?Chapter 958:


    Not protection. Surveince.


    Hester wasn’t just interfering—she was trying to control every step he took, just in case he might meet Dolores in secret.


    Dustin stood silently, his lips tightening. Then, a hollowugh slipped from his throat—dry and bitter.


    He turned away, blinking slowly, fighting back the heat behind his eyes.


    So, this was her answer. She was determined to keep him from Dolores.


    “Mr. Wade…” One of the men started cautiously.


    Dustin didn’t look at them. He drew a long, shaky breath. “I get it.” There was no point in ming them. They were just doing their jobs—carrying out her orders. Even if he fought them off, it wouldn’t change a thing.


    And if he pushed too hard, Hester would do exactly what she threatened. She woulde for Dolores and the Davidson Group.


    Four years. He had watched Dolores pour her heart into saving thatpany, working day and night to lift it from the brink.


    He knew what it had cost her. If everything she had built was torn apart because of him, he wasn’t sure he could live with himself.


    A tightness rose in his chest, constricting his throat. He turned away, trying to swallow the lump that formed.


    Then his phone vibrated.


    Dustin tensed. He pulled it from his pocket and nced at the screen.


    It was Collin calling.


    Updates loaded at gαlησνe??s


    He steadied his breath, clenched his fist, and answered.


    “Hey, Collin. What’s up?”


    His voice was calm. Too calm.


    But after a brief pause, another voice answered. “It’s me.”


    The sound of her voice cracked something inside him. His entire expression shifted. His eyes shimmered, and he turned abruptly, opening the car door and sliding back into the driver’s seat. “Alright. I’m listening.”


    Without looking at the group outside, he slipped in his Bluetooth earpiece and started the engine again.


    But this time, he didn’t head toward Collin’s ce.


    In the side mirror, he saw the staff scrambling back into their car, following him yet again.


    Dustin didn’t react. His knuckles tightened on the wheel. Then her voice came through—soft, steady, like a balm to the storm raging inside him.


    “Are you okay right now?” Dolores asked.


    The moment Dustin heard those words, his face shifted with mixed emotions.


    He had expected Dolores toin or ask something sharp—but she did neither.


    Instead, she simply asked how he was, as if nothing had happened. That hurt more than anything.


    “I’m… I’m okay,” Dustin said, struggling to keep his emotions in check. Still, his voice shook slightly.


    Worried she might catch on, he quickly asked, “And you? Still at Collin’s ce?”


    Dolores gave a light chuckle. Her voice was calm, as if the past few days hadn’t happened. “Yes. Linsey wants me to stay a few more days.”


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