<b>Chapter </b><b>179 </b>


    She preferred bold, confident women. In her words, someone with a frail and dainty look likely had a weak heart.


    and a small mind.


    Judging people by their looks was not ideal, but Michelle had seen a lot in her lifetime. Her words held some truth.


    “I cannot help you,” I stated bluntly.


    “Why?” Thea asked, a hint of panic in her voice.


    I pressed my lips together lightly and replied, “Michelle is strong–willed. No one can easily change her mind.”


    “But she loves you. She would at least consider what you say,” Thea lowered her gaze, making herself look pitiful, and pleaded, “You know my situation. If I lose Alvin, I do not know how I will survive.”


    Her husband had died, and she had not seemed worried. Yet now, because Alvin might abandon her, she suddenly


    could not go on?


    I almostughed.


    “If you know how much Michelle cares about me, then you should also understand that she will never ept you,” I replied. Michelle had always considered me her ideal daughter–inw. If it was not me, it would not be anyone.


    Thea fell silent.


    “Miss Mills, if you want happiness, you have to fight for it yourself. You cannot rely on others,” I said, then stood up.


    Thea murmured, “What if there was no child? Would his family ept me then?”


    Hearing this, I frowned slightly. ‘Did I not make myself clear enough just now?‘ I thought.


    But I was too tired to continue the conversation. I simply walked away.


    When I told Jasmine about Thea’s request, she shook her head and chuckled, “She really is shameless.”


    I pouted, “She might be able to be with Alvin, but getting epted into the Dolton family? That will not be easy.”


    I knew Peter and Michelle well. Peter cared about reputation. He did not expect Alvin to marry someone from a wealthy background, but at the very least, she had to have a clean past.


    As for Michelle, there was no way she would let her son raise another man’s child,


    “She knew she had no chance, so she came to you for a shortcut. You did not agree, did you?” Jasmine asked.


    I clinked my ss against hers andughed, “Do you think I am stupid, or just heartless?”


    Jasmine chuckled, shaking her head, “Alvin seemed like an intelligent guy, but I honestly do not know what got into him this time.”


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    “Whatever happens to him is no longer my concern. Come on, let’s not talk about him. It ruins the mood,” I said, downing my drink.


    The wine was rich and slightly bitter, warming me as it went down.


    I could hold my liquor, but after a few sses, I was still a little drunk.


    In the end, Jasmine took me home. She wanted to bring me to her ce, but I refused.


    “I want to go to my own home,” I murmured.


    Jasmine eyed me. “Do you have something on your mind? Looking for Josh?”


    I grinned and nodded. “Mhm, but who knows if that jerk is even home?”


    When Jasmine dropped me off, Josh’s door was closed. I walked over and knocked. “Josh, open up. Stop avoiding


    me–I know you’re in there.”


    “He probably isn’t home,” Jasmine noted, seeing that there was no response after a while.


    “He is. He is just hiding from me. All I did was kiss him without taking responsibility, and now he is holding a grudge?” Iined.


    Jasmine’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she probed, “Wait, you kissed him? Did you make the first move? Zoe, you really went for it.”


    “It was just a kiss! If I had really gone all the way, I wouldn’t be mad right now,” I shook my head and added, “He is no fun. Too fragile.”


    Jasmine gasped, “Zoe, do you actually have feelings for Josh?”


    “Of course,” I hupped, emboldened by the alcohol. “Jasmine, I really want to take off his tank top and feel his


    chest and abs, and…”


    Before I could finish, the door suddenly swung open. Josh stood there, towel in hand, his damp hair dripping as he


    stared at me.