?Chapter 1074:


    Cedric knew it was time for him to leave. He pressed his lips together, feeling reluctant.


    He nced at the desk that had once been his sanctuary. Despite his resolve, his feet hesitated to carry him away.


    Lost in a moment of vulnerability, he whispered, “I pretended to be pitiful, trying to win your sympathy.”


    Cedric was certain Dani’s heart would eventually soften.


    He knew she couldn’t stand to see him suffer.


    Even now, when love seemed absent between them, he believed there was still a tender spot in her heart. So he tried to win her sympathy.


    He hoped she might pity him and let him stay close.


    At that moment, however, he didn’t know what to say to keep her from pushing him away.


    With the honesty of a child caught in misdeed, he lowered his head. “I…”


    “I know,” Dani interrupted before he could continue.


    Her tone was gentle, preventing him from sinking further into humility.


    For reasons she couldn’t fully exin, she didn’t want him to demean himself. Surprised, Cedric looked up, his gaze fixing on Dani’s profile.


    “You knew?”


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    “Yes,” Dani replied, recing the document before her with a fresh sheet. Her voice remained steady. “It’s okay with me. You don’t need to feel ashamed.”


    Throughout the day, Cedric found himself lost in a daydream.


    Incessantly, his thoughts circled around Dani’s words: “It’s okay with me. You don’t need to feel ashamed.” What did she mean by that?


    The pretense of being pitiful?


    Did she not see it as a deceit?


    Maybe another attempt was possible.


    Had she only bought his act, or was she okay with anyone donning a facade of pity? With just a handful of phrases, Dani had nearly driven Cedric to the brink of insanity.


    The attending doctor stared at Cedric and asked, “What prompted this behavior?”


    Cedric was utterly lost in his reverie.


    The doctor, baffled, turned to Cedric’s secretary for rification.


    The secretary let out a soft chuckle, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Probably in love, I guess.”


    The doctor raised an eyebrow. “With Dani?”


    “Absolutely. Mr. Phillips’s dedication to her is legendary. It’s as clear as day.” The conversation had been light and unassuming until Dani’s name came up, at which point Cedric’s attention snapped sharply to the speakers. “I need some insight here. Dani told me, ‘It’s okay with me. You don’t need to feel ashamed.’ How should I interpret that? Is she okay with my act? Or is she okay with anyone’s act?”


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