There was a shrewd gleam in Joanna’s eyes, and it was obvious her mind was racing to make sense of all the information Yulia had given her.
"You can’t say that. Both the Moran and Pierce families were developing in the city and both families always helped each other. There weren’t any big conflicts of interest. Even if they beca distant because of your brother’s incident, they never ddled in each other’s business. I think that the Moran family’s rapid developnt was mainly caused by their own efforts."
"That’s true." Joanna’s gaze softened. "After all, the Moran family were the only ones who helped my family when they went bankrupt that year. Besides, Grandpa arranged a marriage between Ace and I because he believed that the Moran family were the only ones who could truly take care of . If they really were my parents’ murderers, Grandpa would have never let marry into the family."
Joanna did suspect the Moran family that year, but she quickly eliminated that option because of Ace’s grandfather. She chose to trust the Moran family unconditionally.
"So, forget about it. Stop dwelling on it. You’re having a very good life now, so there’s no need to keep bringing up the past. We should look ahead instead..." Yulia knew that she couldn’t change Joanna’s mind, but it didn’t stop her from trying.
Sotis the truth was a double-edged sword – though it could provide clarity, it could also bring one grief.
"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing." Joanna forced a smile onto her face.
She had to prepare herself to accept the truth, regardless of the consequences.
The coffee beans were almost ground. Joanna ticulously brewed a cup of coffee for Ace based on the temperature, richness, and sweetness that Ace was used to.
Ace was sitting in the garden. He was tapping his foot on the ground, seemingly impatient. When he heard footsteps behind him, he heaved a sigh of relief as if he was a child waiting for school to end.
"What took you so long?" He tried to sound casual, but the displeasure in his voice was clear. He had been waiting for her instead of that cup of coffee. He didn’t know when he had started to rely on her, but now, she made him feel safe.
"Don’t you know that good things co to those who wait? Of course, a good cup of coffee needs so ti to brew." She handed the steaming cup of coffee to him and said confidently, "I know you’ll love it."
"Are you that confident?" Ace was an extrely picky person, and did not think that the coffee she made would suit his taste. However, the second he took a sip, his eyes widened in shock. The familiar taste coated his tongue, and the fog in his head seed to disappear.
Incredulity dawned on him. "This coffee..."
"What do you think?" Joanna looked at the man eagerly.
"This is the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had. It reminds of... an old friend." Ace said softly, then closed his eyes and took another sip, savouring the smooth and rich flavour. Even though he was an extrely picky person, this cup of coffee was indeed impeccable. It was so perfect that he was sure he had beco addicted to it.
"That’s for sure. This is my masterpiece." Joanna grinned, lifting her chin proudly. She learned how to brew coffee for Ace’s sake. She beca more motivated when she saw how much he enjoyed it, and it made her feel that all her efforts were worthwhile.
Ace drank more coffee, and his muddled mind felt clearer. Scenes of a familiar woman flashed in his mind, but he could never see who she was. Whenever he tried, his head started to ache.
"Damn it!" Ace groaned, his eyebrows knit tightly as he rested his head in his hands. He looked pained, and a thin layer of sweat had appeared on his forehead.
"What’s wrong?" Joanna imdiately stepped forward and held his shoulders, asking in concern.
"I seem to have had this coffee before. It evoked so mories, but they were all so blurry... My head hurts so much. It’s so painful!" Ace’s head was spinning and his breathing was ragged. He felt so nauseous he almost threw up.
"Don’t... Stop thinking about it. Relax, and take deep breaths." Joanna panicked when she rembered what the doctor had said. She stroked his back gently, trying to make him relax.
Ace’s condition was very complicated. His brain had undergone major surgery, so he could not overwork it. If he forced himself to recall things, it could injure his brain, and could even lead to death.
Joanna had always been careful when she took care of him, and tried her best not to talk too much. He had been fine so far, but to her surprise, it had been that small cup of coffee that carried the biggest impact.
"Where did I have this kind of coffee?" Ace’s thin lips beca pale and his low voice was slightly shaky. Even though he was in deep pain, he held on and forced himself to recall those mories. "There’s always a blurry figure in my mind – a graceful and charming figure in the garden of Moran Villa... D*mn it! My head hurts!"
Suddenly, he was overwheld with rage. He clenched his fists and hit his head repeatedly, breathing heavily. "I’m a worthless piece of trash that can’t even use his own brain. What’s the point in living like this?!"
"No, stop that!" Joanna quickly pulled him into her embrace and shielded his head with her slender arms. Her heart ached for him, and she sobbed, "You’re hurt. It’s normal that you don’t rember things. As you recover, you’ll recall those mories, I promise. Don’t hurt yourself this way, or you might not be able to rember anything at all."
Ace finally beca quiet.
Joanna’s warm and sweet embrace was like a tranquilliser for him, and Ace gradually cald down. He was now nestled quietly in her arms like an injured kitten.
"Everyone will encounter setbacks no matter how strong they are. You’ve always led an easy life, so maybe these are so difficulties you’ll have to face. Don’t lose your cool, I promise you’ll get through this." Joanna patted his back gently as if she was coaxing Adie or Abby. Her gentle voice and sweet scent enveloped him like a soft breeze.
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