Chapter 1124:
A flash of embarrassment colored Linsey’s cheeks as she tugged Collin firmly back into his seat. “Collin, just stay put.”
It astonished her that Hester’s offhand remark had rattled Collin so deeply. Anyone watching might have thought Dustin harbored feelings for her.
Linsey’s quiet command took the edge off Collin’s temper. Nevertheless, his hand remained locked around Linsey’s, and the guarded look he shot Hester held nothing back—a far cry from the calm professionalism he usually displayed as CR Corporation’s leader.
“You know, Collin, it’s rather unexpected for someone as reserved as you to end up with Linsey. Luck seems to have favored you,” Hester remarked.
A sharp huff escaped Collin, and though frustration flickered in his eyes, Linsey’s silent warning kept him from launching another retort. Collin’s silence brought Linsey some relief.
Directing her attention back to Hester, Linsey addressed her evenly. “Mrs. Wade, I doubt we’re here just so you could compliment me.”
Her lips curved in a polite, knowing smile as she added, “I imagine what’s really weighing on you is Dustin’s situation.”
Hester’s brows rose slightly, her gaze never leaving Linsey. “Only a moment ago did I catch on that you and Dustin had been staging everything. You didn’t just fool me—Joanne was swept up in it as well.”
A pointed glance went to Joanne, who had yet to utter a word, and Hester inquired, “Isn’t that so?”
Tension swept back into the room, settling heavily over everyone present.
A chill lingered in Joanne’s stare as she gradually raised her head, locking eyes with Hester. “Are you saying, Hester, that you want to break off our engagement?”
A quiet laugh slipped from Hester, her reply almost airy. “I’ve already stated my position. In my eyes, you are the most fitting choice for Dustin’s wife…”
Before she could complete her thought, Dustin’s nerves snapped and his voice burst out. “Mom, after everything that’s happened, you’re still pushing for me to marry Joanne? She has no feelings for me. She loves Jeffery! You saw it with your own eyes. When the chandelier was swinging, the only thing she cared about was getting Jeffery to safety. She didn’t even notice I was right there!”
Each word from Dustin came faster, his complaints becoming more outlandish. “This night was supposed to be our engagement celebration, and she barely acknowledged me, her supposed fiancé. If we end up married, there’s a real chance she’ll disappear with our family’s wealth just to chase after Jeffery!”
The accusations became so wild that Linsey’s patience snapped.
“Enough, Dustin,” Linsey interjected. “You’re a grown man. Why do you expect a woman to protect you? And honestly, running off with your fortune is not nearly as simple as you make it sound.”
Watching Dustin fret over the family’s assets, Linsey couldn’t help but think that if he let Joanne walk away with the Wade fortune, he truly would be beyond help.
Her interjection wasn’t an attempt to defend Joanne—just a blunt response from one woman to another.
The candor in Linsey’s words drew a look of surprise from Joanne.
Finally, after being confronted so directly, Dustin realized he had gone too far. He shrank back a bit, muttering with embarrassment, “I just wish Mom would really think this through.”
“Would you let me finish before jumping to conclusions?” Hester’s sharp look cut straight to Dustin. He always lost his cool whenever Dolores was involved.
