?Chapter 645:


    “The driver brought you back. Nina, do you remember what I told you when you were little?” Elyse’s voice carried an edge of something unspoken.


    Nina adjusted the nket nervously, her unease growing.


    “What do you mean?”


    Elyse’s gaze didn’t soften as she continued, “I told you that a person should only try what they’re actually capable of.


    You recall that, don’t you?”


    Nina bit her lip but didn’t reply.


    Elyse’s simmering anger boiled over as she gestured at Nina’s disheveled state.


    “Look at you! Do you even realize how ridiculous you looked? If you don’t have the skill, stop pretending otherwise.


    You wasted my expensive wine, and Cedric doesn’t even care about you. He never has. From this moment on, don’t even think about stepping foot in Elite Lux again.”


    Nina’s eyes widened in disbelief. Panic set in as she sat up straighter.


    “No, Mom! Please, just give me another chance! I can make it work!”


    Elyse shut down Nina’s pleas without a second thought. To her, Nina was trapped in a delusion. There was no way Cedric could ever have feelings for Nina. Had Cedric truly been interested, even a little, he wouldn’t have let the chance slip by yesterday. The fact that Cedric hadn’t even touched Nina spoke volumes.


    “You need to tell Dani today that you’re returning to Harper Group to help me,” Elyse instructed.


    Nina cried out, her voice trembling with desperation.


    “No! Please, give me another chance!”


    g?lnσν???s．c????, a world of tales


    Elyse gave Nina a frosty look before turning her attention back to the television.


    “I’ve already told you, Cedric doesn’t like you.”


    “Is that so?” Nina rose, her face bathed in the ghostly glow of the TV screen.


    “Is it that Cedric doesn’t like me, or are you just scared he might?”


    Elyse snapped back, “What nonsense are you talking about?”


    “If it’s not true, then why are you pushing me back to Harper Group? Is it because my sister ising back? You’re trying to make room for her, aren’t you? As soon as I leave, you’ll have Dani bring Natalie into Elite Lux, right? Why is it always like this? Why do you favor her over me? Natalie likes Cedric, and so do I. I won’t give up! Cedric didn’t make a movest night because he’s not like other men you can judge by ordinary standards. He respects me enough to hold back. He didn’t want to do anything while I wasn’t fully sober.” Nina’s voice took on a more assured tone.


    Elyseughed derisively in response.


    “You’re just dreaming.”


    “I’m not leaving Elite Lux or Cedric. This time, I’m fighting for my own happiness!”


    Elyse turned her head slowly to look at Nina. She had never anticipated her typically obedient daughter would challenge her so openly.


    “Do you know where Cedric went after dropping you off?”


    Nina looked taken aback.


    “Where did he go?”


    “He packed his bags and left the country. If he truly cared about you, would he really be avoiding you like this? Nina, you’ve already embarrassed yourself enough in front of Dani. How am I supposed to get anything from her now? I don’t care what you have nned, but today, you’re going to tell Dani you want to go back to Harper Group. Refuse, and I’ll cut off your financial support.”


    Dani sat in her office, still reflecting on Cedric’s strange behavior when Nina knocked and entered. Her eyes were swollen and puffy.


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