Chapter 457:

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Evelyn paused, her gaze pressing coldly into Joslyn. “Then the Newman family will have no choice but to choose another head. One who knows better than to go against me. Joslyn, can you truly bear to watch Connor lose everything because of you? His life’s work, the support of his family, the very foundation he stands on. Can you watch all of it disappear? You say you love him. Is this your idea of love? Pulling him into the mud with you until everyone abandons him and his career is left in ruins?”

Evelyn’s words echoed in Joslyn’s mind again and again, circling like a curse that refused to fade.

Joslyn could withstand any insult thrown at her, any slander aimed in her direction. But the moment Evelyn turned those words toward Connor’s future, the backbone she had forced herself to keep straight finally began to bend.

Evelyn was right.

𝗡o𝘷e𝗹ѕ 𝗂𝗻 𝘁𝘳𝗲ո𝘥 о𝗻 𝘨a𝗅n𝗼vе𝘭𝗌.co𝗺

Everything Connor had today had been earned through years of relentless effort. It was also the foundation of his place within the Newman family.

If her existence truly weakened that foundation, or even cost him his position altogether, what would happen to Connor?

That proud, powerful man who always seemed capable of handling everything with ease. If he lost it all because of her, would he suffer? Would resentment take root in him? Would he one day grow to hate her?

Even if he never did, how could Joslyn continue living with herself after watching him fall from such a height?

The composure she had fought so hard to maintain finally shattered.

A wave of cold dread swept through Joslyn, leaving only a hollow confusion in its wake.

She had never feared facing storms on her own. What truly terrified her was the possibility of becoming Connor’s burden, of being the person who destroyed everything he valued most.

Seeing the fight slowly drain from Joslyn’s eyes, Evelyn felt a grim satisfaction rise within her.

At last, she had found the girl’s true weakness.

It was not money. It was not power. It was not even her reputation.

It was Connor.

For one brief moment, that realization unsettled Evelyn.

Young people always placed too much value on love.

“Think it over carefully.” Evelyn rose at a measured pace, her figure casting a silent pressure over Joslyn. “You may continue being stubborn and pull him down with you, or you may do the sensible thing. Leave him of your own accord. Give Connor his freedom, and give the Newman family its peace. I will give you time to think. However, Joslyn, my patience is not endless.”

After leaving those words behind, Evelyn turned toward the entryway. Her steps were slow and steady, each one carrying the same oppressive weight as her warning.

At the door, she paused with her hand on the handle and looked back. “One more thing. If you truly love Connor, do not let him know about this conversation. Telling him will only burden him with pain and guilt. It will not change the outcome. If you love him, leave quietly. Leave because you chose to, without forcing him to witness the struggle. Only then will he be able to move on without blaming himself.”

With that, Evelyn walked out.

Cold air rushed in from the corridor, sweeping across the room for an instant before the door closed again with a soft click.

Joslyn stayed seated on the sofa, motionless.

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