp and clear.


    “I’m sending you four months of your basic allowance, that’s five hundred a month. That should keep you quiet for a while. And Caiden, if you’re inviting people out, the bill is yours. Have you forgotten your ce?”


    The message ended abruptly, and a heavy silence followed. Then, suddenly, a burst ofughter erupted. Some wiped tears from their eyes, others held their sides inughter, and a few were doubled over, barely holding onto their seats.


    Caiden’s face burned with humiliation. He shot up from his chair, stiff as a board, and bolted out.


    The mockery behind him only intensified. Even outside, he could still hear theirughter.


    “That shirt’s ancient. He really thought we’d believe Dani bought it for him!”


    “And when he tried whispering for more money by the window? I nearly died!”


    “I know, right? He thought no one heard him, but he was the biggest joke.”


    “All he did was name-drop Dani. Bet she doesn’t even care about him.”


    “Seriously? Secondhand embarrassment hit me so hard!”


    The jeering voices behind him cut through his pride like daggers. Ovee with shame, Caiden kept his head down, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.


    Caiden believed it was all Dani’s fault. Had she just yed along, his public humiliation could have been avoided.


    Five hundred a month? That sum wouldn’t even cover his tips. Seething, Caiden made his way home.


    Upon arriving, he found Dani deeply engrossed in a video game she’d recently developed, sprawledfortably on the couch.


    He approached her aggressively, questioning, “Dani, what do you think you’re doing?”


    At that moment, Cedric appeared, stepping out of a bedroom, a towel draped around him.


    Caiden red at Dani.


    “Do you even understand how embarrassing today was for me?”


    Unaware of the specifics, Dani could only assume that Caiden had failed another of his schemes.


    “Maybe you wouldn’t feel so embarrassed if you stopped making baseless ims.”


    Her reply only fueled Caiden’s anger.


    “Dani! I am your father! Does my disgrace mean nothing to you? Does it please you to see me degraded?”


    “I’m honestly d for my mom. Being with you had only brought her pain,” Dani responded with augh, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Caiden felt like he was about to burst with anger.


    Cedric prepared to step in.


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