?Chapter 1223:


    Niks kept his eyes fixed on Carol.


    Carol didn’t budge. She stayed quiet, firmly in ce.


    Dani’s tone was steady. “Say what you came to say, or we’re leaving.”


    Niks was livid, his jaw tightening as he ground his teeth in frustration.


    Finally, Richard shot him a calming nce. Niks forced a crooked smile and muttered, “Alright, let’s eat first, then we’ll talk.”


    Niks waved the waiter over to begin serving the food.


    Soon, the table was piled high with an array of dishes. With a broad grin, Niks turned to Dani and said, “Come on, Dani, give it a try. It’s the signature dish of the restaurant. Cedric, you too. And Carol, don’t just sit there, dig in.”


    Niks was brimming with enthusiasm.


    Carol reached for her fork.


    But just as she was about to take a bite, Dani reached out and stopped her.


    Carol paused, tilting her head in confusion, her eyes drifting to Dani. Dani’s gaze remained calm as she looked at Carol. Turning to Niks and Richard, she said, “If there’s something you wish to say, just say it. We came straight from home, and we already ate.”


    Niks narrowed his eyes.


    Richard clenched his teeth tightly, barely containing his frustration.


    “If you’ve already eaten, a little more won’t hurt,” Niks said, gesturing toward the beef Carol had been eyeing. “Carol, don’t mind Dani. The beef here is unbelievably tender!”


    Dani let out a mockingugh, her smileced with sarcasm. She slowly turned her gaze from Carol to Niks, then gestured at the dishes in front of her. “Why don’t you eat first?”


    Niks froze. Earlier, he and Richard had slipped something into the food.


    Niks chuckled dryly. But he’d expected Dani to be wary, so he didn’tce every dish. “Alright, I’ll eat. Dani, you’re way too suspicious. We’re family, aren’t we? Are you really using me of poisoning the food? You’re hrious!”


    Then Niks picked up a slice of cucumber and crunched into it, smiling with exaggerated satisfaction.


    Just as he set his fork down, Dani asked casually, “Is that all you’re going to have?”


    Niks had never encountered anyone as difficult as Dani.


    He gritted his teeth behind his smile and reached for some vegetables. Dani lowered her gaze, then nced at Richard. “Aren’t you going to eat?”


    Richard gave a light chuckle, obediently picked up a fork, and took a slice of radish.


    Dani nodded, satisfied, and picked up her fork. With Niks and Richard watching her closely, she added some greens to her te.


    Niks said, “Come on, Dani, have some meat!”


    He sounded a little too eager.


    But before he could make another move, Dani dropped a piece of beef onto Niks’ te.


    “I remember you like it too. Go ahead,” Dani urged.


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