?Chapter 976:


    Of course, that was not true. She would at most stop bothering Dani until these films were finished.


    Cedric’s face darkened. Was she trying to threaten him? “Are you looking for trouble?”


    Unlike Dani’sposed nature, Cedric exuded a cold,manding presence, his gaze perpetually lowered as if others weren’t worth his attention.


    Elyse froze at his words. “What?” Had she misheard him?


    “What? A wicked heart and deaf ears too?” Cedric’s eyes burned with anger. “I asked if you were looking for trouble.”


    Elyse’s heart pounded under Cedric’s sharp gaze. “What do you mean?”


    “You went to my wife for favors. Did you ask me first?”


    Elyse opened her mouth, but Cedric’s cold voice sliced through. “What’s hers is mine. Asking her is the same as asking me. And everyone knows I never take a loss.”


    Elyse ducked her head, forcing a smile. “It’s not really a loss, is it? We’re family. You help us, we help you. It’s mutual, right?”


    “Really? And how exactly do you n to help me?”


    “Well… it’s not like you need anything, right? We’d love to help, but you’re rich and powerful. What could we possibly offer? Our help would just get in your way.”


    Cedric let out a chilling chuckle. “So, you think you can just keep leeching off me forever?”


    He leaned back, his eyes narrowing. “Do I look like a generous man to you?”


    ?????????? ???? ?????? ????????????: g???????ν????????????


    Elyse pressed her lips together, uneasy.


    Cedric’s tone turned final. “Either let Natalie settle for her supporting role or pull her out of the film entirely. I don’tck actresses. And let me make one thing clear—everything Dani owns belongs to me. Anyone who tries to take it is signing their death warrant.”


    Elyse recoiled instantly. “No, we wouldn’t dare!”


    After leaving the house, Elyse finally exhaled. Cedric’s presence had been suffocating—he truly terrified her.


    “Natalie, you heard him—Cedric isn’t someone we can cross. And remember, I already warned Dani about the people pulling strings behind the scenes. She let you return and got me out of the asylum—she’s nning something. We need to leave, find a ce where no one knows us, and start over. Okay?”


    Natalie jerked her hand free from Elyse’s tight grip. “Go ahead and leave if you must, but I’m holding on to Dani, my source of wealth.” Additionally, if capturing Cedric’s heart was beyond her reach, surely she could sway Cormac. Despite Nina’s interference, she refused to concede defeat.


    When Nina returned, Cedric was in the kitchen, meticulously preparing fruit for Dani, who wasfortably settled on the couch, her eyes glued to the television screen.


    Head bowed, Nina quietly stepped in, casting a fleeting nce at Dani before stopping at the kitchen entrance.


    “Cedric, my mother and Natalie caused a scene today. I’m sorry for the trouble.”


    Cedric kept his attention on the task at hand. The kitchen was engulfed in deep silence, broken only by the rhythmic sound of water. Nina observed Cedric as he washed the cherries and arranged them in a basket, then turned off the faucet.


    The abrupt silence left nothing but an icy stillness.


    Nina’s difort grew, a nagging unease that had followed her on her journey back. She dreaded bing a burden to those around her. As she tangled with her anxieties, Cedric’s voice, low and soothing, cut through the silence.


    .


    .


    .