?Chapter 1427:


    They were actually kissing—no mistake, no illusion—locked together right in front of him. Cedric held his ground, refusing to let Dani slip away. Eventually, her resistance faded, and she angled her face up to meet his lips, surrendering to the heat of his kiss.


    Carol sauntered over, a grin tugging at her mouth as she let out a sharp, teasing whistle.


    She pped Alexander on the shoulder. “Alright, time to move along. Haven’t you watched enough? Or do you want me to pull up a front-row seat for you?”


    With a flick of her wrist, Carol swung the office door shut behind them. Alexander stood frozen, staring at the unyielding door, his thoughts spinning with the image burned into his mind. They’d actually been kissing. Where did it go from here? Dani’s office had a lounge—he knew that much. Would they take things further in there?


    The idea twisted through Alexander’s thoughts, leaving him rattled and unable to shake the scene. He staggered out of the building, so rattled he couldn’t even recall where Arthur had gone.


    Inside the office, Dani was gasping for air by the time Cedric finally released her.


    “Who said you could use the tranquilizer?” His tone was sharp, his eyes locked on hers.


    Dani’sshes fluttered as she caught her breath, the color rising in her cheeks.


    “Next time you have to deal with garbage like that, leave it to someone else,” he insisted, his voice low butmanding.


    She gave a silent nod, and he gently helped her down from the table. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, you’ll find the consequence far worse,” he warned, his expression unyielding.


    Although Dani had known Cedric for years, she’d rarely seen him lose hisposure. He always seemed impossibly calm, as if nothing could ever push him over the edge. No matter how many times she threatened divorce or pressed those papers into his hand, Cedric never lost hisposure.


    The only thing that seemed to shake him was seeing her hurt. That was the line he wouldn’t let her cross.


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    Cedric met Dani’s eyes, his voice clear and steady. “Whatever path you choose, whoever you decide to be, I’ll stand by you. You once told me to be myself first, not just your husband. I want the same for you—I want you to be yourself, not just my wife. Stay true to yourself. But promise me one thing. Don’t ever risk your own safety. Not for anyone. Not for any reason. Don’t tell me this wasn’t deliberate. You know exactly what kind of person he is. You’re using his blood as a test, pushing your own limits. But you’re not invincible, Dani. You’re human. You have—”


    “…weaknesses, and that’s not a w. Please stop pushing yourself to the edge. I disagree.”


    Even the most easygoing man could turn intimidating when truly riled. Dani refused to flinch, but she didn’t brush it off either.


    She nodded. “I understand.”


    Only then did Cedric let out a breath and soften just a bit. “You know I take every promise seriously.”


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