Dolores froze for a second, her brows knitting as she shot Joanne a puzzled look.

She remembered that not long ago, in the jewelry store, Joanne had nearly let it slip to Hester about her secret meetings with Dustin.

Now, Joanne was suddenly acting as if she was on their side.

Whatever Joanne was plotting, Dolores knew she couldn t afford to get caught up in any drama tonight.

She shrugged it off and replied lightly, Ms. Ellis, there s nothing left for Dustin and me to discuss. I ll just head inside.

With that, Dolores stepped forward, intending to walk right past Joanne.

But just as she did, Joanne s hand shot out and grabbed her wrist in a surprisingly strong grip. Dolores gasped in pain, her brows drawing together as she instinctively flinched.

Joanne leaned in, her breath warm against Dolores s ear, and spoke in a slow, deliberate whisper. Just so you know, Dolores, today isn t just Dustin s birthday party. It s also our engagement party.

Dolores s eyes went wide, shock rippling through her as she turned around to face Joanne.

Amusement danced in Joanne s eyes, her lips curling into a victorious, icy smile that sent a shudder through Dolores.

In a little while, Hester will make the announcement in front of everyone. By the end of tonight, I ll be Dustin s fianc e, Joanne continued, not even bothering to keep her voice down.

Dolores was sure Dustin had caught every word Joanne said.

But he didn t so much as flinch, almost like he was quietly agreeing with everything Joanne said.

A cold, heavy fear settled over Dolores.

She wished more than anything that she hadn t come.

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Jaw tight, Dolores said nothing, struggling to pull her wrist free from Joanne s grasp.

But Joanne s hold only tightened, refusing to let her go.

Leaning in closer, Joanne dropped her voice to a whisper. Do you know why you lost to me, Dolores?

Dolores fought to keep her breathing steady as Joanne let out a soft, triumphant laugh. You probably haven t heard yet, but Dustin left CR Corporation a few days ago. If he wants to run Wade Group, he has to marry me.

At that, Dolores turned around to look at Dustin, her face etched with disbelief.

News that Dustin had quit CR Corporation left Dolores completely stunned; she hadn t heard a single whisper about it before now.

The idea seemed impossible to her.

Just the previous night, Collin had even shown her a message from Dustin.

Dustin locked eyes with Dolores, almost as if he was silently acknowledging Joanne s words.

Confusion swirled inside Dolores, her thoughts tangled and disoriented. The shock must have been plain on her face, because Joanne s lips curled into a knowing smile.

Leaning in, Joanne said in a slow, almost teasing tone, Honestly, I think Dustin made the right call. CR Corporation may be impressive, but at the end of the day, it s Collin s empire. What s that got to do with Dustin? Why keep playing a subordinate position at CR Corporation and obeying Collin s orders, when he could go back to the Wade Group? Give it a couple of years, and Wade Group might end up ruling Grester.

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