Linsey walked beside Dolores, their fingers gently linked, while Collin s important words echoed in her mind.
Collin had told her, Look, Joanne is absolutely furious that you re taking over as CEO of Lawson Group. She s planning to use the big guns the Wade family and the Walton family to get the board members on her side and kick you out. Dustin is going to pretend to fall out with us, okay? He s going to show just enough softness toward Dolores to make Joanne think she can control him, like she s got a puppet on a string.
He had also added, Tonight, Jeffery and Alicia will be here too. And trust me, Joanne is going to screw something up. Once Hester sees that this whole alliance between the Wade and Walton families is just a play for Joanne to let Jeffery make a ton of cash, this engagement will be over. It ll be done.
Linsey took a deep breath, collecting herself, then guided Dolores to a quieter part of the hall, away from the chatter.
As they settled down, she gently lifted Dolores hand, turning it carefully to inspect it.
Let me just check your wrist again, Linsey murmured, her voice soft with concern.
Dolores managed a wry smile, shaking her head slightly. Seriously, I m fine. It s just a little red, you know? Not even a scratch. She tried to pull her hand away, but Linsey held firm.
Linsey pressed her lips together, then let out a small, indignant snort. If Joanne had actually dared to hurt you, I swear to God, I would have torn that engagement party apart tonight. I would have made a scene they d never forget.
Dolores let out a genuine chuckle, and it was like a warm wave washing over her. All those awful feelings the hurt and disappointment from moments before just faded away.
She sighed, a deep breath escaping her lips. It doesn t matter anymore, honestly. Whatever Joanne does next, it has nothing to do with me. I just need to keep my distance from Dustin, you know? From all of them.
After a short pause, her voice dropped to a low whisper. No matter what, Joanne wouldn t really go too far with me. I mean, I m not actually tied to Jeffery, after all, am I?
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Linsey looked at Dolores, her gaze full of worry, and spoke slowly, emphasizing each word. Joanne just humiliated you right there, in front of everyone, showing how audacious she is. Someone as vindictive and manipulative as her? Who the hell knows who she ll decide to target next? She s a viper.
Joanne s blatant actions were one thing, but the fact that Dustin had allowed her to provoke Dolores like that that was what truly set Linsey s blood boiling. It was infuriating.
The more Linsey thought about it, the more her anger simmered. She had to consciously clench her jaw and take slow breaths, fighting hard to keep herself from glaring across the room at Dustin.
Even though Collin had laid out their entire intricate plan and all the arrangements they had made over the last few days, seeing Dustin just stand there, doing nothing to defend Dolores, still ignited a raw, negative emotion deep within her. It felt like a betrayal.
Linsey genuinely trusted Collin with every fiber of her being. But truthfully, there was no ironclad guarantee that everything Dustin had told Collin was completely accurate. It was a risky game.
After all, Dustin had indeed left CR Corporation a major move yet the news hadn t fully spread throughout Grester s high society. The silence on that front felt unsettling.
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