Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After Novel

Chapter 1136: Dustin wanted to prove he could handle things on his own and not depend on Collin every time something went wrong. He kept his tone steady as he spoke. "Collin, I think it's best if you and Linsey don't get caught up in this mess." It seemed clear to him that Joanne had been trying to hang on to him and Dolores, and it was their issue to sort out. Linsey and Collin didn't need to get involved or bring trouble on themselves. Collin thought it over for a few seconds before agreeing. "Alright, she's yours to deal with.

Talk things through and don't feel you have to be too gentle." Dustin signaled for his own team to step in and take Joanne off Collin's hands. Joanne, who had put up a fight before, suddenly went quiet and let herself be led away without a word. Hester gave Dustin a cold look and said sharply, "They have power and influence, and yet you refuse their help. You're making things so much harder than they need to be." Collin had clearly offered to step in, but Dustin and Dolores insisted on managing things themselves. Hester honestly could not figure out why they would choose that path.

Dustin pressed his lips together and explained, "Mom, this is something we can manage on our own. There's no need to get Collin involved over something so small. Besides, if Kase realizes he can't reach Joanne, he'll start asking questions. Sure, I could say I'm trying to build a relationship with her, and he probably wouldn't care. But if he finds out she's with Collin, he'll be suspicious right away." Hester thought about it for a moment and realized he had a point.

She gave Dustin a stern look and said, "Listen, if you ever try to pull some stunt to trick me again, don't bother calling me Mom." Dustin lifted an eyebrow and responded playfully, "Of course, Mrs. Wade." Hester's irritation flared, and she looked like she might reach out and swat Dustin on the head. "You little rascal, you're really testing my patience tonight!" With the biggest problem finally behind him, Dustin felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders and even found himself teasing the usually serious Hester. "Come on, Mom, don't get so worked up.

I think you've picked up a few new worry lines. You know, it's-" Mσrε υpdαтes ιn Gαlnσνels.cσm "Probably because you've been stressing too much over nothing," Dustin joked with a playful grin. Hester gazed at Dustin, the son she had raised on her own, and a wave of sadness passed through her. She realized in that moment that sometimes letting go was the smarter move, since holding on too tightly might only pull her further away from him. Up until tonight, Hester had always believed she could see things more clearly than Dustin ever could.

Now, after everything that had happened with Joanne, she had no choice but to respect Dustin's choices. She turned to Dolores, this time letting go of the old resentment and coldness she used to feel. Dolores, caught off guard, greeted her quietly, "Mrs. Wade." For once, Hester's features softened, and her voice turned gentle. "Since you're Dustin's girlfriend, you can just call me Hester." Dolores stared in shock, hardly able to process what she had just heard. She looked at Hester, who was actually smiling at her, and wondered if she was imagining things.

It was hard for her to believe that Hester's attitude could change so quickly-and become so warm. . . .