Even if it was just banter, the word "child" sounded harsh.Joey had always disliked discussions about children. Even when Zachary brought it up, she felt aggrieved. He had never considered having children, yet his words managed to sting her.A brief furrow creased her brow but swiftly smoothed out. She addressed him with an unusually gentle tone, "You know Selena never met you. I lost the design draft, and you returned it to me. I'm certain you recall the dirt marks on them."He nodded slightly but questioned, "Are you certain we should be having this conversation like this?"The atmosphere had grown too tense, and their interactions felt overly intimate. Although they had various ways to address issues, this was the first time they had resorted to this approach.Joey hesitated. "I'll step outside and check things out."She brushed against Zachary's body. With a subtle movement, he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Let's talk like this." His voice was raspy, yet his express
At 3:00 pm, the program team announced that there would be three hours of recreation time, which would also be broadcast live. Joey's eyes lit up when she heard the announcement. She had been racking her brains for a way to get closer to Zachary.Under Selena's eager anticipation, she changed into a loose white t-shirt and a run-of-the-mill pair of bleached skinny jeans that framed her long and slender legs. Such an outfit was very unattractive in the eyes of a fashion designer. "Is that it? I thought you would pull out all the stops to sweep Kent off his feet." Selena's eyes widened with disbelief at Joey's outfit.Joey quietly grumbled that she was dressed to impress Zachary, not Kent.Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Joey immediately spotted Zachary seated beside Kent. Notably, Zachary's expression was indifferent, as though the tea party held little interest for him.Kent's eyes lit up at the sight of Joey. He whispered to Zachary, "You were gone for an hour after lunch.
Joey got Zachary a bottle of soda and uncapped it. Then, she placed it next to her drink.Next to her, Selena gently tickled her hand.Joey didn't turn to look at her, but she discreetly opened her palm for Selena to write on.Selena wrote, "Don't just get him sodas when so many drinks are available. That's the cheapest brand of soda on the show. They're only here as a sort of filler."Only then did Joey realize that the products on the live broadcast were all a subtle form of product placement. The rumors surrounding Zachary and Julia were already generating a great deal of attention. The program team gave them more camera time to create buzz around the show. Therefore, Joey holding a make-do soda wasted a great advertising opportunity.That being said, she remembered Zachary's preferences. He liked soda water and nothing else.After mulling it over, Joey moved her bottle of mineral water, which she had taken a sip from, further away. Then, she grabbed an energy drink and unca
Kent couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "You certainly know how to ask questions." Enjoying the spectacle, he shot a look at Zachary. Kent's eyes were filled with amusement.Zachary leaned back in his chair and turned his head slightly, fixing his gaze upon Joey's face. His expression seemed casual, but his jaw was tense. It was hard to tell whether he was curious or indifferent about her answer.Joey's ears and neck turned pink. She hadn't expected Julia to ask such questions in front of the camera during a live broadcast. After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "Can you ask a different question?"Everyone was observing her nervously. Upon hearing her question, they collectively exhaled a sigh of relief. They exchanged glances that seemed to communicate a different message to the camera.Julia's eyes looked determined, but she sounded affectionate. "If you don't want to answer my question, you can always choose to drink instead. It's not mandatory to answer."A male des
Joey responded with a soft hum.One of the live broadcast cameras followed Zachary and Joey as they walked away. After the pair entered the guest room, the camera stopped at the door instead of following them inside.These five minutes were private for both of them.Zachary closed the door and gently locked it before turning his head to look at Joey. Flushed from the alcohol, she had become heavily intoxicated. As he watched her, she moved closer to him. Grabbing his hand, she drawled, "Why were you so heartless?"Worried about being overheard, he dragged her to the couch near the window. "What were you trying to say?" His voice, typically lacking warmth, had unknowingly softened.Fueled by alcohol, Joey stared at the face in front of her. Her eyes were bright and teary. She expressed aggrievedly, "Don't you see that I genuinely need your help? I understand this is a show, and you're being impartial, but I really did lose the draft due to Julia's unexpected arrival."She pres
Zachary handed Joey to Selena with a natural gentleness devoid of deliberate pretence.It wasn't until Joey's weight pressed onto Selena that the realization hit her—Joey was genuinely drunk.In her heart, Selena prayed that Joey's drunken state wouldn't offend Zachary. Despite her concerns, she was polite. "Thank you, Mr. Gray, for taking care of my assistant."Zachary nodded. His gaze lingered on Joey's face momentarily before asking, "Can you manage?""Yes," Selena replied, smiling. A hint of surprise lingered in her heart. She quickly helped Joey up and left.The live chat was still buzzing with excitement."Zachary seems reluctant to let her go.""This is unbelievable! I can't believe they're pulling something like this on the show. I'm looking forward to it. Darn it, why isn't there a camera in that room?""Will Chloe stop at nothing for publicity? She can't get Zachary, so she lets her assistant go instead. Doesn't she know he has a girlfriend? Poor Julia. She's unlucky
How could Joey have done such a thing? It seemed Zachary hadn't asked her to kiss him but rather to confess whether she had feelings for him. How could this have happened?Joey lowered her head and ran her fingers through her hair. She decided that whenever she saw Zachary, she would hide in a corner. She would also keep her distance until he forgot about what she did.After the host's announcement, Joey excused herself to get some fresh air. Then, she left the hotel and left Selena behind. Joey sought solace in the cool breeze to soothe her racing heart and to cool down. She also gave herself a gentle slap on the face to restore her usual aloof demeanor before returning to the hotel.She convinced herself that what happened meant nothing. Perhaps she could admit that she was drunk. After all, she was ready to divorce Zachary and wasn't going to entertain any foolish thoughts.When she exited the elevator, she saw him waiting for her outside her hotel room. He stood by the door,
Joey hid in the garden, drafting her design. She quietly snuck back into her room when dusk fell. During this time, she had speculated a lot. However, she couldn't be sure if Zachary had switched out her design draft. Next was the final draft. Once the final draft was complete, it was time for the clothing manufacturing process. The tea party that was held every three days had started once again. Joey had just emerged from the effects of the last tea party. Surprisingly, the theme had changed this time. A group of people were dining at Sunshine Hall on the topmost level of the hotel. The tea party was about the art of drinking tea, and desserts. Joey and Selena had entered early. When they sat down, she whispered, "Zachary doesn't like desserts, so I don't think he'll be here." Right as she said that, Zachary and Kent appeared. As Kent entered, he greeted everyone with a smile. "Enjoy yourselves today. Do enjoy. Please help yourselves." Zachary walked to Joey's side a
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