?Chapter 1220:


    He stood drenched, not only by the relentless rain but by the weight of Cedric’s confession.


    Because Cedric loved her?


    But he loved Dani too. His love for her was deep and unwavering.


    Alexander was engulfed in disappointment.


    Today’s events had snatched away any remaining hope—he was utterly defeated.


    The promise he had just made to Dani now echoed hollowly.


    He was pped in the face by the harsh truth.


    Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the distance, stirring a spark of hope in Alexander. Believing it was Dani, his heart leapt, and he eagerly looked up.


    Instead of Dani, it was Richard who appeared, holding an umbre over him.


    Amidst the chilling breeze, Richard’s voice, gentle yet firm, reached Alexander’s ears. “If winning her heart is beyond reach, then make her hate you. Then she will never forget you.”


    Chilled raindrops traced a path from his hair down to his chin.


    Tears welled up in Alexander’s eyes; his voice quivered as he said, “But Dad, I don’t want to. Please, don’t push me!”


    “I’m not pushing you,” Richard replied calmly, his toneden with wisdom. “I’m showing you a path. March forward, and something greater awaits you.”


    Alexander shook his head, his resolve breaking. “No, there’s nothing greater out there for me.” With these words, he stepped back into the vi.


    Richard trailed silently behind him, understanding all too well the necessity of the heartache Alexander was enduring.


    Inside the vi, Carol had Natalie pinned firmly to the floor.


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    Distortion marred Natalie’s features, yet her words remained venomous.


    “You bitch, Dani! Your downfall is imminent. Just like your mother, you’ll die in agony! I swear, Dani, I’ll be the one to kill you!”


    Ignoring Natalie, Dani turned to Carol. “Have you noticed anyone suspicious trailing Natalie?”


    As Nataliey quivering on the floor, her voice trembled. “Dani! What are you implying?”


    Carol chose to overlook Natalie’s outburst, focusing instead on Dani. “There’s someone lurking in the park outside the vi.”


    Dani gave a curt nod, pulling out herptop to ess thework of surveince cameras she had installed.


    Natalie’s realization dawned, furious and sharp. “You deceitful witch, Dani! You orchestrated this trap, didn’t you? How else could I have acquired the explosives so effortlessly? It was all part of your scheme! Who are you really after?”


    Dani scrutinized the surveince footage, pinpointing the exact location of their unseen observer.


    The figure in the footage was cautious, their presence fleeting and obscured. Their eyes, the only visible feature, peeked out from beneathyers of dark fabric and a concealing hat.


    Dani swiveled theptop toward Natalie, her finger pointing at the enigmatic figure lurking beneath a distant tree. “Who is this?”


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