Instead of answering, Zachary said, "Tell me. When we were married, did you want to give me a child because you loved me, or because our grandmothers asked you to do so?"Joey frowned. "Why are you asking me?""Just answer me, please," ordered Zachary."Zachary, when one gets married, they build a family. It's only normal. Even if Rose or Grandma hadn't rushed me, I would have wanted to have a child, too," answered Joey honestly."So, you wanted to give me a child out of obligation. It wasn't because of me, right?" Zachary felt frustrated."Zachary, it's all in the past. Let's not bring it up again. Just tell me if you have a way out once you get engaged to the Fulhams."Not one to dwell in the past, Joey merely wanted to know if Zachary had a backup plan for his risky endeavor."You care so much about whether you'll owe me a favor, thinking that you'll never be able to repay me. What are you going to do if I tell you no? Will you live in regret forever? Will you be upset and la
Hanson fell silent. Emily too stood quietly on the sideline.Vaughn then continued, "Why judge someone who was missing for nearly two decades based on your standard?"You are given elite education and upbringing, but Yvonne wasn't. As long as she does not violate the law, we will bail her out no matter what. She can ask Emmen to be gone if she wants, let alone sabotage it."Hanson gulped. Then, he looked his father dead in the eyes and uttered matter-of-factly, "You're enabling her.""She's an adult. I trust her not to go too far. I will indulge her, and you don't get to judge her with your moral standard," rebuked Vaughn angrily."What about me and Selena, then? I love her. I have slept with her. She will bear my baby," Hanson pressed on.He knew that he couldn't hold his missing sister to a high standard, but that didn't mean he'd allow her to hurt an innocent woman."Get out of this house now. I will disown you tomorrow. Selena is never going to be part of our family."Yvonn
Joey and Selena took in Hanson, who "ran away from home".They sat before the company bar's counter where Joey was taking a sip of her milk. Henry warmed up the milk for her. She wasn't a fan of it, but she had no other choice."Only the staff lounge is available here. You can live with me if you don't mind," offered Selena gently, one hand holding her chin."I don't mind," agreed Hanson right away.Joey found it rather amusing. She did not pin Hanson as someone who would argue with his family. Did his relationship with Selena somehow change him?"I'm going to bed now. You guys can continue." Joey left with a yawn.Inside her room, she couldn't help but think about Zachary's engagement to the Fulhams. She felt rather upset about it and didn't have the motivation to do anything.She wondered what was happening to her. Was it the guilt from owing Zachary a favor? Joey tossed and turned on the bed, unable to fall asleep.…News of Zachary's engagement to Yvonne occupied all headl
People began to talk among themselves when Joey came up on stage. Even the chat room in the live stream bustled with countless lines. It was busier than when Harrison was speaking."Oof. Chloe shed her aloof, withdrawn look and turned into a sexy and cool heroine. I love that!""She's a designer alright. She looks so good. I think I'm in love. How can one become cool, handsome, and sexy at the same time?""Maybe she can save Pixie after all? It's Chloe we're talking about. Also, she looks gorgeous. Photos of her will definitely go viral after the launch party!"Joey glanced at the script and began delivering her speech. She cut to the chase and explained the goal of the collaboration between Pixie and Emmen.Concluding her speech, she uttered, "Pixie shall bloom once more after a decade of legacy. Please look forward to it."Then, the light on the stage dimmed."Ahhhh! Bring her back. I want to see my crush again.""Ugh, Chloe is a bombshell! She can be both the withdrawn beaut
Joey was stumped by his question. She let go of his tie. Noticing the crumpled state of the clothing article, she ordered, "Tidy yourself up now."Zachary adjusted and brushed his tie with his slender fingers, adding, "You haven't answered my question.""I don't owe you any answers." Then, she went back into the venue."I can never get a genuine answer from you," uttered Zachary behind her. "I don't understand. Is it that difficult to answer my question?"Not wanting to entertain him, Joey continued to walk away. "I won't feel guilty or happy about it. Just marry her."Then, she disappeared into the event hall.Zachary stood in the same spot and thought about the whole interaction. He knew that Joey was angry. But whether that was jealousy… He had no idea.When Joey returned to the launch party, she was still slightly annoyed as she switched on her earbuds. Harrison's voice immediately appeared over the intercom."Where were you? You didn't respond when I called you just now."
Pixie's online store was updated at midnight. There were items ranging from less than 100 dollars to more than ten thousand dollars.Needless to say, the more expensive it was, the better the quality. After all, good fabrics were pricey.It went viral on the internet because a lot of people were buying them."Wow! I can't believe Pixie will sell beautiful clothes that cost less than 100 dollars! I failed to get anything. Just which one of you took my luck?""Honestly, I want the expensive ones because they are so beautiful. However, I'm too poor to buy one. Does anyone want to donate some money to me? I want to wear some new and pretty dresses.""The ones that cost several hundred dollars are not too bad. Also, did you notice that the sizes from other boutiques are getting smaller and smaller because being a Barbie is the new beauty standard?"But that's not the case here in Pixie. They have ordinary sizes and even used plus-size models in their advertisements!""I noticed that,
Joey looked at Monica, who got up and sat next to her on the bed. Then, she patted Joey's head. "You weren't being yourself either when you were with him."Like with your ash blond hair here, you are sharp, brilliant, and confident. But in front of him, you were meek and docile. Why? Was it because he preferred someone like that?""I know he doesn't like me because he was forced to marry me. Therefore, I tried to be nicer to not annoy him." Joey continued, "Did I make a mistake?""I don't know. But something must have gone wrong, because the divorce gave you two so many grievances, yet you two kept looking back reluctantly to the good, old times."Just be yourself before your loved ones. There's no need to hide anything," consoled Monica.Joey was still upset. She snuggled into Monica's arms and uttered, "Zachary and Yvonne are getting married. It bothers me a lot, but I know I don't have the right to tell him to do anything.""Is he doing this for Selena?" asked Monica. She wasn
"You made him jump off a building! Do you want me and my son to die before you, too?" confronted Fiona maniacally with her son.Joey was heading to a meeting and was annoyed that Fiona got in her way."Igor embezzled 30 million dollars in total. He helped those senior members who had fled overseas commit tax evasion worth up to 100 million dollars."Meanwhile, he used the money he illegally obtained to buy a mansion here worth tens of millions of dollars."He is dead now, but I am gracious enough not to hold you and the house under your name liable. Yet, you're here saying it's all my fault?"Joey then walked around them and left.Fiona shrieked and pushed her son away. She brandished a knife and began charging at Joey.Henry kicked Fiona away and pulled Joey behind him to protect her. Joey's heart was seized by fear.Fiona screamed and began insulting, "You killed Igor. Do you think I want that house? I have to pay a five-figure mortgage every month. I'm just a single mother.
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