?Chapter 1552:


    The line went dead with a sharp click.


    Niks sat there, motionless on the edge of the sofa, unease flickering across his features. He hadn’t bothered to call Damon—there was no point.


    The house felt emptier than usual, shadows stretching along the walls as silence settled in.


    Cedric appeared at the top of the stairs, his footsteps barely making a sound. As he descended, Niks finally nced up, the strain in his eyes impossible to hide.


    Cedric’s brow creased, catching the distress etched on Niks’ face. “What happened?”


    Niks raked a hand through his hair, frustration crackling in his voice. “Why did you do that?”


    A deep line formed between Cedric’s brows. “Do what?”


    Niks’ voice was tight with frustration. “Look, even if Mason is aplete scumbag, sooner orter someone would have taken care of him. Was it really worth ticking off his father for his sake?”


    Upstairs, Dani’s voice floated down, calling for Cedric to fetch something for her.


    Cedric didn’t respond to Niks. He turned around and climbed the stairs without hesitation.


    At that moment, Carol stepped out of her room and caught the tail end of Niks’ question.


    As soon as Niks spotted Carol, he looked away.


    Carol moved past him without a word, her face a nk mask. She picked up the remote and switched on the TV, letting the flicker of the screen fill the silence.


    Niks dragged a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his features. “If I’d known, I never would have told Dani about what Mason did—about all the girls he hurt. That’s what pushed her over the edge.”


    Carol took a sip of water, set her ss down with a soft clink, and finally responded. “That might be why Dani went after Mason, but it’s not why Cedric and I did.”


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    There was a chill in her words, a razor-sharp rity that reminded Niks so much of Dani it sent a shiver down his spine. Both women radiated that same icy, unyielding resolve.


    After a brief pause, she added, “Cedric and Ished out because of the filthy things Mason said.”


    Niks stared at her, stunned. “But Dani’s tougher than that. Words like his—she wouldn’t care. How could anything he said possibly get to her?”


    Carol settled deeper into the sofa, absently flipping through TV channels, her features unreadable in the flickering light. “It didn’t faze her. But Cedric and I couldn’t just let it go. She’s my friend, someone I admire, and she’s Cedric’s wife. That matters to us.”


    She tilted her head, meeting Niks’ gaze. “Have you ever cared about anyone that deeply?”


    Niks stiffened, caught off guard.


    Carol continued, “I don’t think you have. That’s why you’ll never get it. People with different values can’t work together. End of story.”


    A heavy silence descended, broken only by the low hum of the TV. Half an hour slipped by before Niks, still troubled, finally rose and headed for his room. Just before stepping inside, he cast onest nce back at Carol, who remained perfectlyposed, her expression so serene it bordered on apathy. He disappeared into his room, the door closing quietly behind him.


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    .<fn72d4> For original chapters go to find?novel</fn72d4>


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