?Chapter 728:


    She peeled an orange, her face calm and almost nk, as if she were hearing a story from a stranger.


    Caiden let out a sigh of relief, pressed his lips together, and said honestly, “The person on the phone told me that if I followed their instructions, I could win your mother’s favor and be her partner. The word ‘partner’ was too tempting. It meant more than just a title—it promised power, status, and a life of wealth. I was swayed and agreed without really thinking.”


    The sweet scent of oranges blended with the sharp tang of blood. Dani popped a slice into her mouth.


    “What did they tell you to do?”


    Caiden replied, “They wanted me to bring Katrina into your mother’s vi.”


    At that, Dani stopped. Her hand tightened around the orange.


    Her dark eyes slowly lifted, a hidden threat lurking in her gaze as she asked, “So, you and Katrina go way back. And the whole thing was a scheme from the beginning?”


    Together with Elyse, the hypnotist who had reached out to her, and that intermediary, they had carefullyid out a deadly plot. The victim was Brylee, Dani’s mother.


    As Caiden’s positive answer rang out, a thick silence fell over the room.


    To those people, it was a murder.


    For Brylee, it was a cocktail of emotions—bitter anger, deep sorrow, and the painful realization that everything had been one cruel joke. The trust she had given, so genuine and pure, had been shattered by nothing more than a self-interested liar with no remorse.


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    Though Cedric hadn’t made a move before, now he stepped forward, his heart heavy with emotion.


    Lillian lifted her hand, her voice firm but calm.


    “This isn’t the end, Cedric.


    You need to put your faith in Dani.”


    Ryan, too, silently raised his hand, stopping Cedric in his tracks.


    Cedric’s heart ached for Dani as he looked at her, his face etched with worry. Dani, almost detached, continued eating her orange as if nothing had happened. She lifted her chin and asked Caiden, “Any leads on that intermediary?”


    Caiden shook his head.


    “No, but I did overhear someone on the other end refer to him as Mr. Perry during a call.”


    “Mr. Perry again,” Dani repeated.


    “Dani, I’ve told you everything,” Caiden begged, his voice shaky.


    “Please, take me to the hospital. No matter what I did, I’m still your father.


    You can’t just let me die, right? I regret it all. I wish I’d been honest with your mother from the start. She was capable—so much better at handling this than I was. I was foolish, too scared to think straight.”


    Dani slowly stood and moved toward Caiden, starting to loosen the ropes that bound him.


    As her fingers worked on the knots, she asked, “Did you ever love my mother?”


    Caiden nodded quickly.


    “I did. Of course, I loved her.


    Your mother was the only real love of my life.”


    Caiden’s face twisted with sincerity, his emotions spilling over as if he were a servant pleading for forgiveness.


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