Chapter 158: Chapter 166

Despair clouded Joseline’s face as she curled her lips into a bitter grin. “As expected, you’d only react when her name is mentioned. Hanson, I’ve been by your side for over ten years. Yet, I still can’t compare to her, huh?”

While she spoke, Hanson suddenly tossed his luggage away and turned around to go upstairs. He grasped her arms and looked at her gloomily. “How was she disfigured? Are you the one who did it?”

“Am I that kind of person in your eyes?” Joseline sneered and didn’t hide the disappointment on her face at all.

“I’m sure you know what kind of person you are.” He looked at her with an expression of ridicule.

Shortly after, he grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the study.

Joseline was flustered when she saw Hanson’s stance, as it seemed like he had discovered something. With a panicked look on her face, she tried to break free from his grip. “Stop pulling me!

Where are you bringing me, Hanson?”

However, she was no match for Hanson’s strength. He dragged her over with all his might and opened the drawer under the desk, then took out a stack of photographs from it. “Look at how promiscuous you are!”

Hanson threw the photographs at Joseline’s face. She forgot to dodge, and the pain caused her to inhale sharply.

Staring down at the photographs right in front of her—which exposed her playing around with other men—she was thoroughly stunned. Without realizing it, she stumbled back slightly in response.

She couldn’t believe how Hanson had found out about these matters, and she didn’t understand how her pictures were secretly taken when she had done a superb job of keeping everything confidential.

Yet, she soon regained her composure and hurriedly grabbed Hanson’s arm. With an aggrieved look, she pleaded, “Hanson, listen to me. It’s not what you think…”

“It’s not what I think? What else do you have to say, then?” Hanson retorted coldly. In that instant, he reached his hands out to grab Joseline’s neck, wanting to vent his hatred for her. “I thought you were just a difficult woman to deal with, but it looks like I’ve underestimated you. You’re truly bad to the core!”

His eyes were filled with iciness as he glared at Joseline in disgust. Then, he warned, “I will never let you off the hook if something happens to Angeline!”

With that, he turned around and left. His tall and sturdy figure appeared extremely distant.

Joseline was utterly dumbfounded and collapsed onto the ground. She gripped the corners of her shirt with her slender fingers and shouted hysterically, “Hanson Yiurk! I will never divorce you! Never!”

Yet, there was no response from him at all. She was so agitated that her entire body trembled uncontrollably. As she broke down, she let out a shriek.

No matter how hard she had tried to hold their marriage together, she understood clearly that it was only a trick to deceive herself.

I’m doomed. My marriage with Hanson will never return to the way it was!

With that thought in mind, a hint of hatred flickered in Joseline’s eyes, and the aura surrounding her was filled with murderous intent.

Since Hanson had no regard for her, she would resort to despicable strategies.

Ever since she had made a move on the old Sorelle couple when she wanted to get her hands on Sorelle Group, she had already dirtied her hands to the point of no return.

Hence, there was no point in holding back anymore as there was no turning back.

Meanwhile, in the cafe, Angeline sat in a private room that was properly sealed. After waiting for a short while, an energetic young man arrived.

“Are you all right, Angie? I left my work behind as soon as I received your text message.” Jacob looked at Angeline with concern. She was hiding her face behind a veil, so he couldn’t see her injuries clearly, causing him to worry.

“My face is still a little sensitive, but the doctor assured me that there most likely won’t be scars. Don’t worry,” Angeline explained gently. She was touched when she saw how worried Jacob was for her. “I’m sorry that I made you worry.”

Hearing her explanation, Jacob let out a sigh of relief. He then sat down on the couch casually and chuckled. “What are you talking about, Angie? I’ll definitely help you as long as you call me whenever you’re in need!”

Upon hearing that, a guilty look appeared on Angeline’s face. In truth, she really did need Jacob’s help.

This morning, she upset Evander by speaking of this matter, and she had thought about giving up.

However, Forrester Group needed immediate help.

The stock was piling up every day, and they were constantly losing capital from their unprofitable sales and from paying huge amounts of wages.

Thus, she couldn’t hinder serious matters just because of her selfish reasons.

With that thought in mind, Angeline strengthened her resolve and called the waiter over.

“What would you like to order?” asked the waiter.

Angeline asked for a menu from the waiter and handed it to Jacob. Then, she said in an unusually gentle voice, “What would you like to eat? It’ll be my treat.”

“Angie, why are you being so nice today? I’m not used to seeing you like this.” Jacob scratched the back of his head awkwardly. However, he didn’t hold back and ordered something off the menu.

Jacob’s childlike bashfulness caused Angeline to chortle uncontrollably as if she was looking at a younger sibling. “Why not? Can’t I treat you to a meal when there aren’t any occasions? Are we that distant?”

“Of course not. I couldn’t be happier.” A look of surprise appeared on Jacob’s face. Yet, he still looked at Angeline with a strange expression and asked, “But you just told me yesterday—”

“Don’t overthink things, Jacob.” Angeline looked at him with a serious expression. “What I told you yesterday was all true. I just see you as my younger brother.”

Following her statement, Jacob lowered his eyes. Although he wasn’t as agitated as yesterday, he still seemed disappointed. “Mm-hmm. I’ve always known you only see me as your brother. But I really like you, Angie, so I can’t help but preserve a little bit of hope.”

Angeline was speechless for a moment as she couldn’t bear watching others feel sad because of her.

She couldn’t help but say apologetically, “I’m really sorry, Jacob…”

“You don’t have to apologize to me, Angie. You did nothing wrong.” Jacob raised his head again, revealing that his eyes were clear. He smiled at her cheerfully and said, “I used to hate Evander.

However, after I saw him carrying you out of the ward without hesitation yesterday and treating your illness successfully when even the doctors couldn’t do it, I understood he was the one who could truly protect you.”

Hearing Jacob’s words, Angeline was stunned. If it wasn’t for his reminder, she would’ve forgotten about what Evander had done for her yesterday.

Knock! Knock!

Just then, the waiter served them their coffee.

Angeline gripped the cup with her slender fingers and stared at the creamy layer of milk before speaking hesitantly. “Actually, we’re not in a relationship yet.”

“But you like him a lot, don’t you?”

Jacob’s remark was so straightforward that it caused her heart to skip a beat. She wanted to explain herself, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words on the tip of her tongue.