Chapter 345

Chapter 345:

Susan stared at Esteban, her voice laced with defiance. “Everything I have, I earned through my own blood, sweat, and tears! You have nothing to do with it!”

Esteban’s face drained of color, his hand clutching his chest as if the weight of her words might crush him. He staggered slightly, looking as though he might collapse from the sheer force of his anger.

For a fleeting moment, Susan felt a twinge of concern at seeing him so frail and vulnerable. But she quickly hardened her resolve, recalling the bitter words he had once hurled at her. The bridge between them had already burned to ash; there was no sense in looking back. Without a second glance, she walked away, her heart heavy but her steps resolute.

Esteban remained rooted to the spot, his hand still pressed to his chest as time seemed to stretch on. He didn’t move until he felt a gentle hand on his arm. “Mr. Riggs,” Josie asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Esteban inhaled deeply, regaining his composure. “Nothing,” he said, though his tone carried the weight of unspoken thoughts.

Josie guided him back to the private room, her movements careful, and poured him a cup of water. “Mr. Riggs, are you sure you’re alright? Should I call a doctor?”

“I’ll be fine in a moment,” Esteban replied, his tone even, though the authority in his gaze remained unyielding. Standing before Esteban, Josie couldn’t ignore the sheer weight of his presence. The Riggs family, a pillar of Ansport’s elite, was worlds away from her own humble origins. Esteban’s aura was overwhelming, far more intimidating than anything she had ever experienced with her father.

A flicker of envy sparked within her—a sharp, undeniable longing. Why hadn’t she been born into a family like the Riggs? If she were a Riggs, Dane would never dare to dismiss her. If she carried the Riggs name, Dane might even propose to her immediately.

“Mr. Riggs, here’s our proposal. Please take a look,” Josie said, her tone respectful as she handed Esteban the meticulously crafted project plan.

Josie’s visit to Ansport wasn’t just for Dane; she also wanted to discuss cooperation with Esteban. She understood the growing importance of fragrance in today’s market, especially in skincare products. The right scent could decide a product’s success, and the Riggs Group’s mastery in fragrance development made them an ideal ally. Securing this partnership would be a monumental achievement.

Esteban took the proposal and examined it, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke. “I’ll review it and let you know my decision.”

A wave of relief washed over Josie, but she kept her expression composed. “Thank you, Mr. Riggs,” she replied smoothly.

“Shall we move on to dinner?” she suggested.

Esteban barely touched his meal before deciding it was time to leave. Josie, hiding her frustration, dutifully escorted him to his car. But as she made her way back to her own vehicle, she caught sight of Susan and Madisyn nearby.

Her mood darkened instantly. “Well, look who it is,” Josie sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. “Susan, what are you doing here? Working as a waitress?”

Josie crossed her arms, her gaze cold as she closed the distance between herself and Susan. She had never taken Susan seriously, yet now Susan had caught Dane’s attention? The thought was laughable. How could Susan not see how unworthy she was?

Madisyn barely glanced at Josie, her expression one of utter indifference. With a calm tug on Susan’s arm, she said, “Come on, Susan. No need to waste time listening to a barking dog.”

Susan couldn’t hold back her laughter. Madisyn’s words were so effortlessly cutting yet delivered with such charm.

Josie stood there, stunned for a moment as the realization of the insult hit her. Her face flushed with anger. “Madisyn, how dare you insult me! Ha! Andrew’s already moved on. You’ve been tossed aside. Maybe you should think about why you could not measure up to Courtney!”

Josie’s words dripped with venom. She knew Courtney quite well. Back when Kristine was still around, the three of them often hung out together; Kristine’s warmth and friendliness made her the glue of their group.

When she heard Courtney was pregnant with Andrew’s child, Josie was secretly thrilled. She thought this would be Madisyn’s downfall. Yet, to her growing frustration, Madisyn remained unfazed, her calm demeanor unshaken.

“It looks like just like Courtney,” Josie taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “She enjoys the role of the side chick and having an illegitimate child. Is that your thing too?”

“I’m nothing like her!” Susan snapped back instinctively, but then felt something was off with her reply. “Don’t forget that Madisyn and Andrew aren’t even married. The real side chick is the one who isn’t loved. The fact that Andrew has a baby with Courtney shows how much they mean to each other!”

Susan’s eyes blazed with defiance as she looked at Josie.

“Please, I’m leagues ahead of you!” Josie spat, her voice dripping with disdain. “Do you really think someone like you could ever be accepted by the Johns family? You should know your place.”

“I don’t deserve him, Josie. Then what makes you think you do?” Susan’s eyes narrowed.

“Please, I’m leagues ahead of you!” Josie spat, her voice dripping with disdain. “Do you really think someone like you could ever be accepted by the Johns family? You should know your place.”

Madisyn, unruffled, interjected with a calm smile. “Hate to break it to you, Josie, but my mother thinks the world of Susan.”

Josie’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had overlooked just how close Madisyn and Susan were. With Madisyn’s backing, Susan had far more influence than Josie had anticipated. Jealousy surged through Josie like wildfire. The thought that Susan, who once worked as a mere sales clerk in one of her company’s stores, was now a serious contender for Dane’s affections was intolerable.

Trying to regain control, Josie narrowed her eyes and spoke with forced composure. “Madisyn, have you even considered what’s best for Dane? The world he’s in isn’t easy. As his sister, you should be helping him find a partner who can truly stand by his side, not pushing your friend onto him for your own reasons. Susan won’t be able to handle the pressures that come with Dane’s world. In the end, she’ll only make him more vulnerable.”

Josie’s voice was measured, as if trying to appeal to Madisyn’s sense of family.

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