The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 258

258 Chapter 258 A Conscience Is

Clean

Blanche’s POVO

Drew had been on the verge of speaking when his eyes landed on Vincent and me. He instantly went silent.

After the crowd dispersed somewhat, Drew finally pulled his attention away from Vincent’s hand positioned at my waist.

He purposely amplified his voice, calling out to Zain, “So Zain, what’s your timeline? When are you planning to propose to Joanna?”

―

Zain clearly recognized Drew’s game – he could see right through the performance.

Before Zain had a chance to respond, Drew continued his push, “Word is you’re already scouting locations.”

Zain simply nodded, “That’s right.”

His voice stayed low, but he ensured Vincent and I could catch every word.

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Drew hadn’t anticipated Zain would verify it so readily.

His interest sparked, he continued pressing, “So what’s the plan? When’s the big question happening?”

Initially, Drew had been performing for my benefit, but genuine curiosity had taken over.

Those final questions though? Pure nosiness.

Zain gave a head shake. “Haven’t settled on anything yet.”

Drew realized Zain was being straight with him and eagerly offered, “Want me to help plan the proposal?”

Zain managed a slight smile and brushed him off, “Appreciate it, but I’ve got this covered.”

Drew felt the rejection sting, yet he maintained his act of genuine surprise and joy.

He declared, “Zain, you really pamper Joanna. I’ve never witnessed you make this kind of effort for anyone.”

Zain remained silent, offering no response.

Vincent and I stood close enough to absorb every

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word exchanged.

When Zain finally went quiet, Vincent muttered under his breath, “Shameless people really are unstoppable.”

Drew, quick to anger, whipped around and glared at Vincent, demanding, “Vincent, who exactly are you referring to?”

Vincent just smirked, completely unbothered. “Figure it out yourself – whoever’s having a meltdown, that’s your answer.”

Drew, enraged, pushed up his sleeves and charged forward, ready to swing.

Vincent didn’t retreat an inch. He advanced, meeting Drew head–on.

Standing face–to–face, Vincent twisted his lips into a sneer, “Lapdog.”

Drew’s expression darkened, that threatening gleam appearing. He lowered his tone, “Looking for trouble?”

With that, Drew prepared to strike first.

Vincent stretched his shoulders and flexed his fingers, signaling his readiness for a fight.

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Violence seemed inevitable when I moved forward, catching Vincent’s arm. I said, “Vincent, drop it. Just because a dog snaps at us doesn’t mean we need to snap back, right?”

Vincent paused when he heard me speak. Then he shifted to meet my gaze.

I gave him a determined nod. “Come on, let’s leave.”

Vincent obviously didn’t want me getting mistreated, but he also understood that if this escalated,

regardless of his strength, with Zain backing the other side, neither of us would emerge victorious.

Drew was primed for battle, but I ended up being the one to intervene and defuse things.

Drew, clearly irritated, sneered at me, “You’re still so pathetic!”

When Vincent caught that, his expression went ice–cold, ready to explode, but I positioned myself in front of him first.

I dropped my voice and confronted Drew, “And you? Are you any different? I once considered you a friend

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I memorized everything you enjoyed eating and drinking. Then you turn around and treat me this way. Is that what real friends do?”

Drew found himself speechless. He stuttered, “You…”

I faced Drew’s fury directly. I called him out loudly, “I can honestly say, everything I did for you, my conscience is clean. But you? Can you claim the

same?”

I used to handle every detail for him.

But back then, Drew always understood I was just getting close to him for Zain–related information.

–

So he never valued my kindness – he always dismissed it as sucking up.

Even so, regardless of my reasons, the reality is I genuinely treated Drew well during that time.

Drew stood there speechless, staring. He glanced at Zain and burst out, “Zain, aren’t you going to intervene?”

Before Zain could even speak, I snapped, “What’s he supposed to do? He’s just as rotten as you – you’re all

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terrible people.”

Drew was practically fuming, eyes burning as he snarled at me, “You-”

But before he could continue, Zain pulled him back and intervened, “Joanna’s expecting us. Really, it’s not worth getting worked up. Let’s go.”

Drew appeared ready to fire back something, but after reconsidering, he stayed quiet.

Still, as they departed, he couldn’t resist shooting me several venomous looks.

Vincent, infuriated by Drew’s glare, spat, “Keep staring like that and I’ll rip your eyes out, lapdog.”

Drew didn’t bother replying, just scoffed loudly.

Vincent started pursuing him, but I quickly seized his arm, saying, “Vincent, forget it. He’s not worth your energy.”

Hearing that, Vincent reluctantly stood down.

Once Vincent had finally cooled off, I exhaled and said, “Come on, let’s just leave.”

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Vincent simply nodded. “Yeah.”

Zain’s POV

Meanwhile, as Drew and I approached Joanna, we found her standing there with tears of joy flowing down her face.

Whatever gloom had been consuming Drew disappeared instantly upon seeing her.

All that remained on his expression was a brilliant smile and clear devotion.

As we drew near, Drew noticed Joanna’s tears and couldn’t resist joking, “Already emotional? Wait until Zain proposes – you’ll be sobbing!”

—

Joanna turned toward him, pretending to be offended. “Really? You’re going to mock me like that?”

She reached out to hit him, grinning.

Drew ducked, so Joanna stomped her foot and began her countdown, “Three… two…”

Before Joanna could reach ‘one, Drew surrendered

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with a resigned smile and said, “Joanna, come on, I wasn’t mocking you! I just think you’re gorgeous

–

regardless tears included.”

Hearing that, Joanna appeared completely pleased – she even felt somewhat triumphant inside. She extended her hand with a playful smile and gave

Drew’s cheek a solid pinch, teasing, “You just can’t quit with that mouth, can you?”

1

The pinch actually hurt, but Drew remained silent – if anything, he found the whole interaction strangely soothing.

The area where Joanna pinched him turned a gentle pink, and warmth quickly colored his cheeks.

I observed Joanna and Drew’s playful interaction, feeling completely unaffected. Not even a hint of jealousy or any other emotion – just calmly watching.

Once they finally calmed down, I asked Joanna, “Did you record everything?”

Joanna faced me, nodding with a pleased smile. “Yes, completely. It was really touching.”

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We had simply been passing by when we witnessed someone proposing, and Joanna had suggested we stop to watch and celebrate.

When she saw how moving the scene was, she had been the one to suggest filming the entire moment.

Just then, Nicholas walked over.

+105

He appeared to have just purchased something – he was tucking it into his jeans pocket as he approached.

Seeing how delicately Nicholas was handling whatever he’d just bought, Drew couldn’t help teasing, “Nicholas, what’s with all the secrecy? Got someone you’re trying to win over?”

As soon as he said that, Joanna instinctively looked

over.

In that moment, her cheeks colored slightly.

After so many years beside me, Joanna already

–

understood Drew had feelings for her – and regarding Nicholas, she suspected he might as well.