The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 860

"You and I, we're not like Dorothy. The stress she's under, the worries from all sides, we can't truly grasp it. So no one's got the right to judge her," said Karen.

Jeffrey snorted. "But when it comes down to it, what did Everett do wrong?"

Mulling it over seriously, Karen concluded, "He didn't keep his mom in check."

"That's a bit biased, isn't it? His mom's actions aren't something Everett gets to call the shots on!"

"So what if I'm biased?" Karen retorted with a shrug. "She's my bestie. Am I supposed to take Everett's side? You say he's innocent, but isn't Dorothy? If it hadn't been for Everett chasing after her, dragging her into this whole mess, maybe Dorothy's life would've been a bit tough, but at least her family would've been safe, not poisoned to death! With Dorothy's looks, snagging a rich guy would've been a cakewalk. Take Kenneth, for example – he'd have said 'I do' in a heartbeat!"

Even now, if Dorothy agreed to marry him, Kenneth would lay down his entire fortune at her feet without a second thought, willing and eager.

"My friend's no slouch either! He's the CEO of Lopez Corp; he could have any woman he wanted."

"Exactly! So why's he got this secret torch for Dorothy?"

Jeffrey had no answer.

Karen huffed. "Don't try to argue this with me. I know you're tight with Everett. But in my eyes, as long as Dorothy hasn't betrayed our nation, she can do no wrong!"

...

Returning to her apartment, Dorothy was exhausted from the day's events, but sleep eluded her. Not wanting to waste time on idle thoughts, she washed her face and booted up her laptop to work.

She logged onto the Lopez Corp's software out of habit and glanced at the meeting channel.

Everett was in a meeting.