?Chapter 644:


    Dani figured he was probably still under the influence ofst night’s drinking.


    “If you’ve got work to handle, just go. It’s only for a few days—it’s not a big deal.”


    Disappointment surged through Cedric at her casual response. He clenched his fists tightly, his voice dropping to a low murmur.


    “So, it really doesn’t matter to you if I’m here or not, does it? Am I just like Alexander in your eyes? You stayed with him out of gratitude, and with me, it’s out of pity, I guess.


    You couldn’t bear to see me falling apart, so you gave me a chance. But you never truly cared about Alexander, and you don’t care about me either. When he said he was leaving, you didn’t hesitate to let him go. And now that I’m saying I’ll leave, you’repletely fine with it.


    You didn’t even think to ask me to stay. That just proves you don’t feel anything for me.”


    Dani stared at him, confused.


    “What are you saying? Are you even talking to me? I can’t hear you.”


    Cedric shook his head, weariness etched across his features.


    “Forget it. I’ll just grab my things.”


    Sensing something wasn’t right, Dani opened her mouth to say something, but Lillian’s voice called out from afar. Dani responded and turned back to address Cedric, only to find he had already disappeared into the vi.


    Meanwhile, Elyse was at home when a phone call nearly sent her over the edge. Standing by the front door, she took Nina from the driver, her expression clouded with unmistakable displeasure. She ced Nina onto the sofa with little care before recording a voice message to send to Natalie.


    “Darling, when are youing back? Nina’s stupidity is driving me insane! I can’t believe I gave birth to such an airhead. She asked me for fancy bottles of wine to get Cedric drunk, and guess what? He waspletely sober, and she got wasted instead and was sent home. Do you know what that means? It means even when she threw herself at him, he didn’t want her! What a humiliation for this family!”


    L?τ??τ ch?ρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?ls.????


    Elyse ended the recording with an exasperated huff.


    A reply came from Natalie minutester. If one wasn’t listening closely, her voice could easily be mistaken for Dani’s.


    “Mom, don’t stress. Whatever’s happening with Cedric and Dani, he’s going to be mine in the end.”


    Elyse’s eyes lit up with astonishment.


    “Sweetheart, your voice… it’s uncanny how much it sounds like Dani’s. How on earth are you pulling that off?”


    Natalie, ever the psychologist and a keen observer of human behavior, had a small smile in her tone as she replied, “It’s just a little trick I picked up. I’ve been experimentingtely. Don’t worry, I’ll be back next week.”


    Elyse was so overjoyed she nearly pped her hands. Natalie had always been her pride and joy—the type of daughter who excelled in every field, earning the admiration of teachers and the envy of other parents.


    “Alright, sweetheart, I’ll be counting the days,” Elyse said warmly before ending the call.


    But her excitement evaporated the second her eyesnded on Nina, stretched out on the sofa. Nina had slept the entire day.


    When she finally began to stir, Nina noticed Elyse sitting on the couch, watching the news. Elyse heard the movement but didn’t bother to look over, her voice cold as she asked, “You’re awake?”


    Nina blinked, still piecing together her fragmented memory. She pulled off the nket covering her and frowned at her wrinkled dress.


    “Mom, how did I get home?”


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