The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 871

"Well... You're right. I can't fix that." Jeffrey sprawled on the couch, his lips curling into a wry smile.

"Seriously, the way Dorothy speaks and acts, it's downright hurtful. If I were Everett, I'd have thrown in the towel ages ago—wouldn't have waited until now!"

Karen's eyes turned into slits of disapproval upon hearing him criticize her best friend. "What did you just say?"

"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" Jeffrey felt compelled to speak up for his buddy. "Come on, tell me where Everett has ever done Dorothy wrong? Sure, he was sneaky, not exactly upfront about marrying Dorothy, and yes, he used the fact that Dorothy's mom needed money for medical bills. But once he won her over, he treated her like a freaking treasure! Have you ever seen someone as rich as him grovel for a woman's affection like that?"

Jeffrey was flabbergasted, to say the least. He'd watched Everett morph from a cold and aloof blue-blooded gentleman into Dorothy's devoted little lapdog!

"I—uh," Karen started but couldn't quite pin down any faults in Everett.

Jeffrey crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at her. "Go on, I'm all ears."

"He wants to marry Dorothy but can't handle his own parents. Isn't that on him?"

"That doesn't mean he's mistreated her, does it? His parents aren't him. Who can control others? Can you dictate your own parents' actions? Besides, Dorothy's been safe all these years. Who do you think the Lopez elders are wary of? Dorothy? They're scared of Everett turning his back on them!"

Jeffrey spread his hands in exasperation. "Anything else?"

"She shouldn't have been dragged into this in the first place," said Karen.

"You're hesitating?" Karen pressed.

Jeffrey raked his hand through his hair, visibly distressed. "Karen, you're not gonna like the answer to that question."

"Everett is more important, right?" Karen sat up straight. "Fine, then you go live with Everett! Let him have your babies!"

As she moved to leave, Jeffrey hurried over, apologizing profusely. "I'm sorry, all right? It's just that Everett... he's like family, even more than my own parents. But I swear you're definitely my number two!"

"Get lost, don't talk to me."