Joey listened quietly as Selena rambled. There was a faint smile on her face. Selena's concern caused warmth to bubble up in her chest."Oh yeah, didn't the bracelet Kenneth gave you have a GPS tracker? Did he mention how to connect it to your phone?" After she said that, she urged Joey once more, "Text him to ask about it."Now, she wished she could arm Joey with all that benefitted her and protect her well. It would let others know that she was not to be messed with!Speaking of the bracelet, Joey realized that although Kenneth had told her about the bracelet's function, he did not tell her whose phone the bracelet would connect to. She had forgotten about it at that moment.However, she did not wish to ask him about it right now.Kenneth and Hanson did not contact her after they returned to the capital, which illustrated the problem."There's no need to do so. It's able to connect. Besides, this bracelet has an important function and it must be used in emergencies."Moreove
Upon hearing that, Melvin's smile remained."That won't do. Ms. Linton's my guest and someone my friend sent. I need to escort her to the hotel safely."Joey thought he would agree. She had not expected him to reject Zachary."Mr. Gray, let's each take our separate rides," she suggested.She did not wish to share a ride with him. Regardless of why he was there, it had nothing to do with her.Kent smiled and slung his arm over Melvin's shoulders. His eyes curved into a mesmerizing smile.He asked, "What? Are you worried that Zachary, a prominent person, would mistreat her?"Melvin became unexpectedly serious. "Man, you've got it wrong. The both of you knowing her is one thing, but me taking care of my guest is another matter entirely." "Mr. Fuller, let's get in the car," said Joey.She did not wish to interact with them too much. After saying that, she walked to a car and opened the door. She was the first to sit inside."Mr. Gray, may we meet again." Melvin pulled away from
Joey soon received Yvonne's picture. She was a gorgeous lady with an aloof air. Her skin was fair and she looked like an agreeable person. Joey tossed the situation to the back of her mind after she saved her picture.The next morning, as she was eating breakfast downstairs, she unexpectedly ran into Kent and Zachary."Ms. Linton, there aren't many seats left. Come, let's share a table." Kent immediately waved when he saw her. He was extremely friendly.As she hesitated, Melvin's voice rang out in the restaurant."Morning, beautiful! I'm right on time. Come on, I'll get you some tastier breakfast. The breakfast here isn't good.""Alright." She approached him with a smile in her eyes.Although Zachary's face remained impassive, he gripped his utensils so tightly that the veins showed."That brat!" Kent flushed with anger. A moment later, he felt aggrieved. "Joey showed us no mercy.""Pay the bill," ordered Zachary. He stood up immediately.Melvin, who was back on his home tur
Joey unwittingly shifted her gaze to Zachary. Was his question intentional?He tilted his head, gazed at her, and asked, "What?""Nothing." Joey looked away and continued staring at the scenery. His words caused her to reevaluate the relationship between herself and Samuel.If it was merely for mutual benefits, then she did not feel uncomfortable with Samuel's actions. She could brush it off as him making money.However, Samuel had asked if they were still friends.Those words were like getting a get-out-of-jail-free card from her in advance. Even if he did something unsavory, she had no choice but to swallow her displeasure, forgive him, and continue their friendship.After breakfast, Joey went to look at the stock over at Melvin's home. Zachary and Kent could not follow her, so they could only see the both of them off instead.Joey took Melvin's car to the seaside.The location was covered in piers. Many fishing boats were docked there, but what caught everyone's eye was the
Joey was not in a rush. When it came to business, those who rushed had already lost."Mr. Melvin, didn't you seek me out due to Chloe's reputation?" She lifted the cup of coffee and calmly blew on the steaming beverage.Their current collaboration was extremely beneficial to Melvin. Art was priceless. Joey's reputation could help elevate the pearls' price.He wouldn't suffer a loss even if he earned a little less.After all, once the pearls were incorporated into a design by Emmen, they would no longer be considered regular pearls. Instead, the pearls would be considered pearls acknowledged by craftsmen.Businesses seeking to borrow Chloe's influence would choose to buy his pearls.Melvin's pearls were good. Sadly, the business had yet to make a name for itself, hence it could not be sold at a good price.Nowadays, products needed to be endorsed by celebrities. Only then would it sell well. How else would influencers make money?"It's hard being a craftsman, huh?" He laughed as
Kenneth looked down. His eyes flickered in the dark. There must be a lot of things going on in his mind.Joey smiled wryly. The night breeze picked up a random lock of hair, and Joey quickly tucked it back."If there's nothing else, I'll go in, then. Just call me when you figure it out." Then, Joey left."Joey …" Kenneth grabbed Joey's wrist out of desperation.But then he quickly let go and apologized for his indecency with a scarlet cheek. "Sorry, I didn't think it through. I didn't mean to touch you."I went back to Imperia because … because the Fulhams found their lost daughter. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you."Hanson had told Kenneth that they would apologize to Joey in person once the timing was right.But Kenneth couldn't stand it anymore. He didn't want to go on dates with Yvonne every day. He didn't like her."That's great news. Why apologize? I should thank you for taking this off my plate."It was stressful when you kept insisting that I was the lost Fulham. It wo
Zachary's room was directly opposite Joey's. As soon as he closed the door behind him, the commotion outside became more discernible."Room 6688 is over there.""Don't let her escape!"The mob cussed out threats after threats.Joey was aware of how crazy fans could be nowadays. Some ran fan clubs and enjoyed personal relationships with their idols, insomuch that they even slept with the celebrities.The distance between fans and superstars had never been closer."I did some digging and found out the whole truth. Are you going to clarify yourself or is Kenneth going to do it?" Zachary asked in a hushed voice as he ushered her to the couch."I don't think he'll say anything today. But Emmen needs to release a statement soon," commented Joey calmly as she dogged after Zachary.When a scandal broke out, the earlier a statement was released, the better."Kenneth might not have the last word on this matter." Zachary sat on the couch. His dark, marble eyes revealed nothing about his
Owing Samuel a favor had already made Joey feel bad enough. Imagine owing a favor to three different people—she would have a lot of repaying to do.However, there was no other alternative. If she showed up, it would only fuel the rumors.Joey moved aside, allowing Zachary to open the door and walk out.There was an uproar outside. The guards Melvin had brought with him not only snatched the paparazzi's cameras but also yelled at Kenneth's fans."What on earth is happening here?" Zachary's low, threatening voice appeared.Everyone froze. Silence filled the previously roaring corridor as everyone turned around to look at Zachary.His lanky frame and domineering air could not be ignored. His brows furrowed into tight knots as he scanned the mob.His eyes never lingered on anyone. Yet for those who were meeting Zachary for the first time, they could feel in their bones the coldness in Zachary's eyes. It feared them."Mr. Gray, I am terribly sorry about the commotion. These people s
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