The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 242

Terrible

Zain’s POVO

Even after Vincent walked away, his laughter echoed in my ears, making my skin crawl. I watched Kaden

his palms against his ears, desperate to shut out the sound.

press

The noise clearly tortured him, and he slapped his hands over his ears, craving silence.

Once Vincent disappeared, I finally examined Kaden’s wounds properly.

His face looked like hell–bruises everywhere, fresh

cuts scattered across his skin.

At least nothing seemed fatal.

I felt my temper rising but forced it down.

I squeezed Kaden’s shoulder. “Whatever crap you took today, you suck it up. We’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

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In Oakwood, Vincent’s crew and mine kept each other locked in a stalemate. Neither side could crush the

other completely.

But unlike Vincent, I wasn’t ready to burn everything

down.

Vincent would sacrifice anything for Blanche. Everything.

Kaden’s eyes turned red as he thought to himself, ‘Never thought I’d see Zain unable to fix things.

My phone buzzed.

I pulled it out–Joanna’s name lit up the screen.

“Zain, dinner’s done. Where are you? I’ll come find you,” her voice flowed through the speaker.

I hesitated. “I’m near the restroom.”

Kaden shook his head frantically, waving his hands like crazy–begging me not to let Joanna come over.

Kaden had worshipped Joanna forever.

If she wasn’t with me, he’d move heaven and earth to

make her his.

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He knew he’d never land her, but that just made him want her more.

The second he heard Joanna say she was coming, Kaden completely lost it.

He thought to himself, ‘If Joanna sees me looking this wrecked, I’d rather die.

I had no idea how deep Kaden’s feelings ran for Joanna. Figured he was just embarrassed, so I told her, “Stay in the lobby. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay,” she said.

After hanging up, I told Kaden, “Clean yourself up, then come out with me.”

Kaden blurted out, “Come on, Zain, just go without me. Don’t worry about me. I’ll just make a fool of myself and Joanna will laugh at me.”

I looked him dead in the eye. “Joanna would never do

that.”

But Kaden wouldn’t budge. “I’ll wait until you guys leave before I come out.”

I still worried. “I’ll have Drew pick you up.”

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Kaden shook his head. “No, I’ll get back on my own.”

I saw he wouldn’t change his mind, so I let it drop.

Still, I told Kaden, “I won’t forget today. I’ll get your dignity back somehow.”

Kaden nodded, his eyes still bloodshot.

Seeing how crushed he looked, I lowered my voice. “We found Ashlee Adams. I’ll text you her location in a minute—your call if you want to see her.”

I left it at that.

Walking out of the restroom, I sent Kaden a text with Ashlee Adams’s address.

Joanna’s POV

After dinner ended, most guests had already cleared

out of the restaurant.

I waited in the lobby for Zain to appear.

Vincent lingered in the lobby too, and when I scanned the room, I spotted him immediately.

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He sat there, completely composed, his profile devastatingly handsome—sharp nose, defined jawline, like he’d stepped off a magazine cover.

Staring at someone that gorgeous, I felt my heart race, emotions rippling through my chest.

Vincent tapped on his phone, but sensing my stare, he glanced up at me.

The moment he noticed me, a cocky, almost

dangerous smirk curved his lips.

Kaden stared at the address Zain had sent, torn

between going and staying away.

‘Should I see Ashlee? Or just let it go?‘ he wondered.

Zain’s POV

I walked out of the restroom.

Joanna’s gaze snapped to me instantly.

Meanwhile, Vincent noticed Joanna’s attention shift

my way, and with that troublemaker grin, he started moving toward her.

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Joanna saw Vincent approaching.

Instead of excitement, panic flooded her face.

Vincent reached Joanna first, being closer.

Seeing Joanna ignore him completely, Vincent spoke up on purpose, “Ms. Vins, you’re all sweetness online— so why are you acting like we’re strangers in person?”

Vincent was definitely stirring up trouble, trying to mess with my head.

Joanna instinctively backed away step by step, staring up at Vincent, too terrified to defend herself.

Not that she didn’t want to—but with me standing right there, she didn’t dare say the wrong thing.

One mistake, and she’d lose everything.

From across the room, I saw Vincent harassing Joanna, clearly trying to provoke her.

I strode over with purpose, pulling Joanna behind me and positioning myself between her and Vincent.

My expression turned ice–cold as I warned him, “Mr. Aarav, I suggest you show some respect.”

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Joanna hid behind me, not daring to show her face.

Vincent chuckled at her reaction.

Then he looked at me, mocking smile in place. “Zain, your judgment is pretty terrible, you know.”

I fired back immediately, “Like yours

is is any

better.”

Vincent gave a faint, taunting smile. “Is that so?”

I didn’t answer–wasn’t about to waste breath on

Vincent.

Seeing my silence, Vincent grinned. “Just don’t regret it later.”

I shot Vincent a steel look, my voice steady and sure. “Mr. Aarav, you can relax. That day will never come.”

From where I stood, I honestly couldn’t see any reason to regret losing Blanche.

Yeah, she might be Carry’s biological mother, but Carry would choose Joanna as her mom any day.

And feelings? I never developed real feelings for Blanche anyway.

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Plus, family–wise, the Callum family would never bring anything valuable to the Jacob family.

So honestly, no matter how I looked at it, I’d never regret my choice–not for a second.

Even saying those words, I couldn’t ignore the faint bitter twist in my chest.

But I told myself it had nothing to do with actually

caring.

Just then, someone pushed open the private room door behind Joanna.

Blanche, Demetrius, and Aiden emerged together.

The moment Blanche appeared, Vincent rushed straight over, his face full of worry. “You alright?”

Blanche caught the concern in Vincent’s eyes and nodded slightly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Vincent asked again, “So, can we leave now?”

Blanche said, “Professor Reese wants to spend time

with me and Demetrius, just the three of us–so you go ahead, okay?”

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Vincent’s expression darkened. “Then I’ll come with

you.”

Professor Reese stepped forward. “I’m afraid this dinner is just for my students and me, Mr. Aarav. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to join.”

Vincent was about to argue, but stopped himself, swallowing the words.

Then it clicked–Blanche was about to become Aiden’s

student.

Not wanting to complicate things for Blanche, Vincent shifted gears, forcing a casual smile at Aiden. “Yeah, guess it really isn’t my place.”

Then he glanced at Blanche. “Fine, I’ll wait in the car.”

Blanche saw his persistence and responded coldly, “Vincent, you really don’t need to wait. I can get home myself.”

Vincent acted like he hadn’t heard her. “Just don’t take forever–I’ll be waiting in the car.”

Everyone could see Vincent practically worshipping Blanche, and honestly, we all had our own reactions.

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I frowned, thinking, ‘What the hell is his game?‘

Joanna felt an unexpected stab of jealousy, ‘Seriously, why does that bother me so much?‘

Blanche looked completely confused, ‘Why is Vincent acting this way?‘

Demetrius appeared clearly rattled, ‘Holy shit, what’s happening?‘

And Aiden just looked stunned, ‘Didn’t see that

coming…

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