Chapter 952

"If only I'd known, I would've—"

"Would've what?" Dorothy cut her off, a playful edge to her tone as she cradled the baby closer.

Karen pouted and said, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have gotten involved with Jeffrey at all! I would've

stayed single, child-free for my entire life!"

Dorothy sat by her side, held the baby, and laughed, "Look at your daughter! Can you really say that

now?"

The infant in her arms was sleeping soundly, peaceful and undisturbed. Even though she was

premature, with more wrinkles than a full-term baby and her skin so delicate and pale, her big eyes

and pronounced nose were unmistakable.

As Karen gazed at her, tears suddenly sprang to her eyes, which startled Dorothy. "What's wrong?

Are you feeling okay?"

Karen shook her head, wiping away her tears. "Dorothy... it feels like just yesterday we were

clocking in at Prosperity Consortium, and now here we are, with kids of our own. It's like I'm living in

a dream."

It seemed like only yesterday when they were navigating their careers, never imagining where life

would take them. Dorothy hadn't expected to find herself with Everett, the CEO of Lopez

Corporation, of all people. And she certainly hadn't anticipated any ties with the man who once

pined after Heather Garcia.

"How time flies," Dorothy mused, understanding Karen's hormonal-driven emotional roller coaster.

She reached out an empty hand, offering a comforting pat on Karen's shoulder. "Even if it feels like

a dream, it's a beautiful one. I have Abigail and Langston, and Everett has been by my side through

thick and thin. And you, you have Jeffrey who adores you so much. We should count our blessings."

"Yeah..." Karen sighed, then looked at Dorothy with renewed focus. "Have you... have you made

peace with it all?"

It seemed she was no longer as obsessed with the lawsuit as before.

Dorothy paused, then nodded. "Yeah, I haven't had the chance to discuss it with Everett yet. He's

been swamped, and I've been thinking that maybe it's time to drop the lawsuit."

"Really? But then—"

"Dropping the lawsuit doesn't mean I've forgiven Everett's mother. But I don't want to hold back

Everett any longer. I can't ever see eye to eye with Amanda."

Karen nodded in understanding. "I'd feel the same if I were you.”

“You do?”

“Of course! I’ve told you that I would be with you all the time, Dorothy, whether you pursue it or let it

go for Everett's sake. You've always lived for others; it's time to do something for yourself. Your

mother, bless her soul, wouldn't blame you."

Dorothy felt the weight of her own expectations more than anyone else's.

"I'll talk to Everett once he's less busy." she decided, unsure of how he would react.

But one thing was certain; he wouldn't be overjoyed. He might even feel more indebted to her.

...

Jonathan Lopez had been trying to reach Quincy with no luck, and he had a sinking feeling

something had gone awry. But he hesitated to reach out to his son for details, fearing whatever

mess Quincy had gotten into might drag him down too.

Eventually, though, he knew his son would come to him.

"Did you orchestrate Quincy's scheme?" Everett's icy voice came through the phone the moment

Jonathan answered.

Their relationship was nothing like that of a father and son anymore. The two were more like rivals

in a cutthroat business world.

"What scheme?" Jonathan retorted, his patience thinning. "I'm in the dark about whatever Quincy

did! Everett, remember this — I am your father. Aside from wanting to protect your mother this time,

when have I ever done anything to hurt you?"