Joey agreed with what Selena said. She, too, felt angry but powerless.Suddenly, the office phone rang.Selena saw that the caller was Pixie and picked it up right away."Hello?" she uttered coldly.Joey leaned closer to eavesdrop."It's me, Ms. Sanders. Can you contain the rumors online so we can release news of our collaboration later?" said Harrison professionally.Selena was pleasantly surprised. "Your company doesn't have any issue with the rumors?""What's the point of bringing this up when we're working together? Who knows what's real and what's fake anymore?"We just have to do our job and dispel the rumors. Don't forget the press conference tonight," said Harrison nonchalantly.A scandal broke out right when they were about to collaborate. It didn't take Harrison too long to realize that this was yet another sabotage attempt launched against Emmen."So you don't believe the rumors?" Selena was still shocked.Harrison chuckled. "You told me that someone's trying to s
Inside the press conference, Joey and Selena sat in their seats. Harrison and other higher-ups from the company followed suit.Zachary and others were seated on the first row below the stage. The rows behind were given to other business owners of the fashion industry.Cheerfully and sprightly, the emcee walked onto the stage."As you all know, Pixie is a staple among the domestic brands. I was wonderfully surprised when they announced a cross-generational collaboration with the upcoming star, Emmen."The emcee greeted everyone on stage.She then turned to Harrison. "Mr. Zucman, what prompted you to work with Emmen?"Harrison faced the camera and uttered casually, "Pixie is slowly fading out of public view. It is an honor to be able to work with Emmen."He implied in a tactful way that Pixie was past its heyday, and a collaboration with Emmen could hopefully help Pixie regain its former glory.The emcee nodded and commented, "When Pixie was first launched, it stole many women's
Many resonated with what Selena had said.The journalist was furious, but he was quickly escorted out by security.Thus ended the Q&A session. The group then went to a restaurant.Joey sat next to Selena and told Harrison the inspirations she had obtained during the conference."Pixie still supports their own members after a decade. I think your brand is sentimental, and I want to design something along that theme." Joey showed Harrison her notebook.Selena had already seen Joey's design, so she could afford to space out a little bit.She turned her head and looked to the side, finding the person she expected to see.Hanson met her gaze. As they locked eyes, something unfamiliar budded inside Selena's heart.She withdrew her gaze and returned to Joey and Harrison's conversation."I like your idea. But I'm not well-versed in fashion. I'm sure you know what the audience likes, given the number of fans you have," Harrison was saying.He was only summoned back to be the CEO in an
When Joey heard what Selena told her, she was happy for her."It'd be great if you could be with Harrison like this," Joey said with a smile that reached her eyes as she held Selena's hand in hers."I sure hope so. I don't ask for much in a boyfriend. After all, we're all busy and don't have the time and energy to mess around like youngsters anymore." Selena seemed happy, too.Joey couldn't help but feel bad for Hanson. He was such a dull person that Selena would never choose him."How about you? Did you sit with Zachary for an entire hour without saying a word? Very romantic, aren't you?" Selena teased."I can sit with him if that's what he wants. I don't harbor any feelings for him, anyway," Joey said coldly."Honestly speaking, I'm quite certain that Zachary still likes you. Why else would he follow you everywhere you go? I refuse to believe that he wants nothing from you!" Selena said with conviction.She'd noticed Zachary expressing his love for Joey in a very restrained ma
"What are you doing? I'm her husband. Can't I come here for my wife?" the man hollered.Joey wanted to push him away, only to have him tighten his grip."Let go of her. She's hurt! She needs to go to the hospital now!" yelled one of the people who came to welcome Joey.The man hugged Joey even tighter. Joey felt an overwhelming force crushing her chest. She almost couldn't breathe.The cameras from the paparazzi around her flashed incessantly. They were exhilarated—news of Joey's marital status would surely go viral on the internet."No! I know she is safe. She only pretends to be hurt because she doesn't want to forgive me."She came to Imperia to avoid me. I'm sure of it. And I came to apologize to her," the man wailed thunderously."Let go!" Joey squeezed out two words as she caught her breath.The man heard what she had said and began sobbing. "I'm sorry, my love. I shouldn't have pissed you off. Come back to me. I have reflected upon myself. I know I did so much—""Shut u
Before the woman could finish her sentence, Henry grabbed her collars and warned, "Mind your tongue now, woman. We can sue you for slandering Ms. Chloe."Intimidated by the menace in his eyes, the middle-aged woman's knees wobbled, and she almost fell to the ground. She collected the man on the floor and tried to stagger away.When Henry turned around, Zachary made an appearance.The press was excited, but they dared not to ask any questions as they didn't want to be the next victim.Facing the cameras, Zachary uttered coldly, "Chloe has never married any other men because I'm the only man in her life. I trust you know what to write in your articles?"The journalists nodded obediently, afraid of defying his order. After he left with Henry, a commotion broke out."So, Chloe is dating Zachary?""Dating? He said he was the only man in her life. I think they got married in secret.""Right. That explains why he goes wherever Chloe goes. He's the overprotective husband.""This is go
Zachary nodded. "How were they supposed to take the bait if I didn't put on a little show?"So, he fed the press the wrong information on purpose?Meeting her silence, Zachary realized he might have said something wrong. Then, he quickly clarified, "I was very mad when I hit that guy. You know how I feel about you.""I don't," answered Joey coldly.Her brusqueness rendered him speechless, so he turned back to his game. Did this man have nothing to do?While Zachary was playing his games, Joey took out her drawing tablet and began sketching her draft.After a while, Zachary said, "You're going to work yourself to death if you work this hard."Joey was so engrossed in her drawing that she did not hear what he said.Zachary stopped playing games and gazed at her with one hand on his chin until the ward door flung open.Yvonne was standing by the entrance. As Zachary turned to face her, she smiled brightly. "Mr. Gray, you're here! I came to visit Joey."A disgusted expression app
When they left the hospital, Emily called out to Yvonne from time to time, but the latter ignored her.Once they were home, Yvonne stormed upstairs and locked herself inside her room.Unable to do anything, Emily could only call Hanson."Why aren't you home? Where are you?" she confronted angrily when Hanson picked up the call.He used to come home as soon as he finished his work. But now, he hadn't been home for several days."I'm abroad. What happened?" asked Hanson gently."Yvonne is throwing a tantrum. Come back and talk some sense into her," ordered Emily.Hanson fell silent for a while before replying, "Is she mad because Zachary came to Joey's rescue? Just give up already. Zachary's love for Joey runs deep."Besides, the Grays and the Lintons are close. No amount of meddling can ruin that bond."Emily knew that, of course. That was why she reacted negatively when Yvonne suggested that they pair Kenneth and Joey up.However, Yvonne did not take the objection kindly and
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