He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 1042

"Whether it gets approved depends entirely on the quality of your restructuring plan," Scarlett continued. "The investors need to see a viable path to profitability. If your proposal is full of holes and lacks sincerity, all my negotiating will be for nothing."

"I know." Yardley nodded, his eyes more serious than they had ever been. "I’ll give it everything I have. I won't let anyone down again."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward a table a short distance away. Julian was sitting there, his posture relaxed and casual as he looked out the window. But Yardley could tell the other man’s attention was completely locked onto them. Julian maintained a respectful distance, yet his protective vigilance was absolute.

A bitter wave of envy washed over Yardley. He finally realized that the man who got to stand securely by Scarlett’s side—the one who could openly cherish and protect her—was no longer him. It never would be again.

"There’s... one more thing." Yardley pulled his gaze back to Scarlett, his tone turning pleading. "Could I please see Dawn soon?"

"I miss her so much. I keep dreaming about taking her to the amusement park. Is she talking yet? Do you think she could call me Dad?"

As he spoke, his eyes welled up. The thought of his biological daughter—and the fact that he couldn't see her every day—felt like a knife twisting in his gut.

Seeing him like this, a faint ripple of sympathy cracked Scarlett's placid exterior. She wasn't inherently opposed to letting Dawn know Yardley was her biological father. But she also knew that Julian had treated Dawn as his own flesh and blood from day one, showering her with unconditional love. The entire Croft family had embraced Dawn without hesitation. If she let Yardley into Dawn’s life now, it would undoubtedly hurt Julian and his family.

But looking at the broken man in front of her, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. Because she had once weathered the storm alone, she instinctively wanted to offer an umbrella to someone else.

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