?Chapter 1660:


    “Mom, am I not your own flesh and blood? Can’t you make even a small sacrifice for me?”


    Mason’s hand, still buried in his pocket, brushed against something hard and cold. “Weren’t you always saying I was your favorite? Didn’t you swear you’d do anything for me?”


    He blinked, but the look in his eyes shifted. A shadow passed through them. Victoria saw the change. She stepped back, retreating until there was nowhere left to go.


    “Don’t put this on me, Mom. Everyone’s just looking out for themselves. You dreamed of freedom, but all you ever did was perch in a cage you chose for yourself.”


    Back at the vi, Dani had the TV on. The next day would mark the beginning of the divorce trial between Victoria and Josh.


    She was reading through some documents when Carol suddenly burst into the room.


    In the kitchen, Hamilton stood beside Cedric, rinsing vegetables under the tap. Carol leaned close and whispered into Dani’s ear. A flicker of something grim crossed Dani’s face. Her brows furrowed slowly.


    Hamilton nced over at Cedric. “What’s with that look on Dani’s face? I’ve never seen her like that.”


    Cedric paused mid-wash, then straightened up. He wiped his hands on a cloth and stepped away without saying a word.


    Hamilton moved to follow, but Brad ced a firm hand on his arm.


    Confused and tense, Hamilton asked, “Why are you stopping me? I need to know what’s going on. I’ve known Dani for a long time. She’s never reacted like this. Something bad must have happened.”


    Brad spoke calmly. “Even if that’s true, you can’t fix it. Let her deal with it on her own.”


    Ethan chimed in, nodding, “We’re just here to help Cedric. Let’s not get in the way.”


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    By the time Cedric entered the living room, Carol was gone.


    He asked quietly, “What happened?”


    Dani raised her head. The fading light settled across her face in a dull amber glow. “Mason killed Victoria.”


    Cedric didn’t flinch. His face remained still as he sat down beside her, his arms wrapping around her gently. “People walk their own roads. You did what you could.”


    Dani nodded slowly. “I know. I just keep thinking about that day she left my office. She paused at the door, looked back, and asked me to stop calling her Mrs. McCoy. She only wanted to be called Victoria again. I remembered watching her dance with my mother once. She had this presence, this strength. In that moment, she was every bit the star she used to be. And now, it’s just… a shame.”


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    Victoria was kind, too gentle, and never built to take charge.


    Still, when Dani discovered that Josh had been moving assets to cut her out entirely, she stepped in, hoping to catch Victoria before she slipped away for good.


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