?<strong>Chapter 1224:</strong>


    Cliff’s jaw tightened, his breath hitching as fury ignited within him. His voice was low,ced with barely controlled rage. “Who the hell dared to do this?”


    Laney remained silent, and Cliff, struggling to control his emotions, said, “No dance practice today. I’m heading out for a bit, but I’ll be back tonight to take you out for dinner.”


    “I’m not going,” Laney said firmly. “Don’t worry about me.”


    Cliff responded, “If you don’t want me, my dad wille. Do you really want him to see you so upset?”


    Laney bit her lower lip, her teeth pressing into it.


    Cliff reached out, gently releasing her lip from her teeth with his thumb. “Even if you’re angry with me, you shouldn’t upset my parents.”


    Laney’s resolve wavered slightly.


    Sensing her softening, Cliff made sure she wasfortable before he left to find Gerry.


    Gerry was in the studio, reprimanding an actress for getting too close to an actor. “This is a serious film. If you’re going to kiss, just kiss. What are your hands doing? Behave, or I’ll report you.”


    gα?ησν????s, the ce for amazing tales


    The actress was annoyed, casually cing her hand on the actor’s abs. Gerry, frustrated, said, “Damn, this is a pure campus romance!” The actress sighed. “You’re only filming our faces. What’s the harm in a little touch?”


    The actor’s face turned beet red.


    Just then, someone burst in and said, “Mr. Hopkins, your brother is here!”


    Gerry, visibly annoyed, snapped, “My brother doesn’t bite. What’s the—”


    But as Gerry turned and saw Cliff, he immediately fell silent.


    Cliff looked furious, as if he was about to tear someone apart.


    Gerry quickly adjusted his demeanor. “Cliff…”


    Before Gerry could continue, Cliff grabbed him by the neck and dragged him outside.


    Gerry was gasping for breath, on the verge of losing his temper, when Cliff confronted him angrily and said, “How did Laney get those bruises on her neck?”


    Gerry’s anger evaporated instantly. He nced around, feigning ignorance. “What bruises?”


    Cliff tightened his grip. “Let me show you.”


    Frightened by Cliff’s fury, Gerry quickly confessed, but kept it brief, knowing that revealing too much might provoke Cliff further.


    Even with Gerry’s sparse ount, Cliff’s expression grew darker. “You kept something this serious from me? Are you out of your mind, Gerry?”


    Caught between fear and defiance, Gerry replied, “How am I out of my mind? I handled the attacker.”


    “How exactly did you handle the attacker?”


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