Jovan was leaning against the doorway of the eting room at the ti, waiting for Joanna. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a lazy smirk was plastered on his handso face. "Hey now, chairman, you sure hid your secret well. You never fail to impress !"
"It was my major for my degree and masters. I never really hid anything, it’s just that you just don’t know well enough," Joanna said coolly as she eyed the docunt in her hand, running her fingers through her silky hair. Her deanor was nonchalant, but her charm shone through regardless.
The woman was the epito of beauty and brains, and she had masked her true self by becoming a gentle housewife back then. Once the mask was off, she could easily make a na for herself.
"Right, right, I never understood you, nor did Ace. He was such a useless husband... to think that he doesn’t know a thing about you! He deserved whatever karma you just gave him!" Jovan had been watching the livestream outside of the conference hall, and was impressed by how strong and tenacious Joanna was.
Seeing Ace’s embarrassnt on screen had given Jovan quite a laugh. He had never felt so happy before, as if he had been the cause for Ace’s humiliation.
"Stop gloating, I didn’t humiliate him at all. I... I just embarrassed myself." Joanna gave a deep sigh, feeling like an absolute failure for the first ti ever. She felt even worse than when she had been heartbroken by Ace’s betrayal.
Four years ago, she had just been a useless, rich housewife, so she figured it was reasonable that he didn’t want to be with her. However, she had just shown him how capable she was, and the man had rejected her regardless, which was a jab to her pride.
"Jovan, be honest with – am I that bad? Why is he so willing to just... give up on ?" The woman looked up unsurely, trying to hold back tears. She had never doubted herself like this in the past.
Jovan’s signature playful expression shifted slightly, and he lowered his voice gently, "You’re not bad, he’s just blind. He may not be able to see your greatness, but that doesn’t an you should ever doubt yourself."
"No way though. No matter how blind he is, he wouldn’t pass on a life of luxury, right? Anyone with a brain would choose KCL over the Murphys, wouldn’t they?" Joanna looked at Jovan imploringly.
"Well, then maybe he’s blind and dumb." Jovan shrugged.
"Impossible!" Joanna was certain. "You can say he’s blind, but he’s definitely not stupid..."
"Then maybe it really is true love between them... Oh, just stop overthinking it! Since we’ve won, we should go celebrate! Would you like so hotpot? Or sushi?" Jovan said enthusiastically as he dragged her out of the hotel, desperately trying to change the topic.
"Anything’s fine," Joanna replied blankly. She was staring into space the entire journey, her mind deep inside the little world she created in her head. It was as if she had co to a dead end, unable to escape no matter how much she tried.
Jovan soon brought her to a famous hotpot restaurant nearby. They were known for their fresh ingredients, along with their cheap prices. Hence, the humble little place was packed most of the ti.
"Scarlet, a table for two please! And I’d like the usual." The man greeted the boss warmly, making it obvious that he was a regular here.
"Oh my, Van! When did you co back? It’s been so long since you visited us. Sam has been missing you a lot too..." Scarlet had been busy with the restaurant, but the mont she saw Jovan, her expression brightened. She turned around and shouted, "Hubby, co here right now! Your little Van is finally back!"
"What?! Van is back? This is great! I have to have a drink with him tonight!" A middle-aged man ran out of the kitchen quickly. His oily hands grabbed Jovan’s, and he was beaming happily.
"Haha, I’m not drinking this ti. I’d just like to have so of your delicious hotpot with my friend here to cheer her up, you know?"
It was rare to see Jovan being friendly with other people.
"Ah, this is..." Scarlet and Sam looked at Joanna, then turned back to Jovan with knowing smiles. "Oh Van, you’ve finally settled down. We’re so happy for you!"
"You sure are pretty, girl! No wonder you captured his heart! You’re the only one Van has ever brought here!"
"Our hotpot restaurant is Van’s secret hideout, and he always says that so good hotpot is all you need to solve any problems in life! We hope you’ll be happier after having so of ours today!"
Jovan had always behaved like a madman with absolutely no boundaries, but today, he was as bashful as a young teen in love as he brushed Scarlet and Sam off. "You guys, stop being so nosy! You should get back to work!"
Jovan and Joanna headed over to a table next to a window and sat down. The woman was still quite depressed, and she rested her head in her hands, her eyes gloomy.
"Alright, chairman, don’t be so sad. You fought and won beautifully, so let’s have a drink." Jovan opened up two beer bottles and poured them into two large glasses, then clinked the woman’s glass.
"I’m not sad, I’m just confused..." Joanna took a sip with a dejected look, frowning. "I just don’t understand why Ace changed so suddenly. How can he be willing to choose Murphy and put Moran Group at risk?"
Jovan’s expression turned cold. "What is there to understand? I told you, it’s true love."
"If it really is true love, shouldn’t they have been dating long ago? They didn’t have to wait till now. I think Ace and Murphy must have made so kind of deal, and they’re hiding it from ."
"So what if that’s the case?" Jovan chuckled frostily. "No matter what the reason is, he still chose to hurt you. That’s unforgivable in itself."
"What if he was just trying to protect ?" Joanna hit the nail on the head, and Jovan stayed silent.
"See? I’m right! He only hurt because he wants to protect !" Joanna chirped, her gloominess replaced with joy.
She then tried to get more information out of Jovan. "You must know sothing, right? Can’t you tell ?"
"I don’t know anything, so stop asking." Jovan scowled, focusing on his al instead.
Scarlet then brought them another plate of fresh, thinly sliced at. Cooking the at in the hot broth, then dipping it into so sauce made it an absolute delicacy.
The man was quite frustrated, but... ’So good hotpot is all you need to solve any problems in life! If I’m still unhappy after this plate of at, I’ll just order so more!’
"Jovan, don’t just eat! You must know sothing, so please tell !" Joanna grabbed the man’s wrist, pleading.
Jovan stared at Joanna’s hand, not saying anything for a few minutes. After that, he said cryptically, "That’s right, I do know all about it."
After all, he didn’t just know the entire story, he was the one behind all of it.
"Really? Tell ! Tell now!" Joanna exclaid excitedly.
"I can tell you, but you’ll have to promise sothing first..." Jovan started grinning as if he were the devil himself.
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