?<strong>Chapter 1097:</strong>


    The movement of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed caught attention, and Docie couldn’t help but stare.


    Madisyn had been observing Docie since she picked up the ss. She quickly noticed Docie’s lingering, adoring gaze on Dane.


    Her expression hardened. She hadn’t anticipated seeing someone develop feelings for a married man, let alone her brother.


    While most of the group was focused on Dane, they missed Docie’s gaze entirely. Madisyn stepped forward, eyeing Docie, who was still clutching the untouched ss.


    “Are you unaware that Susan can’t drink? I have to wonder—was it carelessness or intentional?” Madisyn kept her voice low, ensuring only Docie and Susan could hear her.


    Docie’s heart raced. She felt as though Madisyn had seen right through her. She quickly denied it.


    “Miss Johns, I didn’t…”


    Madisyn wasn’t interested in arguing. She simply warned, “I trust my own eyes. Susan and my brother mean everything to me, and I won’t allow anyone to harm them. Do you understand, Docie?”


    It wasn’t usual for Madisyn to be this firm, but she recognized Docie’s questionable intentions as a potential threat.


    Docie cast a helpless look at Madisyn before turning to Susan with a silent plea for understanding.


    Susan didn’t fully grasp the implication of Madisyn’s words, but she understood the part about the drink. Smiling kindly, she said, “Madisyn, I know you’re concerned, but I didn’t drink it—your brother did.”


    She remained unaware of the underlying issue. Madisyn wanted to point out Docie’s inappropriate intention butcked concrete proof, knowing Docie would deny it.


    Since Susan wasn’t in a position to handle any stress, Madisyn chose to let it go. Instead, she shot Docie a sharp warning look, silently urging her to steer clear of Dane from now on.


    Madisyn’s piercing re sent a chill down Docie’s spine, leaving her visibly unsettled.


    The dinner went onte into the night, and Docie stayed over at the manor. A maid led her to a guest room, which was spacious and fragrant. It was far more luxurious than her rented apartment, and this was merely one of the manor’s regr rooms.


    Sitting on the edge of the bed, Docie once again felt the stark divide between ordinary people and the wealthy.


    Her mind wandered, tempted to imagine what Dane might be doing, but Madisyn’s warning loomed like an unmistakable boundary, pulling her back.


    Clenching her fists, Docie stood up. She couldn’t risk offending the Johns or Riggs family. If she hoped to maintain her position, she had to bury all her forbidden desires.


    She stayed awakete into the night. In the early hours, she slowly sat up in bed once more.


    The guest room lights were off, with only a dim bedsidemp casting a faint glow.


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