Joey wasn't even aware that she was bantering with Zachary.Henry mentioned that it was her way of getting close to him. Naturally, Zachary wouldn't tell Joey about it, fearing she might distance herself and refrain from bantering with him.During breakfast, Zachary suddenly said, "I'll be heading to the police station later. If everything is fine, I'll head back directly." Joey gave a nonchalant hum and focused on her food. Zachary reached out to pat her head. The next instant, Joey turned her head and spoke unclearly with tacos in her mouth. "What's wrong with you?""What's wrong with me patting my wife's head?" Zachary's tone carried a subtle hint of displeasure. "Who's your wife?" Joey asked as she leaned to the side.After saying it, she noticed that Zachary wasn't upset. Instead, he was looking at her with a subtle smile. Frowning, Joey felt like Zachary had somehow changed.In the past, if she had been this obstinate with him, he would have surely gotten angry. Sh
Joey couldn't help but wonder what kind of hidden gem store was worthy of such high praise."Is it truly worth a visit?" Joey asked with curiosity."I recommended it because I think it would help with your design. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called to disturb you," Kenneth replied warmly.Joey felt a bit guilty for her cautiousness toward Kenneth's goodwill. She licked her lips and asked, "Is it far?""Since you're in Riviera, you should explore it. There are many mysterious shops here, and it would be a pity if you missed them," Kenneth replied as he smiled.At the same time, Joey received the location he sent to her phone."Be sure to check it out. I have to get back to work now," Kenneth said before hanging up. Joey bought a cup of ice cream and headed to the shop Kenneth mentioned. The shop looked quite ancient, with a wooden sign that read "tranquil".Upon entering, Joey discovered an assortment of high-quality wooden carvings, even though it was a café. Feeling a bit su
Joey texted Kenneth. "Thanks a lot for today. I did discover a real treasure."She was certain Yvette would love the waist ornament. In addition to its unique design, the fragrance was also absolutely one of a kind. Kenneth quickly replied to her. "What treasure?"Instead of revealing it, Joey cryptically responded, "You'll know when Yvette walks down the red carpet." "It's going to be a long wait, but I'm still excited about it." Expressing her heartfelt thanks, Joey took a moment to carefully respond to Kenneth's message."When you're free, I'll treat you to a meal."Having sent the message, she realized it had been a long time since she talked to Samuel. She still owed him a meal. Joey instinctively looked for Samuel's name on WhatsApp and promptly messaged him. "What are you busy with? If I don't contact you, you won't contact me either?"In less than a minute, Samuel replied to her message."You're quite the busy person now. I heard you're secretly designing a gow
Joey calmly drank her broth and said, "We didn't fight. Can you find out Kent's address for me? But don't mention that I asked. I want to send you all a small gift.""Alright ..." Selena didn't understand why she wanted to send a gift to Kent. However, from the way she was acting, it was clear that her relationship with Zachary wasn't good. "If there's nothing else, I'll end the call. I've been out all day, and I'm exhausted." Joey's tone remained indifferent, accompanied by the slurping sound."Okay." Selena felt she had hit a dead end. She thought Zachary deserved it anyway. He provoked his wife every other day, so it served him right if she ignored him.After finishing her meal, Joey packed up, switched to a better hotel overnight, and went straight to bed. Zachary had intended to spend the evening on a phone call with Joey, but her avoidance left him in a terrible mood. Summoned to the bar by Zachary, Kent leaned on his chin, watching him drink.Zachary, who didn't kn
Zachary felt the pain but didn't retreat. He stared at Joey and said, "How did I go too far? I flew from Eldeville to Riviera last night hoping to clarify things with you. But you just checked out without a word. I've been looking for you until now. What's wrong with asking for a kiss as compensation?"Joey didn't think it was just a kiss. He wanted to devour her!"Zachary, I have nothing to say to you," Joey said as she looked up at him. Zachary's gaze was deep like a cold pool. Joey quickly averted her gaze. Zachary raised his hand and gently held her chin. He glanced down, looking at her slightly blush face and her eyes."If there's nothing to say, then don't say anything," he said and kissed Joey's lips again. He tilted his head, kissing her slowly. His kisses carried a sense of exploration and a subtle attempt to please her. "We're husband and wife. Even if you argue with me, I won't argue with you," he softly said.Joey frowned as she looked at him. "Zachary, I want
Joey stared at him and suddenly exclaimed, "Zachary said your sexual orientation is off. He's unwilling to come over to get the clothes as he's afraid that you might have ideas about him."A trace of surprise crossed Henry's face. After a moment, he responded with a polite smile, "Mr. Gray is just trying to amuse you. I can understand his intentions."Zachary burst into laughter in the room. It was Joey's first time hearing him laugh so heartily. She awkwardly smiled at Henry. Then, she turned around with the paper bag in her hand and casually closed the door."Go and get changed," Joey said as she walked to the bedside.Zachary leaned against the bed. He looked at her with a playful expression in his eyes as he responded, "Alright."Joey tossed the paper bag to him. He lifted the blanket, unabashedly changing clothes in front of her. "You've slept with me and even seen every inch of my body. Don't keep bringing up divorce, okay?" Zachary told Joey straightforwardly.Hearing
Joey took a seat and messaged Zachary."Transfer me one million dollars."Since the gift was for him, she didn't want to waste her own money. Besides, she didn't have that much money in her account now, and her earnings were all in the company's account.This was her first time asking Zachary for money. While Zachary was quite surprised, he still transferred her five million dollars. "Spend it however you want."Joey chuckled coldly as she read the message. She knew Zachary had given Julia much more than this.However, considering that he transferred the money without asking any questions, she didn't bother to argue with him.Within a few days, Kent, Kenneth, and Samuel all received the gifts from Joey.Upon learning that Kent received a griffin from Joey, Zachary was furious.Seeing Kenneth bragging about a bracelet on Twitter, he knew without a doubt that it was a gift from Joey. Samuel, catching Kenneth's show-off, also flaunted his wooden keyboard on Twitter.Everyone re
In the following days, Joey kept frequenting Hanson's café and became a regular there.Whenever she felt tired from her embroidery work, she would go to the café to drink tea, eat pastries, and brainstorm design ideas.Meanwhile, Hanson would sit across from her, working on wood carvings. His current work involved taking commercial orders and carving animated characters.As Joey got to know him, she discovered that he accepted orders regardless of the amount and it depended solely on his mood.Initially, she thought the café wasn't profitable, but now she realized his artworks were well-known on the internet. Running a café was a side job while carving was his livelihood.Feeling a bit tired from drawing, Joey put down her tablet. Sipping on her tea, she observed Hanson, who had his head down, focusing on the characters he was working on.Given her limited exposure to such aspects, she couldn't decipher anything even after observing for a while.She couldn't help but be impresse
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