Chapter 1103:
“Let’s not forget—Hester’s been running Wade Group for years, yet she never changed the company name to her own. Odd, considering her power.”
“Maybe she’s biding her time for Dustin to take over. Even with all her dislike for her husband, Dustin’s still her son. And honestly, the board would never agree to rebrand the company.”
“Exactly. There’s a whole line of Wade relatives who’ve been waiting for years for Hester to step down. My guess? She’s grooming Dustin to claim the throne—and tying him to the Walton family seals the deal.”
“The marriage between the Wade and Walton families would bring gains to both sides.”
Those words echoed in Dolores’ ears, sending a wave of cold dread through her chest.
It was hard not to believe that Dustin’s only motivation was to keep Hester satisfied, clearing the way for him to take charge of the Wade Group.
Never had she thought he would be so fixated on power and prestige that he would willingly cast their bond aside.
As she realized this, a hollow laugh slipped from her lips—she had been fooling herself all along.
By now, it was clear: Dustin saw her as utterly replaceable.
Today marked the end. Dolores resolved to cut Dustin from her heart for good.
“Dolores, I’m glad you made it.”
The sound of her name pulled Dolores from her thoughts. Joanne had approached, her face bright with a friendly smile.
Dustin stood just beside her, his posture stiff, eyes cool and unreadable as he glanced in Dolores’ direction.
The urge to stride over and shake answers out of him surged within her—to demand why he had sent that message to Collin the previous night, to force him to explain himself. He was the one who had told her to come.
But now that she was right in front of him, he acted as if she was a complete stranger.
A bitter suspicion took root—had this all been a cruel game for his amusement?
Dolores’ lashes trembled as she fought to hold herself together, but when her gaze landed on Joanne once more, she wore a mask of perfect composure.
“Ms. Ellis, since you invited me yourself, how could I possibly turn down your hospitality?” Dolores replied, her tone calm and even.
She then turned to Dustin, offering a polite, measured smile. “Happy birthday, Dustin. I assumed you already have everything you could want, so I didn’t dare bring a gift you might not need.”
Joanne watched Dustin carefully, catching the brief flicker of emotion in his eyes.
A faint, satisfied smile played on her lips. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had hoped.
She could tell that Dolores and Dustin still held feelings for each other, and with just a little nudge, today’s gathering would give her exactly what she wanted.
Joanne let out a soft, knowing laugh. “Oh, Dolores, you’re being too humble. If anyone in Grester knows Dustin best, it’s you.”
Then, with a teasing edge, she added, “Relax, Hester’s not here yet, so you two have plenty of time to catch up.”
