?Chapter 1554:


    She said quietly, “You’ve never been the type to throw yourself on the line for someone else. Stop pretending to be a martyr. That’s not who you are.”


    Something about Carol’s steady, unaffected attitude only made Niks’ anger boil over.


    “Have you always been like this?” His voice grew louder, frustration bleeding through every word as he gazed at Carol. “Is life or death always so meaningless to you?”<fna30d> Latest content published on ?ovelFind</fna30d>


    That jab actually stung Carol, even if she didn’t let it show.


    Her hand hovered midair with the remote, then she turned to him, eyes steady. “Is that what this is about? You think I crossed the line with Mason? Niks, aren’t you terrified of me? Why bother worrying if I make it out alive? What am I to you, really? What gives you the right to get involved?”


    Niks exploded, unable to contain himself. “Exactly! I’m nothing to you, so I can’t tell you how to live! If you want to throw your life away, go ahead. Why do you always act like nothing matters? Didn’t you say you don’t care about anyone? But people should at least care about themselves, shouldn’t they?”


    Weren’t most people supposed to be selfish? So why would she go so far for Dani? Why destroy Mason for her sake? Did Carol ever stop to consider the fallout? Or was it just because it was Dani, and nothing else mattered? Niks couldn’t even pinpoint why he was this upset—just that the anger wouldn’t let him go, tearing away at his usual self-control.


    Carol studied Niks’ flushed face and wild eyes, watching as hisposure unraveled. Slowly, she let her gaze drop. After a quiet beat, she asked, “Why are you so angry, Niks?”


    Carol dropped the remote on the couch and walked slowly over to Niks.


    Niks towered above her.


    Carol folded her arms, chin lifted as she met his eyes. “So, tell me—what’s really got you so worked up?”


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    Her voice turned yful, a subtle smirk curving her lips. She remained collected and cool, while Niks was a mess of tangled emotions. If this were a battle, Carol had already imed victory.


    “You do realize you could actually die, right?” Niks’ voice trembled with urgency. “Doesn’t that scare you at all?”


    Carol didn’t break eye contact, closing the distance between them. “I’m not afraid. Are you afraid for me?”


    Her words seemed to strike a nerve.


    Niks stiffened, caught off guard. He tried to speak, but only managed a tight swallow.


    Carol didn’t wait, taking another step forward.


    Reflexively, Niks backed away.


    Carol closed in once more.


    Niks retreated, flustered.


    Augh slipped from Carol, light and amused. “Funny. Seems like you’re more terrified of me dying than I am.”


    Her gaze sharpened, searching his face for answers. “Why is that, Niks?”


    Niks couldn’t remember ever feeling so cornered. Not even his father had managed to back him into a wall like this.


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