?Chapter 1517:


    He sighed, turning away. “I hope you’re only faking illness today. You’re my father, and I do wish you well. But I pray today’s mess never happens again. Cedric stayed here for my sake. Now he’s my friend. Don’t use me to control him; that would shame me.” Saying this, Niks walked away.


    Hamilton’s eyes followed him, cold and filled with dark intent. Without bending Cedric, how else would the McCoy legacy keep its fortune alive? He was resolved to lock in the bond with the princess no matter what.


    Carol arrived with unsettling news—Flint had connections to McCoy Group. However, Dani remained surprisingly calm.


    “What scheme is Hamilton plotting now?” she asked, her tone detached.


    Before anyone could answer, Niks stepped into the room. The words reached him mid-step, causing him to instinctively recoil.


    Dani held his gaze and asked evenly, “So, your father is still meddling? Still dreaming of Cedric marrying the princess?”


    Niks scratched his neck awkwardly, clearly ufortable.


    Dani frowned. “But Cedric is already married. Why would that princess go after a married man?”


    Niks exhaled slowly. “Well, apparently, it’s your husband’s appearance. She saw him once and instantly became infatuated. Then, my father told her—”


    Dani’s tone sharpened, cutting him off. “Told her what, exactly?”


    Niks hesitated, muttering, “That you mistreated Cedric.”


    Dani blinked, stunned into silence. Thest time she heard someone gossip about the princess’s infatuation with Cedric, she had dismissed it as just that—gossip. After all, Cedric was exceptional. Being admired was to be expected.


    And admiration didn’t bother her. In fact, she was pleased that someone liked Cedric.


    But pursuing him based on delusions and lies? That was something entirely different.


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    While Dani usually gave Cedric space in his dealings, she wouldn’t tolerate tant interference, especially when cruel fabrications were at y. Her expression hardened, and a staff member who had entered to finalize some paperwork took one look at her face, then abruptly turned and rushed out.


    Without further discussion, Dani dialed Hamilton.


    Niks, unsettled by her icy demeanor, instinctively backed away. The call connected after one ring.


    It was Hamilton’s secretary who answered the phone.


    “Connect me to Hamilton. Now,” Dani demanded.


    The secretary, trying to remainposed, replied, “I’m afraid Mr. McCoy is tied up at the moment. Do you have an appointment? If not, I’m afraid Mr. McCoy is unavable.”


    Meanwhile, Hamilton was lounging, nibbling on fruit, quite pleased with his secretary’s ability to stall.


    But suddenly, the secretary’s expression changed, and Hamilton immediately sat up.


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