Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle

"Mr. Maddox, please don't create too much tension with Joyer because of me... A timid voice drifted into Joyce's ears, marking her first time resiguing herself to fate.

Ethan's righteous façade and Kelly's coercive tactics, when stripped down, amounted to one thing. They considered Joyce's sacrifice worth it for Lily's peace of mind. In their eyes, Lily held far more importance than she ever could.

Just as Jover was about to end the call, a warm hand reached over and took her phone. "Mr. Maddox, I once thought of you as a respectable elder. But now, it's clear I was completely mistaken. A man willing to sacrifice his own daughter isn't worthy of my respect" Thea's voice was sharp and icy. Ethan had lived for decades as the revered head of Aurelia University, accustomed to admiration. A junior, daring to point her finger at and scold me he thought.

Ethan's face grew colder, yet

but let me make one thin hea continued undeterred. "I have no interest in whatever charms Mrs. Maddox's used on you.

but let me make one thing clear. Joyce has me as her final support, and if she says she won't marry, no one will force her

The call ended abruptly, and Joyce nearly lunged forward, ready to embrace Thea in a tight hug.

Remembering Thea's recent injuries, she restrained herself, brushing lightly against Thea's collar. Thea, you're wonderful, Why couldn't my mom be you?"

Thea, momentarily speechless, replied, "I couldn't possibly have a daughter as grown-up as you. Joyce, Ive always told you that you have the right to choose your own path. My ambition to build Sparkle Rocks into a powerhouse isn't just about feffilling my grandfather's wishes. It's about creating the capital to protect myself and those I care about."

Though Sparkle Rocks hadn't yet amassed the strength it needed. Thea was certain that day would soon come.

Her words turned Joyce's sorrow into a smile, though some worry lingered in her eyes. "Corey's sudden push for an alliance with the Maddox family feels wrong, no matter how I think about it. Lily's status is beneath the Xander family's notice. The only logical explanation is that it's really aimed at me."

Joyce's intuition was spot on. But other than the time the Rowland family intervened, she hadn't even met Gorey. Why would that dangerous man set his sights on me?' she wondered.

Joyce didn't understand, but Thea knew well enough. Corey's true target was Thea. Amelia was backed by April. From the beginning, these cousins had likely never intended to let Thea be

ve

"April, who gave you the nerve to use my name as a front?" Corey's message chimed in.

Corey had never expected that April, someone he viewed as his subordinate, would dare to act without his permission, event deciding on something as significant as his marriage. "Do you know how many eyes from the Xander family are on me right now? You didn't even consult me before making such a huge decision. Do you have any idea how much effort I have to put into damage control?"

Corey's fury was volcanic, but April showed no fear.

In fact, her lips curled into a sly smile as she pressed herself against him, as fluid as a water snake. "You agreed to marry Thea, so why not marry Joyce? My father's intention was simply for you to use the marriage as a chance to legitimize your business. It doesn't matter who the bride is. Isn't the Maddox family, with their academic heritage, better than the Rowland family, those mere merchants?"

April's tone was rational. "Or, is marrying Thea your personal desire?" Her fingers glided up to the large snake tattoo on Corey's neck, her manicured nail tracing over its vivid red eyes. Chapter 271

Only April dared to taunt Gorey this boldly. It wasn't just their lifelong bond. It was also her father's influence.

April's father was the founding figure of the Viper, the very man who had raised Corey from childhood. For Noah's sake alone, Corey had always indulged April's whims "April, that's enough"

He gripped her slender wrist, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Who's been cleaning up your mess with Thea If Nicolas actually traces your trail back to you, not even Mr. Sandy could protect you. Nicolas is far deadlier than you think

Corey's voice was lighthearted, but it carried a chilling undertone April wasn't afraid. She even pressed herself closer to Corey. "So what am I supposed to do?

Tm destined to clash with Nicolas, especially since I genuinely want Thea dead. From the moment I first laid eyes on her. I hated her. Corry, didn't you say that anyone I hate deserves to die? Or is Thea an exception for you?"

Corey didn't respond, and that silence only deepened the frost in April's gaze. She couldn't bear the thought of Corey having feelings for anyone else.

"Corey is born to be mine alone, she wondered. These two lunaties leaned into each other, a shared, unreadable intensity in their eyes.

You'd better stay away from her." Corey's words seemed casual, but his large hand reflexively tightened around April's slender neck

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April remained unfazed. "Corey, are you really thinking of killing me over a woman? You won't do it. You don't even have the nerve." And as it turned out, April had bet correctly.

When night fell, the standoff between them persisted. Meanwhile, over at the modest apartment Thea and Joyce shared, an unexpected visit was unfolding.

A sudden, frantic pounding at the door interrupted their meal of roast chicken, sounding more like an attempt to break it down than a knock. Fortunately, Thea had anticipated the need for extra security and installed a sturdy anti-theft lock at the door, made from solid stone material.

"Who's..." Joyce started to ask, but Thea quickly pressed a hand over her mouth.

Living abroad for years, Thea had developed a heightened sense of caution in dangerous situations. And now, that instinct kicked in. The last thing they should do was respond.

Moving silently, Thea gripped the baseball bat they kept by the door and peered through the peephole, only to lock eyes with a sinister pair of squinting eyes. "Hello there, Miss Rowland the man on the other side sneered.

Thea took a step back, chilled not by his tone or his stare but by the vivid tattoo of a snake coiling around his neck. They were Corey's men. Thea took another step back.

"Miss Rowland, that door of yours isn't going to hold out for long. My boss only wants to have a word with you. No need to be so on guard," the man warned.

Something's off. If Corey wanted to see me, he could have just called. These guys. They're April's Thea realized.

"Joyce, call the police, Thea urged, shoving heavy items like the shoe cabinet against the door to reinforce it

Joyce, though clearly scared, was oddly excited as well. "The cops? Could they even make it here faster than these guys? Thea, maybe we should open the door. I am a black belt in taekwondo."

She bounced lightly, trying out a few quick fighting moves, ready for action.

But Thea shook her head. A black belt in taekwondo wouldn't stand a chance against their weapons. These people weren't afraid of the police, nor did they hide their intentions. When they wanted someone dead, they came afmed, openly and unashamed. GM

"Miss Rowland, struggling is aseless," the man taunted, his voice ripping with mockery. "If I were you, I'd move aside and come along quietly. The more you resist, the more painful it's going to be."