?Chapter 1079:


    “Ouch! What was that for?” Linsey yelped, rubbing the spot with mock indignation.


    “To knock some sense into you, obviously,” Dolores huffed, though her tone was fond.


    Then her expression softened. “Don’t forget who you are. You’re the renowned designer in Grester. Who says you can’t make it on your own? Certainly not me!”


    Linsey narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion. “You didn’t have to hit me to prove a point. Is there some deep-seated grudge I don’t know about?”


    Dolores chuckled but quickly grew serious again. “Look, even if you weren’t Collin’s fiancée, you’d still be you. Brave. Smart. Fierce. That strength you showed today? That was all you. Collin didn’t put that fire in you. You did.”


    She crossed her arms. “And if Harold ever dares to act up again, you could expose him online as Aurora. Let the inte roast him while we file a police report. You’d still have taken a stand—and I’d be right there with you.”


    Linsey could feel Dolores’ sincerity in every word. It moved her more than she expected. She looked at her friend and smiled warmly. “You make a lot of sense.”


    Then, after a moment of quiet reflection, she added, “I honestly don’t know if I would’ve had the courage to pummel Harold straight into the hospital without Collin behind me. But one thing’s for sure—I wouldn’t have stood by and done nothing. I would’ve stepped in to protect Shari.”


    Dolores beamed. “Now that’s the Linsey I know. Bold and fearless.” She reached up and patted Linsey’s head with affection.


    Linsey fell silent again, her thoughts drifting back to Joanne’s threats. Whether it meant relying on her own strength or borrowing Collin’s influence, one thing was certain—she had to protect Shari and Dolores. She couldn’t let Joanne’s schemes seed. Not on her watch.


    With her resolve firm and her heart lighter, Linsey linked arms with Dolores. “I haven’t even asked—did you find a good venue?”


    The instant those words left Linsey’s lips, Dolores’ smile turned rigid, freezing on her face like cracked paint.


    After a telling pause, she forced her mouth back into an upward curve and feigned nonchnce. “Everything went well. I found several promising options.”


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    Instinctively, she hoped to brush the topic aside without deeper scrutiny.


    Although she regained herposure quickly, Linsey’s sharp instincts caught that fleeting shift in her demeanor.


    “What’s wrong?” The question came with a deepening frown, Linsey’s voice taking on a more serious edge.


    That morning, Dolores had practically bounced out the door, radiating excitement. Joy over nning Dustin’s birthday celebration had filled every fiber of her being. This sudden change in behavior struck a discordant note.


    Already carrying guilt over missing their venue-hunting appointment that morning, Linsey felt her concern multiply at seeing her friend’s unusual state.


    Meeting Linsey’s prating gaze, Dolores easily recognized the worry swimming in those clear depths. Another smile crossed her lips as she gave Linsey’s arm a gentle pat. “Really, you’re overthinking this. I’m perfectly fine.”


    Linsey’s brow creased deeper, clearly unconvinced by such a dismissive response.


    Weighing her options for a moment, she watched Dolores maintain her stubborn silence before ying her trump card. “If you won’t give me the truth, I’ll just ask Collin to investigate for me. You said it yourself that we’re joined at the hip. His resources are mine to use. One way or another, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”


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