Joey did not wait for Zachary. When Zachary was done comforting Rose, only Kent and Julia remained at the corridor's entrance.At the sight of Zachary, Julia approached him with concern, asking, "How is Grandma doing?"Zachary's gaze was not very friendly. However, he maintained a normal tone of voice when he replied, "Nothing too serious. But in the future, you're not allowed to have any contact with my grandmother."Julia, feeling a bit hurt by his words, replied, "Zachary, Grandma might need someone to talk to because of her age. I could keep her company and talk to her."Her words caught Zachary's attention. Under his serious scrutiny, Julia felt a bit flustered, and her eyes began to dart around the room. Biting her lip, she softly asked, "What's wrong?"Kent stood nearby, calmly observing the situation."I don't like people who cross boundaries," Zachary replied nonchalantly.Hearing that, Julia gulped. Quietly, she replied, "I got it.""As long as you abide by the
Neither of them noticed Zachary.Smiling, Samuel said, "Saying that makes you seem distant. I've invested quite a bit in this drama, so of course, I hope it gets good reviews upon its release."Joey had benefited greatly that day. "Let me treat you to a meal another day.""In that case, you owe me two meals. You have to treat me tomorrow night. Bring me to a place with snacks and a lively atmosphere," Samuel said, heading toward the steps at the hotel entrance. "Come, I'll take you back. I made sure I didn't drink today, so you don't have to worry.""Uh, I can take a cab myself," Joey hesitated, following him.Casually, Samuel twirled the keys with his fingers in a familiar motion. "You're being too formal."Joey let out an awkward laugh. She couldn't quite understand Samuel's intentions, but it wasn't appropriate to treat him so coldly after he helped her.As she was about to accompany Samuel to the parking lot, a Bugatti, which bore a license plate she was familiar with, s
Zachary did not have any intimate interactions with Joey that night, which was rare.Until three in the morning, he still couldn't figure out why Joey had changed. She had been using the pseudonym "Chloe" for the past three years when taking orders. It wasn't something that happened after she started working. After much contemplation, he thought it might have slowly changed after Julia appeared. Could it be that she was jealous of Julia?Suddenly, Zachary seemed to have an epiphany. He glanced at Joey, who was asleep, and inched closer to her. Joey felt herself being pulled into Zachary's embrace. Instead of resisting, she chose to comply.The next morning, when Joey came out of her room, she was surprised to see Zachary having breakfast with her grandmother. He was gentle as if nothing had happened between them last night.As she sat down, her grandmother grinned at her as she served her a bowl of stew. "Thank you, Grandma," Joey said."I feel relieved that you two are fine.
As the car approached the studio, Zachary didn't unlock it. Instead, he turned to Joey and said, "Your collaboration with Samuel needs to be terminated urgently. If you do that, Kent won't require you to pay the penalty fee.""If you have to add a bunch of conditions to make a concession, you can save it." With that, Joey reached to open the door. Finding that she couldn't open it, she took a deep breath and turned to Zachary. Zachary looked at her calmly. "Joey, it's pointless for you to make a fuss. You kept talking about divorce previously, then you brought up various reasons to stay together. What are you doing right now?"Joey replied, "Open the door, I'm going to work.""Regarding the collaboration with Samuel—""It's not up to me; I'm just an employee," Joey said, interrupting Zachary coldly.Zachary stared her down. "Open the door," Joey said, pushing the car door.Finally, Zachary unlocked the door.He couldn't argue with what she said. He had investigated Emmen
After the assistant hung up the call on Joey's phone, she shook her head and muttered under her breath, "Ms. Linton is not married. What the heck is he saying?"Having said that, she glanced into the office, where Samuel was chatting with Joey. Instantly, a smile appeared on her face. Even though Ms. Linton had a great on-screen chemistry with Mr. Gray, Julia was a fan of pure romance. Zachary buying a bag for Julia during the show had turned the assistant against their ship.Hence, she decided to support the Samuel-and-Joey ship instead. When she heard that Samuel was Joey's senior, she envisioned a heartbreaking campus romance.When the phone rang again, she picked it up. Realizing it was the same number as before, she impatiently answered."My dear sister-in-law!" Kent called anxiously."Who are you? Ms. Linton is not married. What are you calling her?" the assistant said fiercely.Zachary took Kent's phone to ask, "Where's Joey?"The assistant paused for a moment. That voi
At that moment, Kent suddenly spoke, "Zachary, why don't we let Ms. Linton share a car with Samuel? After all, they are the ones treating, and it's good for them to discuss."Zachary glanced at him to see him signaling desperately with his eyes. Zachary let go of Joey's hand. After calmly looking him in the eyes, she left.Not expecting her to leave so decisively, Kent stole a glance at Zachary. Zachary wore a stoic expression, not revealing any psychological changes within him. However, Kent still felt a bit worried."Zachary ..." Kent whispered."Let's talk in the car," Zachary muttered.With that, he left. When Joey reached Samuel's car, she saw the double R emblem on his car and couldn't help noting how flashy the car was. Samuel was surprised to see her coming over. "Didn't Mr. Gray want to be with you? Why did you come over?""Well, I don't know." Joey walked over and opened the door.With a smile playing on his lips, Samuel asked, "Mr. Gray looks like he's pursuing yo
Joey picked up the plate and stood up. With an indifferent expression on her face, she replied, "Because, for three years, I've told you so many times and never bothered about it. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I feel it's pointless that you want to know now."She walked into the kitchen and started washing the dishes. When she was just done with the dishes, Zachary hugged her from behind and kissed her ear."Joey, tell me. For the past three years—""If you want to do it, do it quickly. Don't delay my sleep; I have to get up early tomorrow," Joey interrupted his soft words of service.Zachary pinched her waist. "Stubborn, aren't you?"Joey winced from the pinch and furrowed her beautiful brows. "Are you doing it or not? If you're not doing it, get out. Anyway, I wasn't home for a week, and neither were you. You came home for a different taste after you got sick of Julia, right?""I was at the Gray Estate this week. Why are you making wild guesses? You keep denying
Joey had genuinely had enough. Not only did she ignore his feelings, but she also no longer cared about Grandma's advice."Come on, what can she do? Why bother going out when she's got a supposedly capable husband like you? Thinking about scraping together a few measly bucks – typical countryside mentality." Rose scoffed. Zachary used to dislike Joey, so he usually shrugged off such remarks instantly. But now, as he listened closely, those words felt like thorns stabbing at his heart."Grandma, have you always talked to her like this?" Zachary suddenly asked."What's the deal? Do you think I'm making this up? She's been leeching off us for three years, burning through millions, and her belly's as silent as ever," Rose grumbled with disdain.Zachary, unfazed, responded, "I've always said I don't want kids. Why make it difficult for her? Why did you call her back today?"His tone carried a hint of anger. Rose, sensing it, stammered, "I got a doctor to check on her.""It won't c
Joey shot him a cold glance. "You and he are both the same, so neither of you should be laughing at the other."Zachary nodded. "You're right, but I've turned over a new leaf now.""Let's go. Enough about him," Joey said. She was annoyed whenever Henry was brought up.He had a great girl willing to be with him, yet he was still unhappy. Any other man would have been grinning from ear to ear.They arrived at the restaurant, and while Joey ordered the food, Zachary sent a message to Henry."You should think about this. Joey and Grandma just want you to have someone by your side in the future, which is why they're saying these things."Don't give up on her just because of what her parents said. Having someone who genuinely likes you is rare."From Zachary's perspective, Henry had a pretty good start. Tessa didn't mind his circumstances, so what was he dissatisfied with?Henry quickly replied, "I know. I'll think about it carefully."In truth, Henry found it all a bit troublesome.
Henry was immediately startled and started stammering, "O-Okay."As soon as Joey hung up the phone, she turned to see Tessa, who was crying pitifully, and handed her a tissue.Tessa took the tissue and sobbed without saying a word.Monica had prepared some desserts for her and looked at her with compassion. "Henry has never been in love before. Plus, he's straightforward and doesn't know how to talk properly. There's no need to cry."Joey thought that Henry just didn't love Tessa enough. Otherwise, how could he say such things?Tessa's eyes were swollen and red. Her tears continuously streamed down. "I know he doesn't like me. Maybe he just agreed to the relationship because I pursued him."Joey patted her shoulder. "In love, if one person is too proactive, the other will seem passive. The fact that you dared to love already makes you braver than many.""What's the point? He doesn't care about me at all." Tessa sniffled."Here, eat something," Monica said. "Feelings like love d
No one tried to persuade Henry further, but Zachary continued to say to him, "Come with me to choose a location for the security company. It's worth doing."Henry was a bit speechless. "I'm not even pursuing the relationship anymore. Why should I still think about the security company?"Zachary responded, "Do you plan to cling to Joey's coattails your whole life? Once the business is set up, you can have apprentices teach others, and you can become a hands-off boss in a year or two."With that, Zachary headed out.After they left, Monica sighed in disappointment. "And I here I thought Henry had found someone good for him.""I think it's quite normal. Finding a good woman isn't easy," Joey said.Henry was indeed a good person, but with one eye missing and his job as a bodyguard, it was inevitable that Tessa's parents would worry."How disappointing," Monica murmured repeatedly.Joey didn't know what else to say and could only comfort her. "There's still a chance. What if Tessa d
Joey snorted. "You looked down on me and thought I had no opinions back then."Zachary pulled her into his arms. "Joey, do you like the person you are now or the person you were before?""What about you?" Joey asked him."I liked you from the beginning. Do you think I would have pursued you for so long if I didn't? I never thought you were serious about the divorce. At first, I was angry, but now I just think I was too slow to react."Joey was genuinely angry back then, but he had thought she was playing hard to get.The two of them sat close and watched the movie together.Selena hadn't returned yet, so Joey guessed that she wouldn't be coming back."Selena probably won't return. Hanson is cunning by taking her away with just a movie," Joey said.Zachary turned off the projector and was still savoring the moment as Joey left his arms."They're in love. Otherwise, Selena wouldn't go with him so easily," Zachary remarked.Selena must really like Hanson. Otherwise, she wouldn't
Zachary squeezed her hand tightly. "You're just like an exquisite and beautiful flower."Joey couldn't help but laugh. She pulled her hand back with a little force. "Even though we just had a heartfelt conversation, I haven't thought about being your girlfriend.""I get it. You're Chloe, and countless people are lining up to pursue you," Zachary said in a voice tinged with jealousy.If she wasn't so focused on her work, she probably would have found a new boyfriend by now. For example, Kenneth was an excellent person. If Joey had accepted him back then, Zachary thought he wouldn't stand a chance now.When they got back to Emmen, Joey freshened up and got back to work.Zachary couldn't help but say, "Can't you take a break?""I've gotten used to this over the past year. When I can't sleep at night, I'll work. I find it hard to relax now," Joey said while reading a document intently.Without her dedication and hard work, Emmen wouldn't have grown so quickly.Zachary beckoned her
Zachary felt a heavy weight on his chest as he looked at Joey.She continued, "Even if I accept you again, and we try to rebuild a family, I know things can never go back to the way they were. I gave you my best years, and I don't feel like I owe you anything."During those three years, you ignored my true feelings and neglected me. Do you think it's possible to go back to the past now?"Zachary said, "I'm truly sorry.""I want to fully accept you, but I can't. You all think that the many hurts inflicted on me are something I can just get over, let go of, and move forward from. But I can't."I realize now that people are complicated and hold grudges. I constantly revisit every wrong done to me. If I didn't care, it would mean I don't care about any of you at all."Joey rarely opened up to Zachary like this, but she felt it necessary to make this clear.Zachary watched her silently and felt as though it was his first time knowing what she actually thought."It's like how I don't
Selena readily agreed, "Alright. It's not fair for you to handle everything alone."Her relationship with Hanson was intense and passionate at the beginning, but now that the initial fire had burned out, Selena felt less attached to Hanson. But after dinner, she was still dragged by Hanson to watch a new movie.Joey was exhausted from work and didn't want to move, so she sat at the dining table with Zachary to enjoy the peace."Shall we head back soon?" Zachary asked after a long while.Joey hummed, exhausted. "Let's sit a bit longer.""If you don't want to walk, I can carry you," Zachary said with a smile.Joey snorted. "Do you want Grandma to scold me? Have you even recovered?""Probably not. These wounds don't heal so easily," Zachary admitted honestly. He wanted to please Joey but had forgotten that his health was no longer as robust as before."Let's sit for another half an hour," Joey said as she leaned back in her chair and replied to messages on her phone."You're work
Selena felt that what Joey said made sense and immediately nodded in agreement. "Then I won't consider marriage."Zachary glanced at them and thought that Selena was a bad influence on Joey. Even if they were married, couldn't they still have fun? What was the difference?Around noon, Hanson and Tessa arrived at Emmen together.As soon as Tessa saw Henry, she ran to him and grabbed his arm. "I got out of class early to see you. You're not mad, are you?"Henry was taken aback, but seeing Tessa clinging to him so sweetly filled his heart with joy."Not at all. Why didn't you tell me? I could have picked you up," Henry said.Tessa held his hand. "Why do you have to pick me up? I know where you work, so I can come to find you."Henry nodded dumbly."Tessa, have you eaten?" Monica stepped forward with a gentle smile."No, but my parents want to invite him to dinner tonight. I've already arranged it with them," Tessa said with a smile.Joey thought this wasn't just a regular dinner
Henry had a smile on his face, looking quite pleased with himself. "Of course, she fell in love with me at first sight."Selena laughed. "Impressive! But your cosplay style probably appeals to most young girls, right?"Henry may have only one eye, but he was still very handsome. He was like a cosplayer you'd see on the street.He simply smiled and picked up his phone to check in with Tessa.After chatting, Henry grinned like a fool. "She asked me out to lunch. She said she doesn't have classes this afternoon and wants to take me to her place."Joey felt a bit envious. "You're incredibly lucky. You need to cherish this."Henry nodded as Monica looked at Henry with a smile."What is your girlfriend studying in grad school?" Selena asked curiously."Something related to Eldelish language studies I think," Henry replied, unsure.Joey nodded. "That sounds good."After finishing his meal, Henry sat nearby, playing on his phone.Selena couldn't help but tell Joey, "Is he just going