?<strong>Chapter 462:</strong>


    Stephen sped her hand in his. His eyes caught the vivid handprint etched on her cheek, but he decided to let it slide.


    Facing Fred, Stephen proimed, “M hasn’t been home in years, and I’ve missed her so much. From now on, she’ll live with me in Illerith and won’t be leaving my side!”


    The only one who bristled at Stephen’s words was Fred, yet he found himself unable to challenge his authority. Once they left the room, Fred could only urge M to tread carefully moving forward.


    “Adrian and Joelle share a strong bond. If you keep spouting this thoughtless nonsense, I won’t defend you before Adrian anymore.”


    Having absorbed the lesson from the p, M now carried herself with a newfound humility, her demeanor noticeably more subdued. “I know.”


    Fred didn’t waste any more time on her. As M watched his figure fade into the distance, a wave of indignation surged within her.


    Did Adrian really harbor such profound love for Joelle? She could hardly wrap her mind around it.


    She had everything Joelle had; she deserved a man who would be just as unwaveringly devoted to her.


    M had long perceived Joelle as her phantom rival, and the idea that she couldn’t capture this man’s heart was simply inconceivable to her.


    A few dayster, Adrian set off for an international conference.


    This conference had been on the calendar since the beginning of the year, and Adrian was set to represent all domestic businessmen, poised to deliver a pivotal speech and proposal.


    The conference was being broadcast live on television. Joelle lounged in her hospital room, snacking on fruit while captivated by the unfolding events on screen.


    Adrian’s face, already a sight to behold in person, became even more mesmerizing on screen, radiating an undeniable charm.


    His long, thick eyshes, captivating gaze, and sculpted features elicited praise even from Katherine, who found herself unable to resistplimenting him. “Isn’t he absolutely breathtaking? The whole world knows he’s yours.”


    Joelle skewered a piece of apple with her fork, a smug satisfaction swelling in her heart. “He’s not bad. I’ve grown ustomed to his looks after seeing him every day.”


    The camera swept over the audience,nding on Shawn, who stood out distinctly among a cluster of middle-aged men.


    He smiled serenely at the camera, extending a warm greeting to viewers across the nation.


    “Wow, Mr. Watson is quite the handsome one too!” the nurse teased yfully as she removed Joelle’s IV. “Ms. Watson, your brother doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he?”


    “No, he doesn’t.”


    “Is there someone he’s interested in?”


    Joelle shot a sly nce at Katherine. “The person he likes doesn’t feel the same way. I doubt I’ll be getting a sister-inw anytime soon.”


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