The night was thick and dark, with heavy clouds obscuring the moon. Joanna Kennedy had not stayed put in the villa.

She told Simon Lockwood she wanted to go back to her dorm to get something. Perhaps because he had plans for the evening, he simply gave her a look and agreed.

After many days, Joanna was finally back in her dorm. As before, only Wendy Campbell was there. Wendy, having just finished blow-drying her hair, looked up in surprise. "You’re back?"

"Yeah." Joanna nodded, her gaze sweeping over to Charlotte Underwood’s bed, which was completely empty.

’She’s gone?’ Joanna was annoyed. She had been hoping to give Charlotte a piece of her mind.

Joanna asked, "She moved out?"

Wendy’s eyes widened slightly. "You didn’t know? Charlotte Underwood took on a private commercial deal in breach of her contract, so the company terminated it."

’Her contract was terminated?’

Joanna was a little surprised. "I really didn’t know that."

"The company used to turn a blind eye to this sort of thing. I don’t know what’s different this time. Maybe the new boss couldn’t stand it and decided to make an example of her."

Joanna said nothing, a flicker in her eyes.

She opened her wardrobe, reached into the pocket of a coat inside, and felt around. Her fingers touched a cool, chain-like object, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile.

Ever since Charlotte had taken it once before, she had moved the bracelet to a new hiding spot.

Joanna took out the bracelet, carefully held it against her wrist, but ultimately decided not to wear it.

Wendy, who had been watching her silently, suddenly smiled. "That’s a pretty bracelet. If you like it so much, why don’t you wear it?"

Although Wendy tried her best to sound casual, Joanna keenly detected the probing nature of her question.

Joanna put the bracelet away and replied with a placid expression, "I’m afraid of losing it."

"Hahaha, that’s true," Wendy said, not giving up. She pressed on, "It must be from someone important, right? Your boyfriend?"

Wendy Campbell was a very considerate person, a people-pleaser, and she was actually quite popular in the industry. She had been nice to Joanna from the very beginning.

But for some reason, Joanna just couldn’t bring herself to get close to her.

It really is a strange thing, how some people’s personalities just don’t click. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Joanna put on a smile. "I heard you were chosen as the spokesperson for Orchidess’s skincare line. Congratulations."

Orchidess was a domestic brand that had become popular in recent years. Not long ago, they had been in talks with Charlotte Underwood; they were just short of signing the contract.

But as soon as Charlotte got into trouble, Wendy Campbell swooped in and landed the endorsement.

Sure enough, Wendy looked uncomfortable for a moment, but she was more composed than Charlotte. She quickly recovered her gentle smile. "Thank you."

’In the end, this is just how the entertainment industry is. There’s very little genuine sincerity and a whole lot of hypocrisy and flattery.’ She didn’t pass judgment on Wendy’s actions.

A black car was parked discreetly downstairs from the company building. A bodyguard got out and opened the door.

Joanna slid into the back seat.

"Miss Kennedy, would you like to go anywhere else, or shall we head back now?" the bodyguard asked.

The housekeeper was taking care of her kitten, so it didn’t seem to make a difference whether she went back early or late.

Besides, aside from her, the only other person at the villa was the housekeeper.

Joanna gazed out the car window. "I’d like to get some dinner before heading back."

"Understood."

The bodyguard was all business, driving to a bustling commercial street. The roads were crowded with people, making it difficult for the car to pass.

Joanna said, "I’ll get out and walk around. This area is full of restaurants. I’ll call you after I’m done eating, and you can come pick me up then."

The bodyguard looked troubled. "Sir instructed me to stay with you."

"He’s not here, is he? Besides, I’m just going to grab a bite. I’m not going to wander off." Seeing him waver, Joanna came up with an idea. "Give me your phone number. I’ll text you when I’m done, and you can come get me. Simple, right?"

It sounded like a plan with no hidden dangers. The bodyguard nodded, watching as Joanna saved his number in her phone before he finally left.

The bodyguard didn’t actually leave, however. He just found a nearby parking lot.

Joanna wasn’t concerned about where he went. As long as he wasn’t tailing her every step, she was fine.

After passing through the bustling commercial street, she reached the food street. It was the most crowded area, packed with students, couples, and people out for a stroll. It was so dense you could barely move.

Joanna didn’t go there, choosing instead a Chinese restaurant with decent ratings.

The atmosphere was quiet. The tables were separated by trellises with flowers, giving it a very private feel.

It was peak dinner time, and the place was full. Joanna adjusted her mask and hat and sat down at a table near the back.

She simply ordered some millet and pumpkin congee, stir-fried green beans, and boiled beef slices, then sat back and played on her phone.

To her surprise, she saw another message from Mr. Grant. It said that the mental patient had been institutionalized and that she shouldn’t worry.

Joanna stared at the message, stunned for a moment.

The message had been sent in the middle of last night.

Then he had indirectly asked how she was doing living at Simon Lockwood’s villa.

Joanna now had a good idea of just how gossipy this big boss was. She sent a perfunctory, two-word reply: "It’s fine."

He must have been busy, as he didn’t reply immediately.

Joanna looked out the window, her feelings a complex tangle.

’The person has been caught. The crisis is over. But Simon Lockwood never told me. If Sean Grant hadn’t messaged me, I still wouldn’t know.’

’Why didn’t Simon say anything? Why does he still have a bodyguard following me?’

’I don’t understand what Simon Lockwood is thinking at all...’

Joanna was lost in her thoughts when the sound of an argument from the next table pulled her out of her daze.

Through the trellis, she couldn’t see the people at the next table, only hear the deliberately lowered voices of their argument.

A man’s voice, full of impatience, and a woman’s voice, angry and hurt.

When Joanna heard the familiar female voice, her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly.

The voice was all too familiar. Six years ago, over the phone, that same voice had suppressed its anger to question her: "Joanna Kennedy, I’ll ask you one last time, where in the world did you run off to?"

"..."

"Say something! You won’t even tell me. Do you even consider me your friend?!"

Six years ago, Joanna had stood on a beach, letting the seawater soak the cuffs of her pants. "...Anna, can you promise not to tell anyone else?"

They both knew exactly who "anyone else" referred to.

Joanna sighed. "You can’t promise."

On the other end, Anna Yates’s voice trembled. "Is that what you think of me?"

Joanna didn’t speak; she didn’t know what to say. Two seconds later, Anna Yates hung up the phone.

For the next few days, the two didn’t speak. Then Simon Lockwood went abroad, and Joanna’s phone was stolen, causing her to lose contact with everyone.

Later, she returned to Aethelburg and became an actress. After gaining some small fame, the first endorsement deal she landed was for the Yates Company’s line of sun-protective clothing.

But then, after seeing her photo, they suddenly dropped her without any explanation.

Joanna had a vague idea why. She just felt it was a shame.

Not a shame about the endorsement, but a shame for a youthful friendship that could never be reclaimed.

The argument grew louder. A man’s angry voice snapped, "Think whatever you want!" before he stormed off.

A few seconds later, Joanna heard the faint sound of a woman crying from the next table.