"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
"Grandma will always come first," Joey said softly and looked out the window.Her life was saved by Monica, and she would always be Monica's granddaughter.Zachary held her hand. "She's also my Grandma."Joey pulled her hand back. "I know you're trying to butter him up today. I saw through your schemes."Zachary blinked innocently. "Who are you talking about?""Stop pretending!" Joey wanted to pinch him."I was just moved by their behavior today. I want to be close to everyone who stands by your side," Zachary said, skillfully navigating the conversation.Joey snorted. "Don't keep touching me. I only cried on your shoulder today because I was sad. That doesn't mean I've accepted you!""So, I still need to work hard, right?" Zachary asked.Joey didn't answer him.When they got back to Emmen, Joey took a shower and went to rest.Meanwhile, Zachary lay on the office couch and pondered over Joey's words.She hadn't accepted him yet. Did that mean he could pursue her?This thou