?Chapter 1097:


    Dolores’ confusion deepened. “I’ve been swamped withpany paperwork and tasks these past two days. I was so exhausted tonight, I crashed right after washing up and forgot to let you know.”


    She paused, her face growing serious, and lowered her voice. “Linsey, did someone feed you the wrong information?”


    Dolores could tell by Linsey’s reaction that she had believed she might be in danger.


    But as their eyes met, Linsey realized something vital—continuing to conceal the truth from her friend would no longer protect her; it would only ce her at greater risk.


    Up until now, she had chosen silence, not wanting to burden Dolores with unnecessary worry.


    However, faced with Joanne’s recent threats, Linsey knew she could no longer shield her from reality. Dolores needed to be aware and remain cautious—truly cautious.


    With solemn resolve, Linsey began recounting everything—from Joanne’s previous provocations to the chilling phone call she had received earlier.


    “What Joanne said at the end unsettled me the most. If you were still living with Collin and me, I’d feel safer… but now, with you on your own…” Her voice trailed off as herposure faltered. The fear she had felt during her drive here still clung to her like a shadow. “You have no idea how terrified I was.”


    Before she could say more, both Collin and Dolores chimed in simultaneously.


    “Everything is going to be fine,” they reassured Linsey.


    Collin gently tightened his grip on her hand, offering a steadying presence. “There’s always a solution, Linsey. We just have to stay calm.”


    Dolores nodded in agreement, her tone surprisingly light. “Even if Joanne really is insane enough to try kidnapping me, you and Collin are clever—you’d find a way to save me.”


    Though she spoke lightly, Dolores couldn’t shake off the unsettling thought that Joanne had used her rtionship with Dustin as a tool to threaten Linsey. It disturbed her more than she let on.


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    Sensing the depth of Linsey’s worry, she sat closer, softening her tone. “These past few days must have been incredibly stressful for you. You’ve been trying to protect me while dealing with so much on your own.”


    Then her expression hardened with anger. “Joanne really is twisted. No decent human being would deliberately try to tear apart two people who care about each other.”


    Watching the two women huddle together in hushed solidarity, Collin stood and walked over to the dining table, deliberately giving them space.


    He nced at his phone, hesitated for a moment, then sent a message to Dustin.


    Meanwhile, Linsey tried to reassure her friend. “I wasn’t afraid for myself, Dolores. I’m just… scared that you and Dustin might miss your chance.”


    At that moment, Dolores’ expression dimmed; her eyes veiled with quiet resolve. “It’s alright. I’ve already decided not to continue with him anyway.”


    Linsey blinked in surprise. Just days earlier, she had seen the pain in Dolores’s eyes—the heartbreak and hesitation.


    She hadn’t expected her to reach such a final conclusion so soon.


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