"Who did you send to talk to Cool Apparel about this matter? If they want to criticize, let them. It's our studio's mistake for causing them trouble."If we make a mistake, we should face it and not blame others for not showing mercy and attacking us," said Joey, her voice rising.Then, she couldn't help but cough a few times."If your throat is uncomfortable, let's not talk too much."I have another thing to discuss with you. Grandma asked me to have dinner at your place tonight. Are you alright with that?" Zachary sounded concerned.He was worried about two things: Joey and the dinner invitation.He feared that Joey would feel disgusted if he showed up without asking her beforehand."It's up to Grandma to decide. If I disagreed, would it change anything?" Joey retorted."Well, you even refused to fly back to Eldeville with me, so I didn't want to show up at your house without warning."Although Zachary spoke casually, he was secretly testing Joey's response.Joey leaned bac
At the dining table, Joey poured a glass of wine for Zachary.After exchanging many pleasantries, she finally raised her glass and said, "Our divorce is a thing of the past. I hope you won't dwell on it, Mr. Gray."Everyone should look forward and strive ahead. Of course, I am very grateful for all the help you've given us."Zachary nodded. He picked up a small glass nearby, clinked it with Joey's, and downed the drink. Monica had prepared white wine.She wasn't a romantic person and was not familiar with red wine. It so happened that white wine was suitable for this occasion.However, the wine's sharp taste made Zachary's nerves ache.He even wanted to ask Joey directly what he had to do for a chance to redeem himself.However, he held himself back. It was up to her whether or not she would give him a chance.What right did he have to ask such a foolish question?Even though he was upset and wanted to act like a fool, he kept his thoughts to himself."I've accepted your tr
After Joey posted about Cool Apparel, Cool Apparel reposted her update after seeing her fans expressing their sympathy.They even added an insincere caption, saying, "I never expected your company's employees to be so malicious."Our company was too hasty and misunderstood you. We're truly sorry and feel bad for Ms. Chloe."Following Cool Apparel's post, Zachary also reposted it."Chloe called all the collaborating companies to explain the situation. Cool Apparel was the only company that immediately made a post accusing Chloe of plagiarism after getting the call."Did they think Chloe didn't have evidence to clarify the situation? Is that why they took advantage of the situation to gain sympathy and attention?"As soon as he posted that, Joey's fans shifted their focus to criticize Cool Apparel."They've explained through phone calls. All the collaborating brands, even Leisure Fashion, who was accused of plagiarism during a livestream last night, didn't post anything to bash Ch
What felt absurd to Joey was discovering that netizens had written fanfiction about her and Zachary overnight.The content was quite explicit. Joey went completely red in the face after reading it."Ms. Linton, is the air conditioning temperature set too high? Why is your face so red?" asked Stacy, who was delivering some documents."Yeah, it's quite warm," Joey replied, putting on a serious expression. However, she was frantically clicking on her mouse to cover the webpage with the drawing software.Stacy walked over and placed the documents on her desk. "Should I lower the air conditioning temperature a little?""It's fine. Just get me a bottle of cold water," Joey said, feeling parched due to the fanfiction's explicit content.It was offensive to read such things in the middle of the day.While Stacy went to get water, Joey hurriedly closed the webpage. She pushed aside the distracting thoughts and focused on her sketches.When she was immersed in her work, her phone wouldn'
The fanfiction remained a trending topic for a few days, catching Joey off guard. What was even more crucial was that Zachary had also liked the fanfiction. That made it seem like a reply to the fans."Why did he do that? Is he purposely creating rumors for us?" Joey complained discontentedly to Selena while sitting in the bar.Selena swirled the drink in her glass and said, "You'll never be able to explain yourself now."Joey didn't even dare to retract her like on that fanfiction.It had already been four days since that incident. Joey didn't dare to go online at all. Instead, she had been secretly using Selena's account to check on the situation."What a coincidence!" Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted them.Joey and Selena turned around simultaneously, seeing Samuel in a royal blue suit standing behind them. Judging by his hairstyle, he seemed to have put a lot of thought into his appearance."Mr. Zimmerman, are you here to have a drink with friends?" Selena asked firs
Selena, who had been filled with anger, suddenly deflated like a balloon."Why does Linda hate you so much?" Selena asked, frowning as she held Joey's hand.Joey furrowed her brows and thought for a moment before saying, "It's probably related to Samuel, right? Since Samuel was all dressed up, it had to be a date, right?"Selena rolled her eyes. "I'm speechless."She finally understood. Assuming Samuel and Linda were on a date, Linda's hostility toward Joey was likely because Samuel had been nice to Joey before.When they were still in school, Samuel had taken special care of Joey. Rumors circulated among their classmates that he liked Joey. A brief check by Linda would have let her know about that.However, Joey wasn't bothered about it.The next day, shortly after Joey arrived at the company, Stacy informed her that a visitor had arrived.As soon as Stacy finished speaking, the office door was pushed open."You can't enter this roo—""It's fine." Joey interrupted Stacy.Lo
Zachary looked at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. Joey felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and her brows furrowed even more."Is there anything else?""If you don't tell me, I'll deal with her." Although Zachary's gaze seemed indifferent, he was still exuding hostility."Melvin is her cousin. If you do anything to her, I won't be able to work with Melvin anymore. I might as well just bring his pearls back to him and apologize directly," Joey replied unkindly.Zachary pondered for a moment. "Is she seeing Samuel now?"Joey had to admit that Zachary was quite sharp."I don't know, but what does it have to do with me?" Joey replied indifferently."You may think it doesn't matter, but she sees you as a threat. What does Samuel mean to you, exactly?" Zachary asked calmly.He never expected that one day, he would have such a calm conversation with Joey about another man who had feelings for her."Zachary, we're not close enough for me to discuss these matters, right?" Joey
After some perfunctory exchanges between Samuel and Joey, they hung up the phone, each engrossed in their own thoughts.Joey put down her phone and stared at the computer screen for a while before gradually snapping back to reality.However, before she could catch her breath, she received a message on her phone.Linda: "Don't contact Sam, bitch!"Joey scoffed at the message and deleted it. But soon after, Linda sent another message.Linda: "Do you think having Zachary supporting you means anything? If you provoke me and delay Sam's matters, Sam will cut ties with you."Joey looked at the message for a while before typing a reply.Joey: "Are you so lacking in confidence that you're targeting me with your attacks instead?"Linda's appearance and demeanor didn't match the tone she used in her messages. Joey found the contrast to be quite large.Linda: "Demeaning me to make yourself seem better? Girl, don't fight me."Don't pretend to be magnanimous. No matter how magnanimous you
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