Dustin s gaze flickered briefly in her direction, his lips pressing into a thin, unreadable line.

Joanne, however, wasn t about to let it go. Her eyes shifted slyly between Linsey and Dustin, and she teased with a light laugh, Don t tell me Collin s sudden busyness has something to do with Dustin s abrupt departure from CR Corporation?

Linsey lowered her gaze slightly, neither confirming nor denying. A flicker of displeasure crossed her face just enough to make her emotions seem genuine.

If Dustin insisted on staging a falling out with his best friend, then she would play along. After all, she was genuinely curious to see what storm he was plotting to summon.

Finally, Dustin broke his silence. His tone was slow and indifferent. With Collin s capabilities, replacing me would have been effortless. The fact that he s not here likely just means he no longer considers me worth his time.

Dustin, what are you even talking about? Dolores interjected, disbelief etched across her face.

Until now, she had remained quiet, but hearing Dustin speak so dismissively of Collin struck a nerve. She knew better. If not for Collin s earnest words, she wouldn t have even considered attending Dustin s birthday party.

He genuinely hoped she and Dustin wouldn t miss out on each other. It was clear to her that Collin still saw Dustin as a good friend. Otherwise, someone as famously distant as Collin would have stayed silent.

Dustin s expression darkened, his voice turning sharp. Linsey is Collin s wife. But you? What exactly is your relationship with him? Why are you acting so concerned?

You Dolores blinked, stunned, staring at him as though he were someone she no longer recognized.

When had Dustin become this person? She had always believed in the deep bond he shared with Collin.

And even if she is concerned, so what? Linsey interjected coldly. You re criticizing Dolores for being anxious, yet you re the one behaving like a man unraveling. Anyone watching this would think you were jealous.

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She tilted her head, her voice dripping with irony. Isn t this supposed to be your engagement party with Joanne? So tell me who is your real partner here? Joanne, or Dolores?

Her laughter was light, but her tone was anything but. You re meddling far too much, Dustin. It s ridiculous.

With that, Linsey dismissed them both, her contempt palpable. She took Dolores by the hand and walked off without another word, ignoring the hosts entirely.

Linsey seemed truly upset Should we send her a gift to smooth things over? Joanne asked sweetly, her tone laced with calculated innocence.

Dustin let out a faint, bitter laugh. Is she really worth all that? Why should I apologize to her? Everything she has, all that arrogance it s just because she s Collin s wife. She s far more commanding than she was four years ago.

At that, Joanne s lips curled with satisfaction. She was quietly pleased that events were unfolding just as she had hoped.

What she failed to realize, however, was that everything up to this moment and far beyond had been masterfully orchestrated by Dustin, Linsey, and Collin from the very start.

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