?Chapter 1045:


    “Well,” Joanne released a soft, deliberately vague sigh. “It happened just a few days ago. Dustin was present that day as well.”


    Out of Hester’s sight, Dustin’s body went visibly rigid.


    Even Dolores, positioned several steps away, could feel the waves of nervous energy radiating from him.


    She had never witnessed this vulnerable side of him before.


    Confusion suddenly washed over Dolores.


    Was Dustin really this terrified? Could he truly be so frightened of his mother discovering that they had neverpletely cut ties?


    She recalled how, just a short while earlier, Dustin had boldly suggested they should escape together.


    Back then, she had sensibly refused his proposal.


    Now, though, regret gnawed at her heart.


    Seeing Dustin stand so intimately close to another woman sent waves of agony through her chest.


    What hurt more was watching Dustin make absolutely no attempt to create distance between himself and Joanne.


    He had sworn to her that he would find a way for them to be together. Yet here he stood, escorting Joanne through a jewelry store, attentively helping her select an expensive ne.


    Joanne’s carefully chosen words immediately aroused Hester’s suspicion.


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    Hester’s expression turned cial as she addressed Dustin, her voice dripping with arctic coldness. “And where precisely did you and Joanne encounter Ms. Davidson?”


    Dustin’s mouth twitched slightly at the corner. Avoiding Dolores’ gaze entirely, he responded with forced casualness, “Grester isn’t exactly a sprawling metropolis. Running into familiar faces happens all the time, doesn’t it?”


    Then he cast a casual nce toward Hester. “Joanne has been acquainted with Linsey for quite some time now. It’s hardly shocking that she’d know Dolores as well.”


    Dustin understood perfectly that Hester had intentionally hidden his connection to Dolores in front of Joanne.


    Since Hester wanted to maintain this charade, he figured he might as well cooperate.


    He knew Hester would never risk discussing his romantic entanglements with Joanne listening.


    Thest thing Hester wanted was for Joanne—her handpicked choice for the perfect daughter-inw—to decide against marrying into the Wade family.


    If such a disaster urred, all of Hester’s careful scheming and investment would crumble to nothing.


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