Seeing this message, Joey couldn't help but inquire further.Joey: "Flaunting wealth?"Selena: "Yes. Elise said that the Fulham family's children get an annual allowance of five million until they start their businesses. But Elise seems to spend more than eight million each month."Oh, and in that fashion design game you were involved in, she spent nearly ten million in just one month."Thinking of what Zachary had said, Joey slowly typed, "Find out more details from Elise."After Selena agreed, Joey discussed this unusual situation with Zachary."Shane, check Angel's financial records.""Okay."While Shane made a call, Joey couldn't help but ask Zachary, "Do you think this could be a breakthrough?""It might be. Sometimes, gossip can be very useful," Zachary said with a smile."Back in the day, gossip was called intelligence gathering," Joey noted. Sometimes, listening to gossip was more effective than conducting investigations.Zachary nodded in agreement as the living roo
"No need, I can handle it myself." Joey didn't want her to interfere in her affairs.Rose stood by the door and stared at her with piercing eyes. "Are you still holding a grudge against me for what happened before? Do you think I'm a malicious old woman?"Joey fell silent.Rose's eyes turned red, and she spoke with a hint of self-pity, "I know I'm not worthy of you now, nor is Zac. As for the past, I don't even know why I acted the way I did…""Rose, in the past, you simply looked down on me and my grandmother. There's no need for explanations."Now, things are only different because I've succeeded in my work. In your mind, there's no longer that obedient granddaughter-in-law, only the glamorous me now," Joey said.She was very clear about Rose's current mindset.Rose had never treated the weak version of Joey kindly before. Now, as Rose tried to curry favor with the powerful version of her, Joey wondered if she should accept it.There was no need to.Rose looked at Joey and c
The reason why Joey worked so hard was so that she and Monica would never be looked down upon again."Thank you, Grandma." Joey held the milk and thanked Monica once again for her understanding.She wasn't like Eleanor, who forced Kenneth to marry someone who had wronged him for the sake of family harmony."Get some rest. Treat this as a vacation while you're here," Monica advised.Joey nodded again."How did Zac treat you today when you were out?" Monica couldn't help but ask."It was fine. Why?" Joey asked in a serious tone.Monica smiled and said, "Just curious. You two should get along well. I'll go back to my room now."After she left, Joey slowly drank the milk. Her gaze was distant, as if she were lost in thought.…Time passed slowly, and on the third day, Joey received a call from Hanson."Can you come back to Imperia?" Hanson's voice was urgent."What's the matter?" Joey asked coolly.Hanson was silent for a moment before saying, "Joey, there are some things we h
Upon hearing Harold's words, Joey couldn't help but think that sometimes, after going through so much, people would end up right back where they started."Thank you, Grandpa," Joey responded.Harold clapped and said loudly, "It's no big deal. You're only going back to hear an explanation."If they didn't abandon you, everything would be fine. If they did, we'd ignore them. They can't just take you back without any cost now that you're famous!""Exactly! They couldn't even protect a child!" Rose echoed. She wasn't sure if she was saying the right thing or if Joey would accept it, but it was all she could say.After composing herself, Joey set off for Imperia with Monica and Zachary.While Zachary had planned to stay hidden a bit longer, Joey's matter was more important.They arrived in Imperia and saw Hanson at the airport to pick them up.Joey appeared distant, but Selena hurriedly stepped forward to hold her hand. Monica also held Joey's hand and stayed close to her.Zachary
Shirley thought she had done it without anyone knowing, but Monica was deeply attached to Linton Ville and wanted it to develop better.So, during bad weather, she would count the number of tourists to ensure none were in danger, as any mishap would hinder the village's progress.Monica said as she held Joey's hand, "I saved Joey. Due to the lack of oxygen, she lost her most terrifying memory and forgot her past with the Fulham family, believing wholeheartedly that I was her grandmother."Poor child. Her grandfather and I never dared to reveal her past as we were afraid it would bring trouble. If it weren't for Hanson's search, we would have lived like this forever."Then, Monica suddenly turned to Shirley. "Shirley, it was you back then, wasn't it?"Shirley retorted, "You're lying! I think you two old geezers wanted to steal a child and now you're slandering me!""You don't have to admit it. It doesn't matter to us anymore. I just want to tell everyone what I saw," Monica said.
Brook looked at her and calmly answered, "Yes, I knew."There was nothing more to say.Vaughn released Emily, grabbed Brook by the collar, and punched him hard."You damn bastard, you didn't even spare a four-year-old child! Are you even human? What did I ever do to you? You scum!" Vaughn kicked Brook to the ground.Now it all made sense. Brook and Shirley brought Yvonne back and even had her harass Joey relentlessly, trying to eliminate Vaughn and Emily's daughter. They were utterly despicable.Emily was in tears. "What a misfortune for our family… How could I have a sister like this? How could she harm my daughter?"After crying, she clutched her chest and gasped for breath. Her face quickly turned pale.Zachary hurried forward to support her.Emily clutched her chest with her brows furrowed in pain. "It's my fault… It's my fault…"Before she could finish her words, she vomited a mouthful of blood.Vaughn rushed over to hold her. "Emily…"Emily's tears flowed uncontrollabl
Joey sobbed softly, like a bullied child.Zachary held her tightly and patted her back. "It's okay. I'm here with you."Joey let out a mournful cry from her throat.Seeing her distress, Vaughn raised his hand to cover his face while tears uncontrollably streamed down. He didn't know what he had done wrong for his family to take away and try to kill his beloved daughter.Elise ran over and hugged Vaughn, crying as well. "Uncle Vaughn, Joey is back. Everything will be fine."When Emily came out of the emergency room, she had already lost consciousness.Joey and Zachary stood up together. Her eyes were very red."What happened?" Vaughn asked the doctor."The patient had a ruptured blood vessel due to extreme emotional distress. It's not serious," the doctor replied.Joey unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, and Zachary squeezed her hand with his eyes full of reassurance.Vaughn's legs trembled, and he almost collapsed.Henry promptly supported him. "Are you alright?""I'm f
Zachary chuckled softly and sat beside Joey, looking at Emily lying on the bed.He said gently, "My parents passed away early, and my grandparents raised me. The year they left, I fell seriously ill both physically and psychologically."Joey bit on her straw without saying a word."People always say men don't cry easily, but at that time, I couldn't get over it. I cried every day like a girl," Zachary confessed after having long since forgotten the sadness of losing his parents.He once thought he would never get over it, but time was merciless. All emotions faded slowly over time.Joey looked at him. "What happened then?""After a month, I cried less. After a year, I hardly cried at all. Now, I've almost forgotten the heart-wrenching pain of that time. I only miss them occasionally," Zachary said before popping a strawberry into his mouth."Are you telling me this to remind me to cherish the present?" Joey's gaze was clear at this moment."Joey," Zachary called her name seriou
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