?Chapter 1073:


    After a moment’s reflection, Ste found her father’s reasoning hard to argue with. The Spencer Group stood at the top of the’s social pyramid. Once she married Wesley and imed her ce beside him, crushing the Harper family would be nothing more than a walk in the park.


    Restlessness kept Jolie awake throughout the night, and morning brought little relief to her sour mood.


    Trying to lift Jolie’s spirits, Elena spoke gently. “Jeffry’s grown. He knows what he’s doing, so don’t be angry. His marriage to Evelyn never meant anything real. Better to walk away now than to stay trapped in regret forever.”


    The logic made sense to Jolie, but seeing Jeffry divorced so soon after marrying left her heart aching. Divorce wasn’t something she looked down on—she was hardly old-fashioned or narrow-minded. Mostly, she just pitied Jeffry. Years had passed with him shouldering the full weight of the Harper name, both at work and at home. It had never been an easy road. Reserved and guarded, Jeffry resembled his father, always keeping his feelings under lock and key.


    A mother’s worry gnawed at Jolie. More than anything, she wished Jeffry would find someone who truly understood him, someone he could open up to without holding back. But who would’ve thought that her good intentions would lead to such a mess?


    A long sigh escaped Jolie. “You’re right, Elena. But after everything that’s happened, I worry it’ll be even tougher for Jeffry to find someone he really connects with.”


    Elena caught the hesitation in her mother’s voice and held her own counsel. Jeffry might have already figured out who he truly cared about.


    To take Jolie’s mind off the family drama, Elena suggested a shopping trip to Uchison Mall.


    But almost as soon as they walked into a boutique, fate intervened—they ran into Evelyn.


    A scowl crossed Evelyn’s face the moment she spotted them. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be Elena. Talk about bad luck. In her mind, Elena was the root of every problem, including her divorce from Jeffry. Irritation got the better of her, and she started to walk away.


    But Jolie, who had once genuinely treated Evelyn like family, called out to her, “Evelyn.”


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    Family ties might have frayed, but Jolie had no interest in bitterness or feuds.


    Annoyed, Evelyn stopped and turned back. “What do you want? I have nothing to say to anyone from the Harper family.”


    Jolie’s words came out gentle and warm. “Even though you and Jeffry have gone your separate ways, our families shared many good years. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.” They might have lost the title of inws, but the friendship built over the years lingered.


    Unmoved, Evelyn gave no sign of softening. Disdain twisted across her face as she replied, “Drop the act, Jolie. Don’t pretend you ever saw me as family. I know the truth—you all just counted the days until my marriage with Jeffry fell apart.”


    A shadow flickered in Jolie’s eyes. When had she ever hoped for such an oue? Not once had she wished divorce on them.


    Ice settled into Elena’s stare. “Mind your words, Evelyn. A little gratitude wouldn’t hurt.”


    Jolie, at her core, was a kind-hearted soul who treated everyone around her with goodwill, especially those close to her. Elena knew this well. No matter how unreasonable Evelyn acted, Jolie had never said a harsh word to her. But Evelyn didn’t see it that way. A sneerced her voice as she snapped back, “Gratitude? Give me a break. And you, Elena, aren’t you the real problem? If you’d stayed out of it, Jeffry and I wouldn’t have divorced. Are you happy now? You’ve wrecked my life and handed your slutty friend my spot. Don’t get too smug. Those ruining someone else’s marriage always get what’sing to them. Karma’s waiting for you.”


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