?Chapter 372:


    Caiden, who was nearby, overheard everything.


    As Richard left, Caiden’s expression darkened with thought. If Dani married Alexander, he wouldn’t see a penny of her wealth, and his ties to the Bet family would be severed. He pondered how he would support Joyce and the rest of the family.


    Concerned, Caiden called Joyce.


    When she heard Caiden’s news, Joyce became anxious. She changed her clothes and was about to leave when Katrina intervened.


    “Joyce, think about this. Marrying into the Bet family without the Harper family’s wealth might not be wise. Let me devise a n.”


    Joyce, visibly upset, responded, “What n? I love Alexander. Don’t you want me to marry him? Are you using me to fight for the Harper family’s fortune?”


    Katrina was taken aback.


    “What are you implying?” She hadn’t realized her daughter would view her actions in such a light.


    “Isn’t it obvious? Dad said the Bet family wants to be close to Dani and invited Marlin to mediate. Alexander is amazing, and since Dani’s divorce, she’s been trying to win him back. Can’t you see what’s happening? If I hesitate, I’ll end up with someone else, perhaps a divorced man. Remember, you didn’t have a dowry when you married into the Harper family, and you brought me into it. How am I different from you back then? Haven’t we lived well for the past decade?”


    Joyce was resolute, her frustration evident.


    “I’m following my heart. Don’t try to stop me because of selfishness!”


    Then she ran out, her skirt billowing behind her like a whirlwind.


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    As Joyce stepped onto the scene, she spotted Caiden already there, awaiting her arrival.


    He guided her across the street to a vantage point opposite avish restaurant.


    Peering through the ss, Joyce caught sight of Richard fawning over Marlin, while Alexander maintained a facade of courteous subservience nearby, his smile strained yet polite. In that moment, the fragile fabric of Joyce’s romantic fantasies tore apart, leaving her confronted with a stark reality. One thought consumed her entirely: she had to be Alexander’s wife.


    Despite her seeming defeat to Dani in many aspects, in the matter of Alexander, Joyce had triumphed decisively.


    She had evenpelled him to divorce Dani, a victory that she considered the pinnacle of her life’s narrative.


    True, she was born out of wedlock, a simple girl from the countryside, often the subject of scorn whispered by the elite women of high society.


    Yet, what did their derision matter when she had bested their paragon, Dani?


    This triumph alone could fuel her pride for a lifetime.


    And now, the mere thought of Alexander returning to Dani sparked a fierce jealousy and resolve within Joyce.


    Joyce stood on the bustling street, her fists clenched and eyes alight with fierce determination.


    Caiden, lingering nearby, silently watched her reaction unfold. For a brief moment, Joyce’s look of displeasure and reluctance stirred memories of a younger Katrina in him.


    Back in those days, Katrina had been gued by the fear that his affections might drift towards Brylee. And then, tragedy struck—Brylee passed away.


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