Joanne shrugged and let out a mocking laugh. Is Alicia the only woman who can give birth?

Her voice was light, but her words were heavy. If I marry Jeffery, I ll give him children too. If he wants a son, I ll have one. If he wants a daughter, I ll have a girl.

Linsey couldn t take it anymore. Her voice was cold as steel. If that s how you think, I pity your future children. To you, they re not lives they re tools. You don t want to be a mother. You want to be a machine. And that s not just sad for them it s sad for you.

Joanne s expression darkened instantly at Linsey s words. Her gaze turned sharp, her tone laced with accusation. Linsey, you ve gone on and on just to stop Hester from agreeing to my proposal. If you don t want to collaborate with me, fine. But do you really have to sabotage others from working with me too?

She gave a bitter, mocking laugh. I see it now. You don t really care about that so-called best friend of yours, Dolores. I came to you first with a genuine offer, and you turned me down for someone you barely know Alicia. How utterly disappointing.

Linsey gave a slow, composed smile. There s really no point reasoning with someone as lunatic as you.

Joanne froze. What did you just call me?! It was the first time anyone had dared call her that. Her polished, elegant fa?ade cracked for a split second as fury twisted her features. You think you re better than everyone just because you re married to Collin Riley? Don t fool yourself, Linsey. You re just clawing your way up by playing nice with Alicia. You want to secure your place as CEO of Lawson Group, and you re using her to do it. How disgraceful. Dolores must be ashamed to call someone like you a friend!

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from behind. And what gives you the right to speak on my behalf while throwing mud on others?

Everyone turned. Linsey s eyes instantly lit up. Dolores? Why did you come down?

With a cool, poised expression, Dolores walked toward Linsey, linking arms with her in a gesture both tender and resolute. I just woke up and felt much better. When I didn t see any of you, a waiter told me where you were. I came looking though I wasn t expecting such a full house.

From the moment she appeared, Dustin s gaze never left her.

Your escape begins at g?ln Ҧ s?com

As she stood beside Linsey, he finally spoke. Dolores, you should be resting after that incident.

She cut him off with a roll of her eyes. Wasn t that incident part of your brilliant act? I thought you didn t care who got hurt, as long as your performance went according to plan.

Dustin faltered, momentarily lost for words. After a pause, he tried to drag others down with him. Then what about Linsey and Collin? They were in on it too. Why single me out?

Linsey shot him a glare, but before she could respond, Dolores answered coolly, They helped you because you begged them to. Now you re blaming them? That s

Pathetic. With that kind of attitude, good luck finding anyone to work with in the future.

Linsey raised her hand in mock innocence. Just to clarify, I didn t do it for Dustin.

Dolores laughed warmly. I know. You did it for me. You re the best person I ve ever had in my life.

Dolores, that s totally unfair, Dustin grumbled. You always take Linsey s side.

.

.

.