?Chapter 1263:


    She leaned in, peeking through the sliding kitchen door, quietly observing the scene unfolding inside.


    Cedric stood there inid-back attire, a simple ck apron tied around him, grinning as he moved through the kitchen like it was his own.


    Carol said, “Cedric’s secretary told me that after you left, Cedric looked like a wreck at first. Then he snapped—turned cold and cutthroat, so sharp that people were scared to even breathe around him. Now that he’s in Oiscoll, the business folks back in Olisvine are practically popping champagne in relief.”


    Dani blinked, clearly startled. “Seriously? It was that dramatic?”


    Carol gave a firm nod. “It’s exactly that dramatic. He turned into a storm in the boardroom. He’s now the wealthiest man in the country.”


    Dani nced over at Cedric, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    Carol chuckled. “Cedric’s sharp as a tack. He just never cared much about chasing the top until now.”


    Dani and Carol were casually chatting when an unexpected guest showed up.


    Charles stormed in, looking rattled. The moment his eyesnded on Cedric in the kitchen, he stiffened. “What’s he doing here?”


    Dani always maintained Cedric’s dignity in front of others. She shot back coolly, “Why ask that? He doesn’t have the right to be here?”


    Charles dragged a tense hand through his hair. “If he’s here, then where does that leave me? Dani, you promised you’d help me. Don’t tell me you’re pulling back now.”


    Charles wasn’t blind—he knew Cedric and Dani were still husband and wife. If Cedric stayed out of it, Charles still had a chance at inheriting the Hamilton empire. But if Cedric stepped in, Dani would stand behind him without hesitation. And in that case, what would he be left with?


    For a few days, Charles had been floating in a dream he didn’t want to leave—until Cedric showed up and shattered it.


    Just as Charles was mid-rant, the security phone by the door began to ring.


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    A maid picked up the call and turned to Dani. “Ms. Harper, there’s a Mr. McCoy at the gate asking for you.”


    Charles automatically assumed it was one of his brothers dropping by unannounced. Irritated, he flung the door open. “Mr. McCoy? Let’s see who—” His words died in his throat the moment his father’s long, sleek Lincoln glided up to the front like a shark cutting through still water.


    In an instant, the color drained from Charles’ face, as if water had drained from a sink.


    His gut reaction? Run. Far and fast.


    Dani caught the sheer panic in Charles’ eyes and furrowed her brow in confusion. Most sons carry a cocktail of respect, pride, and maybe a touch of fear for their dads. But why did Charles look like he’d just seen a ghost?


    “Dani, should I just hide?” Charles muttered, nerves creeping into his voice.


    “It’s toote,” Dani said calmly. The car was already in the driveway, and with those wide ss windows, there was no hiding. “He’s seen you.”


    Dani’s instincts were sharp as a de—she knew when someone had been spotted. There was no doubt about it.


    Charles had gone ghost-pale, his body starting to quiver like a leaf in a storm.


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