Marrying A Secret Zillionaire Happy Ever After (Linsey)

Chapter 1126:

Reining in her anger, Hester closed her eyes, a sudden thought creeping into her mind.

“Are you afraid that Kase will hold it against you later?” Hester asked, her voice calm but perceptive.

Joanne didn’t even try to deny it. “Of course I am.”

She turned away, her movements slow and deliberate, walking toward the window. Her voice dropped to a soft murmur. “Kase acknowledges me as a Walton. That status grants me access to Grester’s elite circles. But in truth, he doesn’t care about me. I’m just a pawn to him—a tool to bring greater benefits to the Walton family.”

As the words fell, Joanne paused by the window, her silhouette outlined by the fading light. She stared blankly into the distance. “Even for tonight’s engagement party, he declined to attend, citing poor health as an excuse.”

The room fell into an almost reverent silence. The only sound was the faint rhythm of their breathing.

downplayed the importance of the engagement party to defend Dolores, using its simplicity to

of fighting for her own identity, she had reduced herself to the image of an

exhaled quietly, unable to find the right words

had far less tolerance for sentiment. The longer

fallen for some other wealthy bachelor, she might have

feelings for Jeffery. Jeffery was not only married, but about to become a father, and his relationship with Alicia was widely known to be stable and

was that Joanne, fully aware

lingering gaze on Jeffery earlier that

dangerous. Joanne would not let go easily. And when things spiraled out of control, Dustin would be

Hester couldn’t allow

made her decision. The engagement had

public embarrassment,” Hester said coolly. “I won’t expose your feelings for Jeffery. Let’s just part ways