If you re so intent on protecting Dolores, then don t end things with Joanne. That way, Dolores keeps her good name, Hester sneered, sarcasm dripping from every word. Didn t you just say you could stay with Dolores forever, even without a wedding? Go ahead, give that a try let s see how Dolores feels about it.

Stunned into silence, Dustin finally let out a weary sigh. That s not how I meant it, Mom.

All the while, Joanne watched their quarrel unfold, lips curved in a triumphant smile. She donned an air of concern and spoke up, her tone unhurried. There s really no need to rush things. Maybe there s another way to solve this.

That possibility lit up both Hester s and Dustin s faces, a spark of hope flickering between them.

Curiosity piqued, Linsey turned her attention to Joanne, eager to hear what solution she might propose.

At that moment, Linsey caught the unmistakable shimmer of victory hiding behind Joanne s gentle smile. A sudden jolt ran through her chest, the look reminding her of past manipulations she had seen before.

The realization made Linsey s eyes go wide, suspicion growing surely Joanne was gearing up for another clever plot.

Out with it. Hester s voice trembled with impatience.

She couldn t convince Dustin, so she turned her hopes to Joanne.

Dustin looked at Joanne, eyes full of hope. He silently wished she would say something anything that would make things easier. He had made a promise to himself: if Joanne agreed to end their engagement peacefully, he would owe her. Whatever she needed in the future, he would help no questions asked.

But Dustin had misjudged her.

Joanne looked at him slowly and said, Dustin, why don t we continue the cooperation we agreed on not long ago?

Dustin blinked, confused. Then it hit him. His voice rose in disbelief. What? Joanne, are you out of your mind?

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Cooperation? What cooperation? Hester asked, her brows furrowed.

Linsey, who had been listening, let out a helpless, bitter smile. After all the chaos, here they were back at square one.

Once again, Joanne was playing games using Dustin s relationship with Dolores as a weapon. She was trying to stir trouble between Jeffery and Alicia.

She turned to Hester with calm eyes. They won t agree, but maybe you will. You re the chairperson of Wade Group. If you help me, you can turn Jeffery against Alicia. Once they divorce, I ll have a chance to get close to him.

Hester took a step back, stunned. Her voice shook. Joanne, are you crazy? How could I help you get close to Jeffery? He s married and his wife is pregnant!

Joanne answered coldly, eyes unblinking. She can have a miscarriage, can t she? So what if she s pregnant? Even if Alicia gives birth, I can get rid of the child.

The room fell silent. Faces changed. Every child was a gift every life, sacred. But Joanne tossed those words like they were nothing.

Linsey s face turned hard. Do you hear yourself? That s a crime, Joanne. Crimes land people in prison.

She drew a sharp breath and added, Do you know the damage a miscarriage causes a woman? You re a woman too. How can you speak like that with no heart, no shame?

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