Joey experienced firsthand the difficulty of earning a place in Imperia.Their saboteurs had been making her life more difficult. The attack only calmed down a bit shortly before she left for Firelle.And now, the Fulhams had come to bother her again.No matter how excellent Emmen strived to be, it would struggle to gain footing without connections."Selena, should we work with someone more influential?" Joey turned to Selena."Those people only want to acquire us. They are not helping us out of good faith," answered Selena.As Emmen became increasingly popular, many tried to invest in the brand. They promised an enticing sum. Similarly, they made a lot of demands. Most of them were traps.Had they not proceeded cautiously, Emmen would have fallen into somebody else's hands already. They would be toiling to fatten someone else's wallet.Joey let out a sigh."We're all alone in Imperia, aren't we?" asked Joey."Yes. Our priority enemy is Yvonne, and she asked the Fulhams to do
Zachary was surprised that Hanson didn't come to Yvonne's defense blindly like he used to."You investigated your own sister because of Selena?" uttered Emily in disbelief.Hanson turned to her. "I don't want to argue with you. Ask Yvonne to come down here. I have questions for her."Emily hollered, "Yvonne is in a bad mood, alright? She likes Zachary so much and was slapped by one of his cronies. He didn't even apologize to her. What more do you want from her?""What if Yvonne is in the wrong this time?" Hanson yelled back."So what? She just came back recently. As her brother, are you going to bully her like those outsiders? She is your sister. She can afford to make a mistake."Emily was so overzealous that she was beyond reasoning.Zachary glared at Emily. For a brief moment, he wanted to tell her that Yvonne wasn't her daughter. Fortunately, his rationality held him back.Hanson was so mad that he began heaving. "I don't care. You have no reason to sabotage Emmen just beca
Joey was watching a TV show when her nose suddenly felt itchy. A loud sneeze followed.She rubbed her nose and grumbled, "The heater is on. Why does it feel like I'm catching a cold?"She wondered how the meeting went between Selena and Pixie. Even though she was watching a TV show, her mind was elsewhere.As she watched the show idly, her phone suddenly rang. Joey looked down. The number on the screen felt familiar but she couldn't recall who it belonged to.She decided to pick it up.As soon as she did that, Emily's voice sounded from the other end. "Ms. Linton, are you free for coffee?"No wonder the number looked familiar. She had blocked the caller but later thought that it was unnecessary, so she unblocked it."Just spill it here. I don't want to go out when it's so cold," declined Joey."If you don't want Emmen and Pixie's partnership to fall apart, you'll do well to design Yvonne a dress. It doesn't have to be flashy, just something that suits her," Emily threatened.J
Melvin was touched by Joey's words."I can't believe you still remember my pearls. The new year is over. If you're free, come and visit Minville!"Joey turned him down dryly. "I'd love to visit, but Pixie and my company have an important launch party in March. We've been working on it.""Oh, I have heard about that. Then just come when you're free. Maybe around August or September? We have festivities here." Melvin spoke like a carefree child whose main concerns were where to play and eat.Joey was envious of him.She smiled upon hearing his suggestion. "Sure, I'll come visit when I'm free. Anyway, I called today because I want you to continue investigating Yvonne. She continues to sabotage Emmen, making our lives more difficult."Emmen became many companies' common enemy in Imperia because Yvonne colluded with Brook to sabotage Emmen.Now that the entire Fulham family was involved, those companies would only double down on their assaults."I'd love to investigate more, but I c
Harrison was overwhelmed with work as Pixie was probed for taxation problems.Joey overheard several arguments between Selena and him. As an opinionated woman, Selena wanted Harrison to handle the situation as quickly as possible.However, Pixie's board members were putting pressure on Harrison. They wanted to kick Selena out of the board and terminate the partnership with Emmen. Therefore, an argument broke out."Did Harrison just say we were why Pixie was in this dire situation? It's not my fault that Pixie's taxation is a mess," Selena complained to Joey after she hung up.Joey patted her on the shoulder and consoled, "Calm down now. No need to quarrel with him.""You think I want to quarrel with him? I was stupid enough to date him. I shouldn't have worked with Pixie. He and I are now in limbo. What a mess." Selena sat on the couch and heaved.Joey soothed her friend. "We can give up on Pixie if nothing works out."But Selena was reluctant. "We've invested in them. Plus, we'
Lawrence's laughter was the first to break the silence in the room.He asked, "Isn't there something dodgy in your tax records? I was told you have committed tax evasion worth up to hundreds of millions in the past years."If Pixie wants to continue operating, it has to repay its debt. We also need to find out who pocketed that money, do we not?"Harrison glared at Lawrence. "I believe we will handle the repayment ourselves, Mr. Howard. However, is helping Emmen the sole reason why you're providing capital?"Lawrence's nonchalance didn't waver. "We are helping Emmen. As for whether we'll own Pixie's shares… Well, that's up to Emmen."Harrison turned to the board members. They exchanged looks with one another, communicating through their eyes.In the end, one board member uttered, "Ms. Linton has crossed the Fulhams. You may help us this time, but what about next time?"Pixie is a veteran in the business. We will be very upset if it's forced to close down in such an unceremonious
Cyrus glared daggers at Lawrence.Lawrence continued to smile in an irreverent way. "The only good thing about me is my honesty. Don't you agree, Ms. Linton?""I thank you for your honesty. Please tell Zachary I don't need his help, and ask him to keep the promise he gave me," Joey said politely before walking toward Selena's car.Looking at the shocked and confused expression on Lawrence's face, Cyrus sighed."I told you not to come, but you wouldn't listen, thinking it wasn't a big deal. Ms. Linton and Mr. Gray have already cut ties.""But even if you don't tell her, Ms. Linton will figure out everything herself. So, why lie to her? You'll only annoy her," said Lawrence sincerely.Joey entered Selena's car and put on some music as she waited for her to return.…Selena followed Harrison to his office. As he poured her a glass of water, she cut to the chase, saying, "I'm not thirsty. Just say your piece."Harrison placed the glass of water on the countertop and turned to Sele
Within a week of breaking up with Harrison, Selena announced her relationship with Hanson to the public.They went on high-profile dates and kissed in front of everyone. When Joey saw the news, she worried her friend might take things too far.One day, when Joey was working on her project, Kenneth barged into her workshop impatiently. He exclaimed, "Hanson and Selena are dating. Have you heard?""Of course," said Joey meekly."When did they begin dating? I asked Hanson, but he wouldn't tell me." Kenneth had a hard time believing the news.Somehow, Selena and Hanson began an item. They even kissed in public. This bombshell ignited Imperia's high society."Well, how would I know?" answered Joey, eyes lowered.Kenneth walked toward the single couch nearby and said seriously, "Anyway, I'm happy for them. But I heard that the Fulhams are trying to sabotage your business."They even screwed up your partnership with Pixie. And now, Pixie wants to stop working with you.""Yeah. Pixie
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