Dark clouds gathered across Joanne s features once again as bitterness crept back into her voice. Yet Haven dangled hope in front of me like a carrot, never giving me a real opportunity to meet Jeffery face to face.

Joanne s attention drifted slowly toward Collin, her gaze heavy with unspoken resentment. News of Collin founding CR Corporation reached us overseas like wildfire. Haven completely lost her composure, pacing like a caged animal while lamenting her rash decision to flee that wedding altar. She kept muttering how different things could have been, how she should have been Collin s wife from the very beginning.

Collin didn t respond immediately. Instead, he reached over, intertwining his fingers with Linsey s and enclosing her hand gently in his warm palm.

Feeling his touch, Linsey turned her head to meet his gaze and found it filled with quiet tenderness. Moments later, she heard him murmur with solemn affection, Darling, don t let her words get to you. You re my one and only.

She tried to hold back her reaction, but the faintest blush crept across her cheeks. She still wasn t used to his sweet, unexpected declarations always catching her off guard, always making her heart race. Thankfully, no one else had heard his hushed vow, allowing Linsey to compose herself and act as though nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Joanne continued her tale as though lost in the past. Back then, I wasn t ready to face Jeffery again, but Haven insisted on returning. Reluctantly, I came back to Grester with her but I was also hopeful. I truly thought I d see Jeffery again.

Her voice grew wistful. Haven was so eager to get close to Collin, I couldn t have her arrange for me to meet Jeffery. I hadn t even heard about Jeffery s marriage. I assumed he was still single, so I waited and waited.

Linsey finally interjected, her voice calm but firm. Jeffery actually married Alicia two years ago.

Joanne s face fell in an instant. Her eyes welled with unshed tears, and then unable to hold back she shouted, Alicia?! How could she possibly be worthy of him? She s just an ordinary woman, with no background, no status! All because she was a compatible bone marrow donor for Jeffery, she suddenly had the right to marry into the Lawson family? Her voice cracked. I can t accept it!

Linsey s gaze darkened, her tone turning serious. You know full well Jeffery didn t marry Alicia out of gratitude. Do you really believe he d enter into marriage so carelessly?

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Then, with a faint smirk, she added, If that s what you think of him, your taste in men is even worse than I imagined.

Joanne s temper flared. Jeffery was manipulated tricked by that woman! Alicia s nothing but a fraud. She seduced him, and he fell for it!

But Linsey didn t waver. Her voice remained composed, her words like silk wrapped around steel. Say whatever you want, Joanne it won t change reality. Jeffery is married to Alicia, and more importantly, he loves her. Even if Alicia did use some so-called trick, Jeffery wouldn t abandon her over something so petty. Especially now she s carrying his child.

That s nonsense! Joanne snapped, trying to retort but Linsey didn t give her the chance.

If you call Alicia manipulative, she said coolly, what makes you think you re so innocent and pure?

Joanne faltered. Her lips parted, but no sound came for several seconds. When she finally found her voice, it was quieter, defensive. At least I wouldn t deceive Jeffery. My feelings for him are sincere.

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