Chapter 182

• I looked up, my gaze unwavering, my voice calm but firm. “Thank you for your concern, Ms. Hazel. As for whether I’m ‘worthy’ of Rafael, that’s a decision for him to make. He’s a grown man, a CEO in his own right, and he proposed to me with full clarity. I accepted. So, regardless of anyone’s opinions, I will be his fiancée.”
• Her jaw tightened, her voice rising with emotion. “He’s infatuated, that’s all! This is a passing phase. He’ll wake up from this illusion eventually. You're a woman the Warren family walked away from. He’s intrigued by your novelty, but he’ll lose interest and when he does, you’ll be the one left humiliated. I’m trying to protect you, and this is how you repay me? With defiance?”
• I didn’t flinch. My tone was resolute, my expression composed. “I wasn’t discarded by the Warrens. I filed for separation from Adrian. It was my decision, and the board signed off. If anything, it was he who was left behind. The Warren family didn’t control that outcome. But again, thank you for your concern.”