The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 859

"Jeffrey, my mom was innocent, too."

Jeffrey was rendered speechless.

Dorothy peered at him, her voice edged with resolve. "I owe Everett a lot, but I've got debts to repay to my mom first."

Jeffrey's lips quivered, struggling to find his voice amid the tension.

"So you used Everett, got your mom's lawsuit up and running smoothly, and then, when he's no longer of use, you just kick him back into the abyss, leaving him to fend for himself, right?"

"Interpret it how you want."

Maybe it was the late hour or the stress of hashing out these issues, but Dorothy decided to just let it go.

No explanations, nothing to explain.

"Fucking hell, you really are—really something! Everett deserved better from you!" Jeffrey cursed, his anger boiling over at her attitude.

Dorothy felt too restless to remain in the car any longer, so she abruptly pushed open the rear door and stepped out without a second thought.

She quickened her pace, hoping to find a reprieve, but fate had other plans; no cabs were in sight. Before she had gone far, Jeffrey's car pulled up beside her, blocking her path.

"Dorothy, do you want Karen to have my head when you get back?" he called out, his voice tinged with concern.

"I won't tell her," she replied tersely.

"But if something happens to you, it won't just be Karen after me; Everett will have my hide, too!"

Jeffrey might not have liked Dorothy's defeatist attitude or her flippant tone, but he knew he had to ensure her safety. That much sense he still had, or else he might well be signing his own death warrant.

"I don't need your help," Dorothy insisted, "I can hail a cab myself."

She wanted to avoid further discussion about Everett with Jeffrey, preferring to be alone with her thoughts.

He didn't want to incite Karen's wrath.

"What did you talk about?" Karen's brow furrowed even at the vague explanation. "You don't know her, Jeffrey. Can't you just avoid small talk with her?"

"It wasn't just small talk... It was about Everett."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of! Do you think I'm jealous and that's why I don't want you talking to her?" Karen's voice dropped, exasperated. "Dorothy's already stressed out enough, and you're just adding fuel to the fire!"

Jeffrey felt a twinge of annoyance at her words.

"She's stressed? Is Everett having the time of his life, then? Dorothy's the one who's hurt him over and over, and now she's the one who's stressed?"

Karen stood up, hands on hips, and looked up at him defiantly. "Are you playing the knight in shining armor here? Let me ask you this: if my mom killed your mom, would you be able to let it go, say it doesn't matter, and then carry on with me without a grudge?"

Jeffrey was at a loss for words.