Chapter 791: We Strive for Happiness

Noting her sheer panic, Preston Vance offered a faint smile. "Ann, you’re a smart girl. You must know what I’m trying to say."

Annie York’s palms were slick with sweat. A wild guess had already formed in her mind, but she didn’t dare say it out loud. She hardly even dared to entertain the thought.

Preston spoke again, breaking the silence. "I like Chloe, and you like Walker. Why don’t we pool our efforts and work toward our own happiness? What do you say?"

"No!" Annie refused immediately. Face pale, she looked at Preston and said, "I do like Mr. Grant, but Chloe has been nothing but kind to me. I can’t do anything that would betray her."

By the time she finished speaking, her eyes were red with unshed tears.

"You’ve got it all wrong." Preston wasn’t angered by her rejection. Instead, he explained with the utmost patience, "Since you’re such good friends with Chloe, you should be considering her needs. She’s been wanting a divorce for a long time. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?"

Annie bit her lower lip and gave a stiff nod.

Preston continued in a gentle tone. "The only reason their divorce hasn’t gone through is because Walker refuses to sign the papers. Combine that with his recent accident, and Chloe is far too guilt-ridden to bring up the topic now. Deep down, however, she still wants to leave him."

Annie gripped her bag tightly. His words left her ears ringing, her heart a tangled mess of conflicting emotions.

Preston coaxed her, his voice a steady hum of persuasion. "I will do everything in my power to help Walker’s eyes heal quickly. That way, Chloe’s conscience will be clear, and the divorce can proceed without a hitch. All you need to do is show up at the right time and create an irreversible situation. Once that happens, there will be no turning back for them.

"Ann, once they are out of options, the doors open for both of us. Do you understand?" He smiled as he held her gaze.

Annie remained silent. Her mind was racing, her heart in turmoil as images of Walker and Chloe flashed continuously through her thoughts.

Walker had always been incredibly cold to her. Because he was married, it was only natural for him to maintain a strict distance from other women.

Ironically, this exact trait made her admire him even more. It fueled her infatuation.

And what about Chloe?

Chloe had helped her on multiple occasions and even went out of her way to get her a job. She was a genuinely wonderful person.

Annie found herself caught in a torturous dilemma.

Catching her conflicted, anguished expression, Preston let out a soft sigh. "Ann, you only feel guilty because you think you’re stepping between them. But there’s no love left in their marriage. How can it be called homewrecking? At most, you’d just be giving them the final push they need to get divorced."

Annie shut her eyes tightly before finally speaking. "Mr. Vance, what if... what if Chloe still has feelings for Mr. Grant? What if they only want a divorce because of a misunderstanding? Maybe the divorce is just their way of temporarily setting the past aside?"

"If we swoop in and take advantage of their vulnerability right now, wouldn’t that make us despicable?" she thought.

She absolutely did not want to become that kind of person.

Preston countered, "If they truly still loved each other, it never would have escalated to divorce in the first place. They would overcome all obstacles, trust each other, and love each other deeply."

Annie froze in a daze. "Is that really true?" she wondered.

Preston looked at her, the gaze behind his glasses exceptionally earnest. "Ann, everything I’ve said today stands. You don’t have to give me an answer right away. Take your time to think it over. You can let me know once you’ve made your decision."