"Your food is ready, miss. Please enjoy." The waiter served the dishes, then went to the next table to ask what was wrong and if they needed any help.

From behind the flower trellis, the sound of a woman’s voice, struggling to remain calm, could be heard: "It’s nothing. We’d like the check, please."

The waiter didn’t press the issue. "Of course."

The waiter left.

After a rustling sound, a figure emerged from the next table. Joanna Kennedy lowered her head and sipped her porridge.

As the person walked past her, she kept her eyes downcast, her spoon stirring slowly through the warm millet porridge.

This Chinese restaurant was excellent. Joanna Kennedy had finished nearly the entire plate of kidney beans, and only a few slices of beef were left.

She didn’t message her bodyguard right away, deciding instead to take a walk along the commercial street to aid her digestion.

Just as she stepped out of the restaurant, she saw the woman standing not far away. She was wearing high heels, her tea-brown hair styled in large waves, looking exquisite and beautiful.

Joanna Kennedy paused. A few seconds later, she walked toward the woman. As she got closer, she offered a smile. "Anna, long time no see."

Anna Yates’s gaze lingered on her hat and mask for a moment. Showing no intention of reminiscing, she said coldly, "You’re not even famous. Why are you all bundled up like that?"

"...I have a lot of haters. Just being careful," Joanna Kennedy said with a self-deprecating smile.

Anna Yates frowned and shot her a glance. "For someone as heartless as you, it’s only normal to have a lot of haters. It just proves that people can see you for who you are."

Joanna Kennedy naturally picked up on her sarcasm and passive-aggressiveness, but she just pursed her lips and didn’t retort.

Seeing her look so pathetic, taking the scolding without a fight, made Anna Yates even angrier. "It’s only been a few years, and you’ve completely changed. Not only have you learned to eavesdrop, but you’ve also learned to swallow your pride and play the victim?"

"...I wasn’t eavesdropping." Joanna Kennedy sounded a bit helpless. "I only heard you and your... friend arguing. I didn’t hear what it was about."

"So what if you heard? I never said you couldn’t. How ridiculous."

Anna Yates was clearly just trying to pick a fight. Joanna Kennedy sighed. "Do you have to... talk like this?"

Unexpectedly, her words made Anna Yates explode. "What’s wrong with how I talk? Joanna Kennedy, do you think I actually want to talk to you?!"

"........."

After a long moment, Anna Yates seethed through clenched teeth, "I must be pathetic. Knowing I’m being ignored, yet I still have to come over and make a nuisance of myself. It was like this six years ago, and I still haven’t learned my lesson!"

"I thought you..." Joanna Kennedy didn’t get to finish her explanation before Anna Yates turned, got in her car, and sped off.

Joanna Kennedy, left with a face full of exhaust fumes: "........."

’And to think she’d assumed Anna Yates wanted nothing to do with her.’

Joanna Kennedy let out a slow sigh, feeling a knot of frustration in her chest.

Lost in thought, she wandered until she found herself near the quiet Riverbend area. Luxury cars occasionally drove by, but there were few people around.

Joanna Kennedy turned to head back, but a familiar voice suddenly froze her in place.

Simon Lockwood’s voice was cool and deep. "You’re too kind, Miss Bishop. It was my pleasure."

Joanna Kennedy wanted to leave, but she couldn’t move, staring blankly in the direction of the voice.

Under a streetlight at the entrance to Riverbend, a coolly handsome man in a black suit had his head slightly bowed. Across from him stood a woman in white high heels, her elegant, well-fitted, pale yellow dress accentuating her beautiful figure.

’Miss Bishop.’

The contact name immediately came to Joanna Kennedy’s mind.

Simon Lockwood seemed to sense something. He turned his head and his gaze met the dazed eyes of the girl not far away.

Joanna Kennedy never knew her eyesight was this good; she could actually see the brows on Simon Lockwood’s cold face gradually furrowing.

’He looks a little angry. Is he blaming me for interrupting his conversation with Miss Bishop?’

’Will Simon Lockwood think I followed him here on purpose?’

Joanna Kennedy’s heart ached. She wasn’t shameless enough to just stand here and watch them flirt.

Only after walking away from the Riverbend area did she let out a slow breath. Her mood for a walk was gone. She took out her phone and messaged her bodyguard.

The bodyguard was quick. A few minutes later, Joanna Kennedy saw the familiar black car.

Half an hour later, the car pulled into the villa.

Joanna Kennedy went upstairs, took out her suitcase, and started packing. She hadn’t brought much with her, so it didn’t take long to finish.

After packing, Joanna Kennedy sat on the carpet, staring blankly at the small night light on the bedside table.

It reminded her of the small night light that had also been on the bedside table in that little house in the old alley.

She closed her eyes for a moment, shaking off the inappropriate and unrealistic association, then stood up and walked into the bathroom.

Downstairs, Simon Lockwood had just parked the car. He got out and strode hastily toward the villa.

But when he reached the door, he stopped. His pace returned to normal as he scanned the living room, his brows knitted tightly together.

He started up the stairs. Halfway up, he heard a door open with a CLICK.

Joanna Kennedy, holding a small yellow cup, was about to go downstairs for water. She looked up and her gaze met Simon Lockwood’s cold, deep, dark eyes, freezing her on the spot.

Simon Lockwood’s gaze lingered on the small yellow cup for a few seconds, the darkness in his eyes swirling. Only when it subsided did he look back at her, his tone flat. "There’s a water cooler on the second floor."

"Oh..." Joanna Kennedy’s fingers gripping the small cup were a bit stiff. She took a deep breath and said, "I didn’t know there was one on the second floor. Getting it from the first floor is the same."

She had just showered. Her long hair, hastily towel-dried, let drops of water trickle down her fair, slender neck. The corners of her eyes and her cheeks were tinged a faint red from the steam. Her skin was fair, her eyes glistening.

Even from two meters away, Simon Lockwood could still smell the light, sweet fragrance on her from her shower, like a rose touched by a drop of morning dew. For a moment, his heart stirred.

Simon Lockwood’s eyes were dark and unreadable. His Adam’s apple bobbed twice, and his voice was inexplicably hoarse. "I’ll take you."

Joanna Kennedy wanted to say there was no need, but then felt it was pointless. ’After all, I’m only staying for tonight.’

Simon Lockwood held out his hand. As Joanna Kennedy passed the small yellow cup to him, she felt a little embarrassed and said, trying to cover it up, "This cup is pretty sturdy. It’s never broken."

’It’s not that I can’t bear to throw it away for some unspeakable reason. It’s just because it isn’t broken that I’m still using it.’

It was impossible to tell if Simon Lockwood understood her underlying meaning. He just gave a noncommittal "Mm."

The water was warm. Joanna Kennedy cupped the mug and took two sips, wondering if she should tell Simon Lockwood about her moving out now.

Simon Lockwood spoke first, his tone unreadable. "Why are you packing?"

Joanna Kennedy looked at him in surprise.

Simon Lockwood: "The door was open."

’He saw the suitcase.’

"......Oh."

’Since he’s already seen it, there’s no need to agonize over when to tell him.’ Joanna Kennedy pursed her lips. "I know that person has been caught, so there’s no danger anymore. Staying here is too much of a bother for you..."

A cold glint flashed in Simon Lockwood’s eyes. "Who told you that?"

Joanna Kennedy answered truthfully, "Boss Grant."

’That incompetent fool, Sean Grant. He only makes things worse.’

Simon Lockwood took a deep breath, as if trying his best to conceal his irritation. His tone was cold. "I already told you, it’s not a bother."

But Joanna Kennedy thought he was just being impatient and couldn’t help but snap back, "Is that how you talk to that Miss Bishop, too?"