Chapter 279
The Broken Mask
“It’s me.”
“Connor?”
Rebecca’s voice was soft, tinged with surprise and delight.
*8 Pearls
“Do you know? I’m out. I missed you so much. No wonder I couldn’t reach you–so you changed your number. Where are you? Why haven’t you come for me? I went back to the Joyner house, but it’s empty now.”
Connor’s mouth opened, his voice rough, hesitant.
“I… I’m in Jandale, on business.”
No one spoke. Not a soul.
Even the scrolling flood of comments in the livestream seemed to freeze.
Rebecca’s voice came again. “When are you coming back? You told me before, you—”
“Rebecca!”
Connor’s voice shot up, sharp with panic, cutting her off.
Everyone jerked at the sudden outburst, eyes snapping toward him.
He realized too late how desperate he sounded, quickly softening his tone.
“You just got out. Find somewhere safe to rest. I’ll be back soon.”
Rebecca’s voice dropped, sorrow edging her words.
“You’re not abandoning me, are you? The Joyners fell, and now you won’t admit what we had?”
Connor scrambled. “Of course not! You’ll always be my sister. I told you that!”
Her laugh, bitter and brittle, crackled through the speaker.
“Sister? That’s not what you used to say.”
Sweat rolled down Connor’s temples.
“Rebecca, we were just like siblings. The things I said before were only to comfort know I love your sister Scarlett. She’s the one.”
you.
You
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Chapter 279 The Broken Mask
48 Beans
Rebecca broke down in tears. “Then why did Scarlett call you during the fire, begging for help. and you told her to stop making trouble? Was that your code for breaking up? No wonder she dumped you, even burned and scarred, she still had pride. She knew you’d mock her,
so she
ended it first.”
Her sobbing turned to a jagged whisper. “So do I need to say it first now? Should I tell you it’s over? I can’t believe you’d treat me this way, now that the Joyners have fallen. All those words you whispered to me were lies. I was wrong to ever hope. I’m done. I wish you and Scarlett a happy life together–forever.”
The line clicked dead.
Viewers nearly choked.
Just when the drama peaked–cut off.
Scarlett slipped her phone back into her pocket, lips curling in a cold smile.
“So. Can you explain your relationship now?”
Connor’s face was chalk–white. He hadn’t dared argue with Rebecca, afraid she’d spill something unforgivable. Even her few words had been enough to strip him bare.
“Scarlett…” He dropped to his knees again.
“You know our engagement was arranged by the Joyners. Rebecca was jealous, naturally. I had
to calm her down. Otherwise, wouldn’t she have caused trouble for you instead?”
His excuse fell flat.
The livestream audience turned savage.
“Classic cheater’s line.”
“Cheating? For your sake, baby.”
“Of course I love you–doesn’t mean I can’t love someone else, too.”
“I called him devoted earlier. I want to punch myself.”
“Who the hell is Connor, really? I’m digging into him.”
Scarlett’s smile sharpened.
“If groveling could undo everything, there’d be no one left standing in Jandale.”
She stepped closer, her gaze a blade.
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Chapter 279 The Broken Mask
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“Connor, I broke off the engagement. We owe each other nothing. I didn’t want to drag this into the open. But you wouldn’t let go. So now-
Her voice cut cold.
“-all the patents you tried to bury in your company under my name have been transferred out.”
Connor’s pupils shrank.
That was why he clung to her, why he begged. Not love–fear. Fear that she would reclaim what was hers.
And now, it was already gone.