?Chapter 1565:


    “You can go now,” Dn said tly, dismissing her without an ounce of warmth.


    Vickie’s smile faltered, her lips trembling as moisture gathered in her eyes.


    Struggling to hold back her tears, she asked in a small, wounded voice, “Did I… do something wrong?”


    “You don’t need to do any of this. You should focus on your own life, do you understand?” Dn’s tone was calm butced with fatigue.


    He had told her the same thing time and again, yet she refused to ept it.


    “I know you don’t feel the same way,” Vickie whispered, her voice trembling, “but can’t I at least be allowed to care about you?”


    Her eyes shimmered, fragile with unshed tears.


    “That’s your choice,” Dn replied evenly. “But you can’t let your feelings spill into my life.”


    He had no right to decide who loved him—only to make clear where her boundaries ended.


    His indifference finally broke something inside Vickie. Tears slid freely down her cheeks.


    How could a man so cold and distant have once risked everything for Christina?


    She didn’t even know if the two had truly ended things or if this was just another one of their silent wars before they inevitably made up again.


    Whatever the truth was, Vickie refused to quit. Since childhood, she had dreamed of bing Dn’s wife. And she would make it happen—no matter the cost.


    She realized now how foolish she’d been to believe that restraint could ever win him over. She should have used every trick in the book from the start.


    Even if he despised her forever, she was determined to be the woman he married.


    “I’ll go now,” Vickie said quietly, forcing a brittle smile as she wiped her tears.


    She slipped on her sunsses to hide her swollen eyes before walking out.


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    The moment she was gone, Dn called for Edwin.


    “Get rid of it.” He gestured toward the pastry box, his voice cutting cold.


    He hadn’t thrown it away in front of her out of respect for Vinson.


    If Vickie could finally learn to let go, he would leave her in peace.


    But if she ever dared to y dirty, not even Margot’s protection would save her.


    Edwin had barely stepped out with the box when Dn’s phone lit up—Christina was calling.


    Just seeing it sent a warmth through him, chasing the chill from his mood.


    He answered with a rare, gentle smile, his tone low and velvety. “Chrissie… I’ve been missing you.”


    “I miss you too.” Christina’s soft, lilting voice spilled through the speaker, lighting something tender inside him.


    “I’m near your office,” she said. “I brought dessert and coffee—want some?”


    “Yes.” Dn didn’t even pause to think. His body reacted first, already moving toward the door.


    “Then I’ll wait for you in the car…”


    Christina’s voice faded as Dn ended the call and strode out of his office.


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