?Chapter 1098:


    “Dani, Alexander’s gifts have practically taken over the storage room downstairs. The cleaningdy’s wondering what to do with them,” Carol informed her.


    Dani didn’t even nce up from hertest design. “Tell Alexander toe collect them. If he won’t, set up a giveaway downstairs—whoever wants them can have them.”


    Carol gave a small nod and left. She returned a littleter. “Funny thing—I thought Alexander was all about generosity. But the second I started giving them away, his driver swooped in to collect them.”


    Unbothered by Alexander’s antics, Dani shifted gears. “Any updates on Josie? Who’s pulling the strings?”


    This was the real reason she hade back.


    “Still digging into it. Ryan and Lillian said they’d stop by after the re-examination, assuming everything checks out.”


    Dani gave a brief nod. “Mm.”


    Carol added, “There’s a party tonight—hosted by an old business partner of Elite Lux. They really want you there.”


    Dani didn’t hesitate. “Alright.”


    With that, Carol left the office.


    That evening, Dani stepped out in an ethereal white gown studded with pearls, making her first public appearance since her return.


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    The moment she entered, all eyes turned—her beauty and presence were impossible to ignore.


    The second she stepped in, her gazended on Alexander.


    She had neither the patience nor the interest to entertain him.


    She made a few polite exchanges with key partners before handing the social duties over to her secretary and department heads.


    She took a seat off to the side, checking the time. Thirty minutes, then she was out.


    Just as Alexander made his way toward her, she was already rising to leave.


    “Can we talk?” Alexander’s voice carried a quiet urgency, his emotions barely contained. He had never seen anyoneplement pearls the way she did.


    “Dani, you look stunning tonight.”


    Dani idly swirled her wine. “Five minutes. Make them count.”


    “Why does it always feel like you’re pushing me away, Dani? Why? We used to be close, didn’t we?”


    Dani let out a quiet chuckle. “Weren’t you even closer to Joyce?”


    Alexander instinctively moved to exin, but Dani lifted a hand, cutting him off. “That was a lifetime ago. No need for exnations. They’d be meaningless, wouldn’t they?”


    Alexander’s lips thinned. “Dani, what will it take for you to see how I feel? Do you have any idea? All these years… I never married. I waited for you. Can’t you see that?”


    Dani propped her chin on her hand, her eyes cutting straight through him. “Alexander, some words lose all meaning once they’re said. We’re both too seasoned for this charade. Why act naive in front of me?”


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