No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 314

Was he seriously flirting with me in that cheeky way?

But he's always been such a straight arrow!

So, I ended up thinking maybe I was the one with the not-so-pure thoughts.

"Care to test that theory?" Ernest's burning gaze made my cheeks flare up again.

I pinched him, pretending to be mad, "You gonna listen or not? 'Cause I'll stop talking if you aren't."

"I'm listening!"

I gazed out the window, recounting to Ernest what Dustin had shared with me. After listening, he keenly asked, "You're worried, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but not about Conrad. It's the company I'm worried about," I clarified immediately.

"I know," Ernest said, softly tousling my hair. "You think there's more to this situation than meets the eye, right?"

Ernest just got me.

"Your concerns are valid. Maybe everything was calculated from the moment Dustin returned," Ernest's words made my eyes widen.

"Really?" Though I had my suspicions, hearing Ernest say it outright still shocked me.

I thought I knew Dustin. He was always the dependable big brother type, looking out for me and Conrad since we were kids.

He even left town for a few years, and when he came back not too long ago, he insisted that if he had wanted the company, he wouldn't have left in the first place.

"Maybe not before, but now? It's possible," Ernest spoke calmly. "Licia, you don't really understand men."

I couldn't argue with that. "Then give me some insight from a man's perspective."

"Dustin has feelings for you, right?" Ernest was straightforward.

"But what does this have to do with your talk of schemes?" I brought the conversation back on track.

"You girls love your TV dramas and novels. Ever watch those historical palace dramas? A king with numerous sons but only one can be the heir. The princes would do anything for favor and the throne, even turning on their own brothers," Ernest explained his point.

It's human nature—self-preservation at all costs. No one wants to be second, not even to their own sibling.

Dustin, perhaps once acting out of a 'noble heart', gave up his claim to the Wagner family legacy and the woman he loved, only to return after four years changed, wanting to reclaim everything.

Suddenly, I realized I might be a pawn in Dustin's game for power.

My heart felt heavy, and I fell silent.

Just then, a plane took off from the runway. If I wasn't mistaken, it was Conrad's flight. Watching it ascend into the blue sky, I thought of Dustin's schemes and how Herschel and Jacqueline were cutting ties with him. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Conrad.

As the plane grew distant, I silently wished, "Safe travels."