Two days before Julian's trial, Harold suddenly received a video of Rose's kidnapping. She looked extremely distressed and was crying non-stop in the video."Mr. Gray Senior, share this video with Joey. Have her promise that she'll agree to mediate with Julian and your wife will be fine. If you don't do so, all you'll receive is her body."Also, don't inform Zachary or I'll kill her immediately," said the kidnappers.The sound of machinery in the background was eerie, but Harold remained calm after watching the video. After all, he had experienced hardships in his youth. This was nothing to him.Rose's terror didn't look fake in the video.He calmly analyzed the situation. He then thought of how Julia used to spend all day trying to get into Rose's good graces. He feared that this situation was related to Julia.The group of kidnappers undoubtedly wanted Julian to be released scot-free. They also wanted to negatively affect the relationship between the Grays and the Lintons.Tha
Julia gave Zachary a call in the evening."Zac, my brother's comrades have kidnapped Rose. I'll send you the address. Hurry up and save her!" she yelled.She sounded anxious and like she was about to cry.Zachary thought that if she put this much work into acting, she would've won an award by now.Sadly, some people were truly useless. Even if you paved the way for them, they would still be limited as they dared not to step out of their comfort zone."When did this happen? My grandpa didn't tell me." Zachary deliberately humored her, but he had signaled for Shane to take action.Shane leaked their phone conversation to Julian's men. Julia was unaware of what had transpired. "They sent the video to Harold because they know you are hard to handle. They threatened him to not tell you."For now, only Harold and Monica have received the video. Their goal was to have the two of them persuade Joey into agreeing to a mediation, thus avoiding the need for a trial."After a moment of
Julia's face was streaked with tears. Combined with the blood on her face, she looked terrifying.She sobbed softly and mumbled constantly, "Zachary, how could you do this to me? How could you…"Grayson thought she was beyond saving upon seeing how she only thought of Zachary at that moment.She even betrayed her brother for the sake of living a famous and wealthy life. She was beyond selfish!"Just hang here and think about Zachary to your heart's content. No one will recognize your dead body by the time you're found."Even Zachary would probably not recognize you. Oh, even if he recognized you, he wouldn't care about you."After he said that, he left with his men.Once everyone left, Julia slowly emerged from her despair. She was covered in wounds, and her face bled non-stop.She struggled for a moment, but she was about to pass out from the pain."Julian…" she started saying before trailing off.At that moment, she truly understood what regret felt like. When had she ever
Julia clenched her teeth. "Stop talking!"Zachary stared at her coldly but said nothing."Officer, may I speak to him?" She looked at the police officer beside her with empty eyes."Alright, I'll let you speak to him, but you must admit your wrong-doings. Refusing to admit guilt won't benefit you during your sentence."After the officer said that, he stood up and left.Shane pulled a chair out for Zachary.Zachary sat down. He looked at Julia coldly without saying a word."You came over to my residence the other day, and you were holding a picture of Grayson while interrogating me."You already had a plan on how you'd deal with me, didn't you?" Julia eyed him. Her gaze was filled with hatred.That day, he showed her a picture of Grayson on his phone and asked if she recognized him.Just a few days before he showed her the picture, she just so happened to have contacted Grayson to plan how to use Rose to gain Zachary's trust.Of course, she denied knowing Grayson. But she sti
After the massage, the two of them exited the massage parlor.Upon seeing Henry lurking behind a tree near the massage parlor, Selena couldn't help but say, "Did Zachary follow us to the massage parlor?""Huh?" Joey thought that Zachary had actually arrived.She followed Selena's line of sight and realized it was Henry.She immediately explained, "Zachary didn't come. Henry has been following me lately. I also forgot to mention to you that Yvonne and Hanson have come to Eldeville.""What are they doing here?" Selena asked and furrowed her brows.She didn't understand the feud between Joey and the Fulham family. But the incident with Yvonne transferring money to them had left her with a very negative impression of them."Yvonne said she came to order dresses, but that's not her main purpose. As for Hanson, he's accompanying her," Joey replied.Selena's face was filled with disdain. "What other purpose does she have?"Joey looked at her and whispered, "Ordering dresses is just a
After Joey hung up, her thoughts spiraled.How did Yvonne come into contact with Rose? And why was Zachary fine with that? Did Yvonne visit Zachary's place or Rose's place?Countless unanswered questions addled Joey's mind. She knocked on her skull with her knuckle and chided herself, "Stop dwelling on it. They are none of your business!"Her strategy proved ineffectual as Joey tossed and turned the whole night without closing her eyes.She arrived at her office with dark circles around her eyes the next morning.Selena saw Joey's distraught state and asked worriedly, "Did you pull an all-nighter making dresses again?""No, I did not," denied Joey.The progress on her design was close to nil, so she didn't want to use it as a convenient excuse."What did you do, then?" Selena leaned closer to scrutinize Joey's dark circles. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."Take the day off. We can still afford a day of delay.""I'll be fine." Joey dismissed Selena's advice with a wave
Zachary arrived at the hospital very early in the morning. Disdain flashed in his eyes when he saw Yvonne, who was visiting Rose."Ms. Ziegler, if you like my grandma this much, you can take her back to your home." Zachary stood by the entrance, not wanting to enter the ward.Rose immediately reproached Zachary. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?"You're always busy, and you leave me all alone in the hospital. I'm glad that Yvonne came to accompany me."Zachary made no response."Yvonne is the most attentive girl I've ever met. She asked the chef to cook my favorite breakfast."My granddaughter-in-law isn't half as thorough as Yvonne." Rose dug at Joey. Her eyes were full of affection as she peered at Yvonne."If you like Yvonne that much, Grandma, you can have her. I'll be on a business trip for two weeks, so I'll notify the hospital."You'll recuperate here and call Grandpa if something happens," utterly Zachary matter-of-factly before leaving.He hardly sa
Yvonne shrugged and continued nonchalantly, "Well, I did misspeak and offend Joey."I came to Eldeville to apologize to her, and that somehow made her resent Hanson, too. Gosh, why can't I do something right for once?"Yvonne's eyes reddened with hurt. Upon listening to Yvonne's story, Rose detested Joey even more.Like Yvonne, she had said something Joey didn't like to hear, and Joey held grudges until now. It was so bad that Joey divorced Zachary.Rose clutched Yvonne's hands and said vehemently, "It's also thanks to Joey that Zac took some distance from me. She isn't a good friend to have, trust me.""But Hanson likes her a lot," whispered Yvonne.Rose felt great after expressing her dissatisfaction with Joey. It became a bonding session with Yvonne because they were now in the same boat.…During the lunch break, Henry bought Stacy coffee. He carried the beverage with him back to the office and approached Stacy when she was bringing back take-out."Stacy, I don't know what
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