?Chapter 1649:


    He was gulping for air, chest heaving as if the room itself were closing in.


    For a heartbeat, the McCoy family stood frozen, caught in a tense silence. Ethan snapped out of his shock first, darting between them and raising both hands defensively. “Dani…”


    “Come on, we’re not here for blood. We just want the money back. Can’t you ease up a little?”


    Hamilton rushed forward, his expression strained. “Dani, maybe take it easy, okay? Think about the babies you’re carrying.”


    Atst, Dani unclenched her grip, letting Josh’s arm drop.


    He copsed onto the floor, every inch of him slick with humiliation and sweat. Fixing her with a re, he spat out, “Touch me again and see what happens. You really think you’ll get Ethan’s money out of me? Keep dreaming. If you’re so brave, kill me right here in Oiscoll!”


    Dani’s lips curled into an amused, almostzy smile as she stooped and plucked the fallen dagger off the floor, twirling it once between her fingers.


    Josh’s expression contorted, a violent tic shing across his cheek at the sight. Hamilton immediately rushed in, desperation in his voice. “Dani, let’s not do this here. Josh might be an asshole, but he’s still family. The new McCoy Group barely has its footing. We don’t need blood on our hands right now, do we?” After that, he shot a pointed re at Josh and demanded, “Why the hell did you pick a fight with her? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”


    Meanwhile, Josh’s secretary leaned close, voice barely above a whisper. “Sir, you’d do well to remember—she’s the mercenary leader. Watch your mouth.” Josh ground his teeth, fury simmering beneath his skin, but powerless to retaliate.


    All he could manage was a shaky threat. “Dani, don’t think this is over. I’ll make you regret it.” With that, Josh stormed off.


    He hunched over, shoulders tight, slinking toward the door as if he could slip away unnoticed. His retreat drew barely muffledughter from his siblings, who found his desperation oddly satisfying.


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    But Dani’s icy voice sliced through the room. Without raising her head, she spoke tly. “Did I say you could go?” The rain drummed against the window, deepening the chill that clung to her words. “No one’s leaving this office until we’re finished here.”<fn2ae6> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? f?ndnovel</fn2ae6>


    Josh spun around, his temper snapping. “Dani, are you out of your mind? Do you even realize where you are right now? This is Oiscoll! Maybe you should think twice before pushing your luck. I’m warning you—let me walk out while I’m still willing to be civil!”


    Hamilton edged closer to Dani, lowering his voice in a hurried plea. “Hey, maybe we should cool off. This isn’t the right moment for a showdown. We can sort it outter, can’t we?”


    Brad, visibly rattled, clutched his chest as if steadying his heartbeat. “He’s right, Dani. When Josh gets like this, he loses itpletely. If we take this any further, nobody wins.”


    Ethan, torn between resentment and resignation, finally managed to speak up, though his voice was barely above a whisper. “Dan…”


    But Dani cut him off with a wave of her hand, her expression upromising. “Sorry, but I don’t give a damn about anyone’s feelings. Josh, unless you hand over the thirty billion today, I promise you’ll regret ever crossing me.”


    Josh’sughter spiraled into a wild, taunting shout. “Dani, tell me—does your dead mother know just how arrogant you’ve be?”


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