Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)

Chapter 13

Jean Collins knew this would likely be the last time she saw Mr. Snow.

As she stepped out of the hospital room, her emotions still raw, tears lingered beneath her eyelids.

To her surprise, she ran into Joy Snow and Winni Byron outside. The two were arm in arm,

seemingly unchanged, and both froze when they saw Jean.

As Jean passed by, Joy grabbed her arm. "It's really you! Why are you back? Can't let go of our family's money, huh?

You're trying to return before Grandpa breathes his last! How calculating! You think lying in bed, Grandpa can still make decisions for you?

Don't even think about it! You were the one who brought up ending the engagement!"

Seeing Jean ignore her, Joy felt humiliated and raised her hand to slap her, but Jean caught her hand

mid-air.

Staring at Joy, who had once looked down on her, Jean no longer held back. "Of course, someone invited me back."

"Invited you? Who would care about a little deaf girl like you? Besides, what does it matter? Berton

is about to marry Winni!"

Jean glanced at Winni, who stood nervously beside Joy but hadn't said a word. "Oh, then I should congratulate you. Thank you, Miss Byron, for picking up my discarded trash." "You..."

Frustrated, Joy lifted her hand again to strike Jean.

But this time, someone intervened. "Stop! I'm the one who invited her back!"

Joy turned to see Berton Snow standing there. "Berton..."

Jean immediately recognized that familiar face.

Winni quickly detached herself from Berton, trying to express her affection. "Even if Berton is trash

in

your eyes, I love him-all his flaws and merits."

Losing to My Substitute

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Chapter 13

Jean smiled faintly, "Oh."

In this farce, Berton seemed indifferent; in his eyes, he could only see Jean

Everything around them fell silent, and he could even hear his own breathing slow.

The familiar scent of cedar enveloped Jean.

1

Though she had deliberately avoided news of Berton, she had heard snippets from friends about his

successes-

how he was thriving in business, expanding into new markets, or how he and Winni were now living together, envied by others.

But none of that mattered to her anymore.

Jean had imagined her reaction upon seeing Berton again, but when the moment finally arrived, she found herself much calmer than she had expected. Yet now, she couldn't understand his actions in front of Winni.

"Jean... is it really you? You're finally back. You have no idea how hard I've looked for you."

He held her tighter, making it hard for her to breathe.