?Chapter 998:


    Linsey and Collin were yet to remarry. If Joanne struck at the right moment, she could wedge herself between them.


    Dolores knew with absolute certainty that Collin’s devotion to Linsey would never waver.


    Still, the thought of Linsey enduring such interference stirred protective anger within her.


    Before Dolores could voice her concerns about Joanne’s intentions, the woman smoothly pocketed Dustin’s money and began counting it. “I’ll keep your secret this time, but you’d be wise to ensure Hester never discovers the truth.”


    After letting the silence stretch, Joanne lifted her gaze to meet Dustin’s. “Otherwise, Hester will have us walking down the aisle in the near future.”


    The color drained from Dustin’s face as the reality of a forced marriage to Joanne struck him. Not even the pretense of a smile could find its way to his lips.


    With her message delivered, Joanne pivoted toward the exit.


    She paused at the threshold, ncing back. “Six o’clock tonight at the Cloudway Mall cinema entrance. We’ll need to sell this performance convincingly, or Hester will see right through us.”


    Within moments, Joanne had vanishedpletely from their view.


    Dolores remained motionless, her suspicious stare lingering on the path Joanne had taken, her thoughts churning with unspoken concerns. Dustin, by contrast, seemed to shed his tension the moment Joanne disappeared. His expression brightened as he turned to Dolores with renewed energy. “She’s finally gone. Come on, let’s get out of here.”


    Dolores studied Dustin’s face, her brow creasing with concern as she spoke in measured tones. “Do you really trust Joanne that much?”


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    A low chuckle escaped Dustin’s lips, his posture casual yet his eyes steady and unwavering. “Trust me, Joanne couldn’t care less about me.”


    “Really?” Something in Dustin’s absolute certainty caught Dolores off guard.


    Seeing he had finally captured her full attention, Dustin’s expression softened into a tender smile as he reached for her hand. “Come on, let’s head downstairs and talk properly in the car.”


    Unable to resist his gentle insistence, Dolores allowed him to guide her toward the hospital’s underground parking garage.


    Within moments, they had settled into the quiet sanctuary of the car. With Dustin’s fingers still intertwined with hers, Dolores made no move to start the engine.


    She hungered for more details about Joanne, so she pressed further. “Has Joanne actually told you she’s not interested?”


    Dustin’s eyebrow arched as the words spilled out almost reflexively. “Joanne’s young. I can read these things at a nce, whether a woman’s interested or not. After all the rtionships I’ve had…” The words died in his throat as he caught sight of Dolores’ expression, silently cursing his thoughtless tongue.


    Dolores let out an exasperated sigh and yanked her hand free, her voice dripping with barely contained sarcasm. “Right, I forgot how experienced you are. If you can see through Joanne so effortlessly, you must have mepletely figured out by now.”


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