?Chapter 934:


    Tension rippled through the group as they traded wary looks.


    Hackett scrunched his features in concentration, the pieces of the puzzle gnawing at his mind. “What did you just say? She’s behind all this?”


    Huey nodded. “Dani herself admitted it! She was ying dumb and outsmarting us all! We’ve all been deceived by her!”


    Color drained from Hackett’s face as the revtion sank in. Dani was the mastermind behind it all? But he had already given his gift to Cedric. Hackett’s heart sank.


    Winslow observed Hackett with a disinterested yet piercing gaze. He saw the sudden ashen look on Hackett’s face and the stiffening of his posture.


    Dropping his gaze, Winslow said, “Hackett, what’s got you so rattled all of a sudden? Does it really make a difference whether the mastermind is Dani or Cedric?” With that, all eyes turned to Hackett.


    Hackett’s heart thudded painfully against his ribs, yet he managed to drape a cloak of feigned outrage over his features. “What exactly are you suggesting? I’m utterly astonished at the depths of Dani’s cunning.”


    Marcus’ gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Hackett, a flicker of suspicion crossing his features.


    Despite lengthy discussions, the meeting concluded without any decisive oues. As for the goods from Huey’spany, the best resolution they could offer was merely a promise to dispatch an investigator soon.


    Huey departed, his steps heavy, the ring sunlight outside intensifying his sense of defeat.


    Later that afternoon, Hackett returned to Elite Lux, his hands filled with borately wrapped gifts.


    Perfectly timing his entrance with the lunch hour, Hackett perched in the cafeteria, a practiced smile ying on his lips as he waited for Dani. Before sitting down with Cedric, Dani said to Lillian, “We need to enhance our security measures. Tell Ryan to implement a facial recognition system at the entrance of the cafeteria. It’s imperative we restrict ess to employees only.” Lillian acknowledged with a quick nod.


    g?lnσν???s﹒??o?? is where stories live


    Hackett’s smile briefly faltered as he addressed Dani. “I hope you don’t mind my impromptu visit, Ms. Harper. Your fondness for jade came to mind when I saw some exquisite pieces atst night’s auction. I couldn’t resist getting them for you.”


    He gingerly set avish gift box on the table, the price tag boldly indicating five hundred million—its value clear, apanied by a gleaming certificate.


    Dani raised an eyebrow, responding with a mix of amusement and suspicion. “This is incredibly generous of you. But are the others in the association aware of this?”


    In stark contrast to Cedric, Dani exuded an icy aloofness, her polite detachment rendering her seemingly unapproachable.


    Hackett’s heart fluttered anxiously, but he managed to conjure up a strained smile. Just as he was gearing up to speak, Dani dropped a casual bombshell.


    “I’ve heard about your three beautiful daughters.”


    Thement sent a shiver down Hackett’s spine, and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead.


    Dani’s lips twitched into a slight, enigmatic smile as she continued, “My husband never tires ofuding your skills in nurturing such beautiful daughters.”


    At her words, Hackett’s mouth twitched, caught between a grimace and a smile. He was unsure if he was being praised or subtly ridiculed. He clung to his smile, a bit too tightly, and bowed his head slightly, masking the surge of bitterness threatening to show.


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