Chapter 798

"Joanna, did you ever love me?"

Preston Valentine's voice held a barely perceptible tremor.

Joanna Sterling was momentarily taken aback.

She hadn't expected Preston to ask such a question at this tense, confrontational moment.

She suddenly remembered that night at the Vance family banquet, when Aaron Truman had asked Cecilia Evans a similar question.

Is this the question men are obsessed with until their dying breath?

A bitter smile touched the corner of Joanna's lips.

"Our meeting, from beginning to end, was my scheme. I have no defense for that." She paused, her voice calm. "As for love... I don't want to lie to you."

She didn't finish.

But everyone present understood her meaning.

—I don't want to lie to you, so I don't love you.

If there was love, there would be no need for deception.

Preston indeed gave a bitter laugh.

"You don't even love me, so why make me choose?"

He turned to look at Evelyn Ross beside him.

"And also, the Sterling Family motto: siblings shall not harm or betray each other. How many times have we repeated that? Why do you women from the Sterling Family never seem to listen?"

He walked over to Evelyn, his voice steady and firm.

"Joanna, even if I loved you to the marrow of my bones, I would not betray my family for you."

"The Sterling Family raised me. The Sterling Family gave me my foundation. What you came to seek today, what you wanted to win over, was the Sterling Family. And to me, the Sterling Family isn't a company, isn't wealth. It's every single person here."

"I will never betray anyone in this family."

Every word he spoke was resolute.

Yet that bitter smile still lingered on his lips.

Joanna nodded.

"I understand."

Her face showed no expression.

After speaking, she looked at Evelyn.

"Do you plan to arrest me today? Or kill me? How do you intend to deal with me?"

She raised her hands.

"Let me be clear first. My combat skills are average. I was searched before entering. I have no weapons on me. If you want to kill me now, I can't resist."

After saying this, her entire body relaxed instead.

As if she had shed her heaviest disguise.

Her back straightened, no longer carrying that cautious, careful posture from before.

Evelyn looked at her composed demeanor, then turned to Preston.

"Fifth Brother, what do you say?"

Preston gazed at Joanna.

"Can... we let her go?"

Evelyn was startled.

"Why?"

Preston smiled.

His smile held an indescribable sorrow.

"We were together for so long after all. To say I have no feelings for her would be a lie... How could I have no feelings?"

He lowered his head.

When he looked up again, his eyes were already red.

He turned his face towards the window, trying hard to force back his tears.

"I slept with her several times too. She's a woman, she was always at a disadvantage. The dowry I prepared... it's useless now, and it can't make up for anything..."

He raised a hand to wipe the corner of his eye.

"Just let her go. Consider it... drawing a final period on this relationship of mine."

"Little Sister, is that okay?"

Is it okay?

Knowing full well that letting the tiger return to the mountain would bring endless future trouble.

But what Preston said earlier was right.

The Sterling Family isn't a company, isn't wealth. It's the people here.

Preston could give up Joanna for her without hesitation.

So why couldn't she, for his sake, leave no regrets?

Evelyn smiled.

"It's okay."

She looked at Joanna.

"You can go."

Joanna clearly hadn't expected this outcome.

She was stunned for a moment, hesitating. "Are you sure? My influence in Aldoria is not small. Letting me go, I will become a serious threat to you."

Evelyn nodded.

"I'm sure."

Beside her, Natalie Castillo took a forceful bite of the apple in her hand, making a crisp sound.

Expressing her dissatisfaction.

How could they let her go?

How could they!

Evelyn glanced at her.

Natalie immediately became obedient.

She looked down at the apple, then up at the ceiling, pretending to be very busy.

Joanna looked at Evelyn, then at Natalie.

"Fox, you agree too?"

Natalie didn't speak.

Joanna was silent for a moment, then turned and walked towards the exit.

Her steps were resolute.

To leave the Ashcroft residence, she had to pass by Evelyn's side.

As she walked over, she passed by Preston.

Preston's eyes never left her.

Not blinking.

But Joanna's gaze was evasive. She turned her head away, not daring to meet his eyes.

It was only a few steps.

Yet it felt like walking through an eternity.

This moment seemed about to freeze into permanence.

But in the end, Joanna still walked past Preston.

Without stopping.

Just as she reached the doorway, about to step out—

A voice suddenly rang out.

"Wait."