Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 160: Clarification

Shawn Sinclair leaned back against the sofa, speaking calmly.

"The reason she could decisively break up with Cole Kane and flash-marry you is because she’s got a stubborn, competitive streak deep down."

"If Cole Kane hadn’t spent all those years wearing her down, PUA’ing her, right when her parents passed away and she was emotionally vulnerable and desperate for affection, they never would have stayed together for so long."

Seth Lawson’s brow furrowed. "Cole Kane is a real piece of work. You’re right. Otherwise, with Nina’s old personality, there’s no way she would’ve stayed with him for so many years and put up with so much crap."

"Speaking of which, what did Nina ever see in him? I wonder if there’s more to the story, something we don’t know."

Shawn Sinclair shrugged, indicating he didn’t know.

Justin Kane’s thick brows drew together. He drained his glass and let out a sneer. "Maybe Cole Kane saved her life."

’That would explain her undying devotion.’

Seth Lawson scoffed. "You’re the one who actually saved her life."

"And you saved her again today, but she’s clearly not grateful. Kane, I think this time she’s serious about leaving you. Even playing the ’I saved your life’ card won’t work."

Seth teased him for a bit. ’Come to think of it, being her savior never did him any good, not from the start.’

’He was even afraid of Nina finding out he’d saved her back then.’

’What was it he’d said again?’

’That Nina hated people who held favors over others’ heads. That she’d even said she hated *him*.’

’And yet, five years later, they’d somehow ended up together. Unbelievable.’

’If Cole Kane hadn’t been such a total bastard, Nina probably never would’ve gotten with Justin at all, right?’

The three of them fell silent, none of them speaking.

Justin Kane leaned back, resting his head against the sofa with his eyes closed as the dazzling lights flashed across his face.

His hand tightened around the bottle, and his eyelashes trembled.

The next day, Nina Thorne received an update.

Sure enough, the man who had caused the disturbance wasn’t a real worker. He had blended in with the others to deliberately incite conflict.

Nina Thorne grew suspicious. ’So, who put him up to it?’

The man refused to confess.

With no other options, the police detained him and asked Nina what she wanted to do.

Naturally, Nina wasn’t about to let him off the hook. She told the police to press charges.

After that, she headed to the conference.

This was a major conference, attended by top engineers from both home and abroad.

Entry was strictly by invitation only, extended by the organizers to the most distinguished engineers in the field.

Nina didn’t have a personal invitation, but she gained entry using her company’s credentials.

On the way over, she wondered who had hired the man from the construction site.

’Aside from The Thorne Group’s rivals, the person who most wanted to see her fail was Leighton Thorne.’

The incident had clearly drawn a lot of attention.

Even Albert Locke was particularly concerned.

The moment he saw her enter the hall, he hurried over. "Are you all right? What happened yesterday looked terrifying."

Nina gave a small smile. "You underestimate me. I don’t go down that easily."

She was dressed professionally today in a sharp white blazer paired with a black over-the-knee skirt.

She exuded an aura of calm composure, looking both sharp and radiantly elegant.

Compared to her former self, she was like a completely different person.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was completely transformed.

Albert Locke was pleased to see it, but he still sighed. "Mercury’s been in retrograde for you lately. Be careful. A lot of people showed up today."

Nina scanned the hall, her lips twisting into a knowing smirk. "Quite a lot."

It was because she had noticed a particular figure.

The woman had sleek, shoulder-length hair and was wearing a dazzling haute couture dress embellished with sequins—an ostentatiously luxurious look.

Only April Graham could pull off such a grand entrance.

All eyes in the room turned to her. Everyone knew who she was, and they eagerly flocked to greet her.

"Miss Graham, you look absolutely stunning tonight. Simply gorgeous."

"I know, right? A graduate from a top university and one of the best senior engineers in the country. It’s enough to make anyone burn with envy."

"And speaking of envy, of course there’s the fact that she’s dating Mr. Kane."

"We’re talking about *the* Mr. Kane, every woman’s dream man. Who wouldn’t be insanely jealous that Miss Graham is with him?"

This remark drew murmurs of agreement from the others.

April Graham had arrived with Jason Graham.

Jason Graham’s broad, tall frame was inherently intimidating, and his mere presence put everyone on edge.

This was especially true given his rugged, sharp features. Many wanted to approach and curry favor, but his powerful aura kept them at bay.

Jason Graham had no time for their fawning. With a cool expression, his gaze swept the room and locked precisely onto Nina Thorne.

Nina noticed his stare but coolly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn’t seen him.

She and Albert Locke moved to another part of the room and began greeting acquaintances.

All of them had some degree of business history with The Thorne Group.

However, they were all skeptical of Nina’s capabilities, even if her status demanded their respect.

"Miss Thorne, I hear you’ve taken over management at The Thorne Group and have already made some big moves these past couple of days."

"That situation at the construction site yesterday, in particular—you handled it beautifully. You’ve certainly got courage for someone so young."

"For a young woman, you have extraordinary nerve. Your response was steady and composed. Many men couldn’t have done as well."

"It seems Master Thorne trained you very well..."

They showered her with compliments.

At the mention of her grandfather, Nina’s chest tightened.

But she maintained her composure and smiled serenely. "You’re all too kind. But my grandfather did indeed teach me well."

"At the very least, he taught me that you can’t abandon your conscience. Even when you’re making money, you have to do it honestly."

Her words left the crowd somewhat stunned.

’To have such insight at her age...!’

Just then, a commotion erupted in the hall, punctuated by envious gasps.

Hearing the noise, Nina instinctively turned to look.

Justin Kane had arrived.

Dressed in a dark, custom-tailored suit, he was tall and long-legged, with handsome features that would command attention anywhere.

He was, in a word, breathtaking.

April Graham, noticing Nina watching, deliberately approached Justin Kane with a warm smile. "Justin, you’re finally here."

Her smile was intimate as she reached out to take his arm.

But Justin sidestepped her, giving her an impassive glance. "Miss Graham, please have some self-respect. Keep your hands to yourself."

The faces of the men who had been fawning over her just moments ago became a picture.

’Justin Kane seems so cold to her. That’s not what the rumors said at all.’

April’s face froze in embarrassment for a second before she let out a nervous laugh to cover it. "Justin, it’s no big deal. Don’t be shy."

As she spoke, she looked up at him, the adoration on her face unconcealed.

Everyone took notice and began to joke good-naturedly.

"Mr. Kane and Miss Graham make such a perfect couple. When can we expect to hear wedding bells?"

"I heard a rumor that Mr. Kane was going to announce his wedding and hold the reception at the end of the month. Is that true?"

April Graham’s brows furrowed in anxiety.

’These people are so nosy, asking whatever they please.’

She clenched her fists nervously, afraid Justin would say something harsh, and was about to interrupt.

But then she heard Justin’s deep voice cut in. "That’s true..."

He paused, then added crisply, "But not with her."

The crowd’s expressions froze.

April Graham, in particular, went deathly pale, the smile on her lips twitching stiffly.

"Justin, stop joking around with them."

She then turned to the crowd and took it upon herself to explain, "Justin is just kidding. We don’t have any plans to get married at the moment."

Watching her meek and timid display, a flash of contempt crossed Jason Graham’s eyes.

’So pathetic, and all for a man.’

’A disgrace.’

With that, he strode toward Nina Thorne. Behind him, Justin Kane’s cold clarification rang out.

"Miss Graham and I are barely acquaintances. We have no plans to marry, nor will we ever."

Instantly, an uproar erupted behind him.