Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 79

Chapter 9

"Stop pretending! Is this all you've got? Acting coy, charming Grandpa around, feigning deep feelings to keep Berton unable to let go of you.

It won't work on me! And leaving? Are you really willing to give up that wealth of ours?"

Jean Collins couldn't be bothered to explain. As she stepped out of the Snow family residence, she felt an overwhelming sense of lightness.

Listen to the wind rustling through the leaves-that was the sound of freedom.

Only Joy Snow remained frozen in shock, stunned.

Really, she just left like that?

To Joy, Jean was loathsome-a deaf girl who dared to think she could enter their family.

Yet, despite all the schemes Joy had used over the years to attack Jean's body and undermine her self-esteem, Jean had never wavered. After all, her heart for Berton was clear. She really just left like that!

At the airport, after finishing a call with Grandpa Snow, Jean refused to answer any more calls. This

was her final act.

From now on, they were worlds apart, never to meet again.

The boarding announcement echoed through the waiting area.

Faced with Berton's incessant calls, Jean didn't hesitate. She tossed her SIM card into the trash, severing all ties with the city and hurriedly boarded her flight.

Two hours later, Berton had the day off and had just enough time to go pick up Jean.

Strangely, whenever there were issues between him and Jean, Grandpa would always come to scold him. But this time, after such a huge uproar, there was no reaction from Grandpa at all. Lost in thought, he received the engagement dissolution agreement from Joy.

He stared blankly for a moment before tossing it to the ground, confidently declaring, "No way! Look at this villa-how much of her stuff is still here, untouched!"

Losing to My Substitute

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Chapter 9

He even stood up to open the drawer of the vanity: "See? She hasn't taken any of these jewelry pieces."

But Joy shook his arm. "Really, Berton, that deaf girl, I don't know when, but she's actually better

now."

Berton anxiously grasped his sister's wrist. "How do you know? When did this happen? Didn't they say the surgery was extremely risky?"

Joy, whose wrist was hurting from his grip, replied impatiently, "How would I know when she got

better? I don't care about her!"

At that moment, she picked up the agreement from the floor and flipped it open. On the last page

was Jean's signature.

Berton punched the glass mirror on the vanity, shattering it into pieces.

His expression darkened, leaving Joy speechless.

The housekeeper rushed over, startled by the noise. She saw the broken mirror shards embedded in Berton's hand, blood dripping down his fingers and pooling on the floor. "Berton, what's wrong? Isn't this good news? You can dissolve the engagement without lifting a finger. Now you can finally be with Winni!"

Berton couldn't hear what Joy was saying; his mind was buzzing.

She really left? How could that be!

He finally remembered to call her, but all he got was a mechanical voice.

"Berton, didn't you promise Winni you'd go to the art exhibition? You're already late, and all her calls are coming to me."

After a moment, he snapped back to reality, tiredly pinching his temples. Rarely did he lose his temper with his sister, but he shouted, "Get lost!"

Joy, who had always been spoiled, had never seen him this way. She opened her mouth but then closed it, leaving in a huff.

Recalling his promise to Winni, he decided to go after all.

However, throughout the journey, Berton's thoughts were restless, consumed by Jean.

Losing to My Substitute

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Chapter 9

Her hearing was restored-when did that happen?

Didn't they say the surgery was very risky? They wouldn't let her undergo it, right?

Looking back over the past few months, he had sensed something was off.

The ginger tea that used to be steaming on the bedside table was gone, she had been left injured at the banquet, and she no longer complied with his every request. Unfortunately, he hadn't thought deeply about it, assuming Jean was just throwing a minor tantrum and that she would get over it in time.