Ch. 1481..1490
Chapter 1481
“I know why you decided to leave me. Why didn’t you tell me the first time we met?”
Larry caressed her face affectionately.
Having heard Larry’s words, Joan knew that she had to come clean with him.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at Larry and replied, “Larry, it’s time we clear the air. The reason I left
you then was because I had a tumor in my head that needed to be treated overseas. Furthermore, I
didn’t even know whether I could survive. To save you the pain, I told you that I was in love with
someone else, hoping that you would forget me.”
She continued, “After that, I traveled to A Nation and there was where I met Dustin. He was my doctor
then and treated me exceptionally well. His care and concern were both attentive and meticulous.
However, I only ever saw him as a good friend.”
Joan slowly immersed herself in her own memories.
“All these years, there was never a moment where I wasn’t thinking about you. However, I kept
reminding myself to forget you. Just when I finally buried you deep down in my heart, I ran into you
again only to find that your heart had been stolen by someone else.”
Pausing for a moment, Joan sneered at herself. So what if I still love him?
Although Larry was aware of most of what Joan told him, his heart still ached when he heard her say it
out loud.
However, he was also delighted that the reason she didn’t tell him the truth was that he already had a
girlfriend.
Holding that thought, Larry smiled. “You have always been the only one in my heart. Do you really think
I have a girlfriend?”
Stunned by his response, Joan asked doubtfully, “Isn’t Gabriella your girlfriend?”
Everything suddenly clicked for Larry. Joan must have assumed that Gabriella’s my girlfriend when I
pretended to be intimate with her.
“You foolish gal. How can she be my girlfriend? I was only faking it in front of you,” Larry explained with
a smile as he stroked her head affectionately.
“Really?” Joan asked, tilting her head. Her silly expression simply made her look adorable.
“Of course.”
Now that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Larry was overjoyed.
As for Joan, she giggled like a child when she found out the truth. Never in her dreams did she think
that it was all just a mistake.
“Do you blame me for hiding the fact that I’m leaving?” Joan asked with a serious expression.
“Of course I do!”
Larry’s expression changed as he glared at her. “When you decided to leave without telling me, did you
ever stop to consider my feelings?”
It seems he has yet to forgive me.
When she saw the look on Larry’s face, Joan’s buoyant mood was suddenly gone. She felt so
depressed that she was on the brink of tears.
Noticing the shift in mood and the disappointment on her face, Larry quickly cheered her up. “Since you
didn’t tell me you were leaving, your punishment will be to stay by my side forever!”
When she saw Larry’s mischievous expression, Joan wasn’t confused for once and quickly realized
that Larry was just teasing her.
“You scoundrel!”
She waved her fist at him and almost pounded him on his chest.
Beaming in response, Larry pulled her into his embrace.
Just like a kitten, Joan curled in his arms and relished in the warmth of his body. At that moment, she
was overwhelmed with a sense of bliss.
Larry, everything is perfect when you are by my side.
Joan whispered to herself.
As Larry’s injuries were minor, there was no need to stay overnight in the hospital. Hence, he was
discharged on that day itself.
Before long, his bodyguards arrived at the hospital and prepared to send him home.
After helping Larry into the car, Joan felt reluctant to see him leave. However, without any excuse to
stay back, she had no choice but to say goodbye.
“Larry, rest well at home. I’ll visit you when I’m ,” Joan remarked.
“Joan, I’ll likely have trouble moving around for the next few days due to my injuries. Can I trouble you
to take care of me?”
Chapter 1482
Reluctant to see Joan leave, Larry decisively came up with an excuse.
“Don’t you have a maid at home? Why do you need me to look after you?”
Joan felt ambivalent as she thought Larry was joking.
“No, I stay alone. There’s no one else at home,” Larry quickly replied.
“Really?” Joan was skeptical.
“Of course, why would I lie to you?”
Just as he spoke, he shot his bodyguard a glance.
As Caspian had been working for Larry for a long time, he recognized the cue at once and added, “Ms.
Watts, Mr. Norton has bought a new place where he is staying by himself.”
Larry gave him a satisfactory nod. Good job Caspian. I’ll definitely give you a raise after this.
“Aren’t you living with your boss to protect him? Don’t you consider yourself human?”
Joan’s candidness stumped Caspian. “Besides, even if you don’t have a maid, you still have your
bodyguard. Why must it have to be me?”
Larry laughed wryly as he wondered if Joan was playing dumb. Despite how obvious his intentions
were, she didn’t seem to get it.
Larry looked at Caspian again.
People like us will always have to sacrifice for the boss, huh…
Caspian sighed in his heart before adding. “To be honest, Ms. Watts, other than protecting Mr. Norton,
I’m not really good at anything else. Even for my own laundry, I have to send it out to the dry cleaners.
Hence, it’ll be better if you take care of Mr. Norton.”
“Oh, you really are useless, then,” Joan murmured softly to herself.
“Fine, I’ll take care of you for a few days.”
“Great.”
Overjoyed, Larry patted the glum-looking Caspian on his shoulder. “Come on then, let’s go now.”
In a short while, the car arrived in front of a villa.
“Come with me.”
As Caspian helped Larry into the villa, Joan followed closely behind them.
“Your house is really big and yet, you live alone?”
Joan was puzzled as it felt troublesome to do so.
But of course! Larry was proud of his quick thinking. On the way home, he had ordered everyone to
leave so that he could maintain the illusion.
After helping Larry to his bedroom, the bodyguard left, leaving Joan and Larry alone in the massive
villa.
“Joan, you should take a look around since you will be staying over for the next few days. Your room is
next to mine, so you can just call me if you need anything,” Larry explained to her.
Joan was still apprehensive about staying alone with Larry in his villa. But, she did agree to take care of
him and couldn’t bring herself to go back on her word.
Since I’m already here, I’ll just go along with it. Joan told herself.
The next few days, Larry enjoyed the meticulous attention that Joan showered on him. Under her
attentive care, Larry “recovered” very quickly.
In truth, there was nothing wrong with him and he could move his limbs just fine. He simply pretended
to have restricted mobility just so that he could be together with Joan.
“Time for dinner, Larry.”
As usual, Joan would bring the food into his bedroom.
“Feed me.”
Larry clung to Joan like a child. For the past few days, it had always been the same as he was reluctant
to part with her even for a single moment.
“Sure,” Joan replied helplessly.
Despite his clinginess, Joan seemed to enjoy every moment the two of them spent together.
Over the last few days, Larry and Joan’s affection for each other grew significantly. Although they never
reaffirmed their status as a couple, it was just a formality by now.
“Here, open up.”
Joan’s voice was gentle as if she was coaxing a child.
As Larry opened his mouth, his gaze was fixed upon her. The warmth emitted from his eyes felt as if it
could melt her heart.
Staring at Joan longingly, he observed her exquisite oval-shaped face, bright sparkling eyes, and
alluring lips. The serious expression she had while feeding him made him feel as though she had taken
root in his heart and no one else would be able to pull her away.
Chapter 1483
“Joan, be my girlfriend,” Larry mumbled.
“What did you say?”
Joan couldn’t hear properly because Larry’s voice was too soft.
“Be my girlfriend.”
Larry sat up straight and looked at her in all seriousness with passion in his eyes. “I love you and want
to be together with you forever. I want to laugh and cry with you as we watch the sunrise and sunset
together. Happiness to me simply means hugging you to sleep every night and see you the moment I’m
awake. Say yes and we will never be apart from each other ever again.”
Joan was overwhelmed with happiness at Larry’s confession. She had always dreamed about it but
never believed that it would become reality.
“Yes! I will be with you!”
Joan’s eyes were filled with tears of joy. “Being with you is the one thing that I desire the most in this
world.”
Hugging each other tightly, they relished in the truth of each other’s words.
After a while, Joan whispered in Larry’s ear in a bashful tone, “Larry, let me tell you a secret.”
“Hmm? What secret?” Larry asked softly. He was stroking her hair as she lay in his arms.
“I… I think I’m pregnant.”
Just as she spoke, she buried her face in Larry’s embrace.
“Oh, it’s good that you’re pregnant.” Larry didn’t grasp the full magnitude of the situation.
“Wait… What? You’re pregnant!”
Larry grabbed Joan’s shoulders in shock. “Is the child mine? I’m the father, right?”
When Joan saw that Larry wasn’t making any sense, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Who else can
it be if not you?”
Having heard Joan’s confirmation, Larry burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha, I didn’t expect to not only have a new girlfriend today but also a child. This is really a joyous
case of ‘buy one get one !’“
Joan wondered if Larry had gone crazy as his ramblings made no sense at all.
“Joan, I love you.”
Larry was so ecstatic that he swept her off her feet and whirled her around in his arms.
Joan exclaimed in surprise but quickly realized something was wrong. “Larry, aren’t you supposed to
have trouble moving? How are you able to prance around like that?”
Larry gasped at his mistake. He had forgotten about his charade in the midst of his joy.
“Ouch, it hurts! My arm!” Larry pretended to moan in pain.
“You scoundrel! You can drop the act now!”
Joan was infuriated. She had been puzzled as to why Larry was taking such a long time to recover
when the doctor told her that he only suffered minor injuries. She now realized that it was a hoax all
along.
“I’m going to kill you!”
“Please have mercy!”
As both of them argued affectionately, the air was filled with bliss.
“Enough, enough, let’s take a break,” Larry said to Joan with a smile as both of them were tired.
Only then did Joan bother to stop her exacting her revenge.
“Joan,” Larry whispered into her ear as he pulled her into his embrace.
“Hmm?”
She felt her pulse race the moment his warm breath brushed across her ear, causing her to blush.
“Since you’re now my girlfriend and carrying my child. It’s time I take you to see my parents.”
“Isn’t that too hasty?”
Joan was shocked. “I’m still not ready yet.”
Are you kidding me? I haven’t even prepared anything. How do you expect me to see your parents just
like that?
What if I get on their nerves? It will all be my fault!
Holding that thought, Joan suddenly realized that they had to think through the matter carefully.
Despite her concerns, Larry didn’t seem to think they were warranted.
“It’ll be fine. My parents are easygoing people and won’t mind at all. After all, we will be a family soon.
All you need is to just be yourself.”
“No! No! Definitely not!”
Joan shook her head vehemently, “I must get myself ready before I meet them.”
Given Joan’s response, Larry had no choice but to agree. At the same time, he was secretly delighted
at how seriously Joan took the matter.
Chapter 1484
Without any delay, Joan grabbed Larry as they headed out together.
Their first stop was a clothing store where Joan bought some new clothes.
As most of her clothes were for casual occasions, she figured she needed something proper for such a
momentous occasion.
“Larry, what do you think of this?” Joan asked as she emerged from the changing room.
“Looks good,” Larry responded.
“How about this one?”
“Not bad.”
“What about this?”
“Looks good on you too.”
Joan tried out many different outfits while Larry patiently waited to provide his objective opinion.
“Hey, can you treat this more seriously?”
Joan grumbled, “Don’t just keep saying that it looks good. You have to provide more constructive
suggestions.”
“But they really do look good.”
Larry wasn’t lying at all. Given Joan’s exquisite features and curves at all the right places, she could
easily carry anything she wore.
“In that case, just pick one for me, then.”
Joan insisted on Larry choosing for her.
“That’s easy. Miss, please pack everything up. I’m taking all of them.”
With a wave of his hand, he handed his card to the sales attendant and bought everything.
“Of course, Sir. Please wait for a moment.”
The sales attendant was ecstatic as she was able to achieve two months’ worth of sales in one go.
“Larry! That’s too much. I won’t have the chance to wear them all.”
Joan quickly stopped him.
“Don’t worry, you look good in all of them. Besides, I’m the president of Norton Corporation while you
are my girlfriend. There’s nothing wrong with you splurging on some clothes.”
It didn’t bother Larry at all as he just wanted to buy her whatever she desired.
Given how persistent Larry was, Joan relented and felt pampered at the same time.
“Sir, your clothes are ready for pick up. Here’s your receipt.”
The sales attendant politely handed over Larry’s card and receipt while giving Joan an envious look. I
would willingly give up twenty years of my life just to have a boyfriend like that.
“Let’s go. Anyway, you look great in that outfit. So, just leave it on,” Larry commented with a smile while
holding Joan by her waist.
“Alright,” Joan acknowledged submissively. After all, she had to admit that she did indeed look great in
her current outfit.
Holding Larry’s arm, Joan left the store under the envious stares of the sales attendants.
“Shall we buy some gifts for your parents?” Joan asked for Larry’s opinion.
“Sure.”
He obviously had no issues about it. As both of them chatted cheerfully while walking down the street,
their bodyguard, Caspian, had his hands full with shopping bags and a glum expression on.
“Shouldn’t the boyfriend be doing this? Why am I carrying the bags?” Caspian’s grumbles were
unfortunately heard by Larry.
“What did you just say? If you are upset about something, please don’t keep it to yourself.” Larry glared
at Caspian.
“No, it’s nothing. I’m not upset about anything.” Caspian was so stressed that he almost burst into
tears.
“That’s more like it,” Larry remarked smugly, causing Joan to giggle aloud.
Joan was struggling to decide on what to buy for Larry’s parents. Finally, based on Larry’s suggestion,
she bought a box of premium exotic tea and some health supplements for Larry’s mom.
When Larry was about to pay, Joan stopped him and insisted to do so instead.
“This is the first time I’m buying gifts for your parents. So, I must pay for them myself,” Joan explained
to which Larry agreed.
Despite the fact that both items would cost her a lot, Joan didn’t feel reluctant at all. Instead, she was
overjoyed at the opportunity.
When Larry noticed how sincere she was toward his family, he swore to himself that he would treasure
her for the rest of their lives.
After buying the gifts, both of them got into the car and headed for the Norton Residence.
“Larry, do you think your parents will like me?”
Along the way, Joan agonized over the question. She was so stressed that her palms were sweating
profusely.
Chapter 1485
“Don’t worry Joan, my parents will definitely love you,” Larry reassured her while stroking her hand.
“Really? In that case, do I look presentable today? Is there anything wrong with how I look?” Joan
asked again.
She was wearing a fitting, white full-length dress. Her flawless fair skin, slender neck, and delightful
makeup accentuated her exquisite features, making her a stunning sight to behold.
“Don’t worry. You look gorgeous today,” Larry replied with conviction as he looked at Joan.
In my heart, you will always be the most beautiful, Larry whispered in his mind.
While they were still chatting, the car finally came to a stop.
Larry patted Joan’s hands. “Come on, time to get down.”
That’s fast! Just when Joan had managed to calm herself, her pulse began to race again.
Noticing her anxiety, Larry beamed at her. “Don’t worry. Once you meet them, you will know how
friendly they are.”
Larry’s words had a mysterious way of calming Joan. Just by looking at him, her racing heart rate
began to slow down.
Hand in hand, they stepped into the Norton residence.
“Let’s go, it’s time to meet your in-laws,” Larry remarked with a laugh.
“You’re making me nervous!”
Feeling annoyed, Joan rolled her eyes at him.
Larry’s joke had caused the last of her anxiety to melt away. Holding onto his hand tightly, Joan was
filled with anticipation as they walked into the living room.
There, Larry’s parents were seated and having tea.
“Mom, Dad, I’m home.”
He led Joan toward them.
“Welcome home, son.”
When she heard his voice, Vivian put down her cup and look in Larry’s direction.
When she saw a beautiful and elegant girl beside him, she was stunned. She asked thoughtfully, “Son,
who is this you have brought with you?”
Despite not saying a word, Finnick was quietly scrutinizing Joan. Is she Larry’s girlfriend?
“Mom, Dad, let me introduce her. This is my girlfriend, Joan Watts.”
Just as he spoke, he looked at Joan. “Joan, these are my parents.”
“Hello, Mr. Norton, Mrs. Norton.”
Although Joan felt nervous when she met Larry’s parents, she didn’t forget her manners and greeted
both of them with a sweet voice.
“Hello.”
Vivian was so ecstatic to see Larry’s girlfriend that she sprang to her feet. “Joan, come closer. Let me
take a closer look at you.”
The last of Joan’s nervousness faded away when she heard Vivian’s warm tone. Walking up to her
confidently, Joan remarked with a smile, “Mrs. Norton, I have heard a lot about you from Larry.
Especially about how stunning you are.”
Delighted by Joan’s words, Vivian held her hand warmly. “You sure know how to flatter me. Look at
how beautiful you are, Larry must be really lucky to have found a girlfriend like you.”
“Mom, I’m not that bad, alright. Joan and I aren’t even married yet and you’re already siding with her.
What’s going to happen when we do?”
Larry was overjoyed to see how well Joan was getting along with Vivian. It was obvious to him that
Vivian was happy with her.
“Joan, did Larry ever bully you? He has always been spoilt by us. So, if he does, you have to tell me
and I will definitely punish him.”
Vivian reminded Joan as she was worried that Larry didn’t treat her well enough.
“Mrs. Norton, don’t worry. Larry has been very good to me,” Joan replied at once. She, too, had a good
impression of her future mother-in-law whom she found to be down to earth.
“That’s good. That’s good.”
Vivian shot Finnick a glance as he had yet to say a word throughout. “Hey, Finnick, why haven’t you
said anything? Your son has brought his girlfriend home.”
Finnick returned her glance helplessly. “You have been talking non-stop since just now. I had no
chance to get a word in at all.”
Chapter 1486
Just as Finnick spoke, he looked at Joan. “Joan, next time, come by our place whenever you are .
Since Larry is staying by himself outside, you can remind him to come home more often.”
“I understand, Mr. Norton. I definitely will,” Joan replied with a smile.
“Vivian and I have never interfered in Larry’s relationships. As you are the first girl he has brought
home, it must mean that he fancies you a lot. We are equally happy to meet you too. Both of you
should try your best to be happy together and take care of each other,” Finnick advised in a serious
manner.
As his words resonated with Joan’s feelings, she replied immediately, “We will try our best to be happy.
Don’t worry, Mr. Norton.”
After that, Joan chatted with Vivian about random topics while Larry talked to Finnick about other
matters. Before they knew it, night had already fallen.
When it was time for dinner, Vivian invited Joan to sit beside her. After that, she took a bracelet off her
wrist.
“Joan, this bracelet used to belong to Larry’s grandma. In other words, my mother-in-law handed it to
me. And now, I’m giving it to you. Both you and Larry must strive to always be happy. Whatever
problems you may encounter, you have to face them together, alright?”
Joan was surprised at how warm Vivian was to her. She didn’t expect Vivian to shower her with such
attention on their very first meeting, to the extent of giving her a family heirloom.
She quickly stood up and replied, “Mrs. Norton, this gift is simply too valuable for me to accept. Larry
and I will be happy together. But this is something I don’t deserve to have yet.”
“As long as I say you deserve it then you do.”
Vivian had expected Joan to refuse. “Joan, it’s obvious to me that both of you love each other dearly.
It’s just a matter of time before the two of you are married. With that in mind, there’s nothing wrong with
me giving this to you ahead of time. Besides, are you really going to turn down the first present I’m
giving you?”
“But…”
Before Joan could say anything further, Larry interrupted. “Joan, just take it. My mom really likes you. If
you refuse, you will only upset her.”
After giving it much consideration, Joan finally accepted the bracelet with both her hands. “Mr. Norton,
Mrs. Norton, I will treasure this bracelet more than my own life. And I will also do my best to protect the
relationship I share with Larry so that you will not be disappointed.”
“That’s the spirit!”
Vivian laughed in delight while Finnick let out a gratified smile.
“Don’t just stand there, sit down and eat,” Finnick reminded.
With that, the whole family happily enjoyed a scrumptious dinner together.
As it was getting late after dinner, Larry took his leave. “Dad, Mom, we have to go now. I need to send
Joan home.”
“Are you leaving already?”
Vivian was reluctant for them to leave. But she knew it wasn’t the right time to invite Joan to stay over.
Hence, she had no choice but to reply, “Send her home safely, then. Joan, whenever you are , you are
welcome to visit us. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
“Mrs. Norton, I will definitely drop by often. But for today, I have to go off first.”
After that, she turned toward Finnick. “Goodbye, Mr. Norton.”
After bidding their farewells, Joan held onto Larry’s arm and left together.
The moment she stepped out the front door, Joan heaved a sigh of relief. Beaming in joy, she
remarked, “Larry, I didn’t expect your parents to be such wonderful people. I’m just so happy!”
Tenderly helping Joan tidy up her hair, Larry replied in a gentle tone, “Of course, I told you that they
were easygoing and warm. You were the one who overreacted out of fear.”
“I wasn’t afraid at all! I knew that they would definitely like me because I’m just too adorable!” Joan
insisted.
Obviously, she would never admit that she was scared.
When he saw how she shamelessly declared her cuteness, he simply found her irresistible and pulled
her in to kiss her cheeks. However, she managed to duck away with a nimble move.
Chapter 1487
“Hmph! I’m not letting you kiss me. What if someone sees us?”
“I’ll kiss you when we’re home then.”
“No, you’re still not allowed to!”
“I won’t stop kissing you when we’re home. In fact, I have more plans for you,” Larry remarked with a
mischievous smile.
“You pervert…”
After both of them got into the car, their voices faded away.
Under Larry’s persuasion, Joan finally agreed to move into his villa. From then onwards, both of them
enjoyed a wonderful time cohabiting together.
However, one man’s meat was another man’s poison. Just when Larry and Joan were immersed in
their happy lives, Gabriella couldn’t stand for it.
“What did you say? Joan and Larry are living together in his villa?”
She was outraged by her subordinate’s report.
The man was a private investigator she hired just to monitor all of Larry and Joan’s movements.
“Yes. Over the last two days, Larry even brought Joan to see his parents,” the private investigator
added.
upon hearing that, Gabriella smashed the glass she was holding onto the floor. She could feel a heavy
burden hanging over her head to the extent of suffocating her.
“Why! What gives her the right!” Gabriella screamed out her lungs.
“Larry, how is Joan better than me in any way? Why do you treat her so well and yet be so cruel to me!
I can’t accept it! I just can’t!”
After venting her frustration, Gabriella suppressed her rage and asked the private investigator, “Did
Larry’s parents say anything?”
Perhaps, his parents might not approve of her.
Gabriella tried to be optimistic. After all, Joan wasn’t from a prominent family which was an important
consideration for society’s elite.
“This, I have no idea.”
The private investigator could only follow them and observe their movements. As to what happened in
the Norton residence, there was no way he could find out.
Although she didn’t receive a confirmation from the private investigator, she calmed herself down and
began racking her brains.
How can such a prominent family like the Nortons accept a nobody like Joan into their family?
So what if she’s as pretty as a fairy? Without the backing of a prominent family, she still won’t be worthy
of joining the Nortons.
With that thought in mind, Gabriella snorted.
Only I am fit to be Larry’s girlfriend and the lady of the Norton family.
Joan you are but a third wheel in our relationship.
Gabriella was so consumed by the matter that she now saw herself as the rightful Mrs. Norton.
“Joan, I won’t allow you to break apart my relationship with Larry. Just you wait!”
Her eyes glistened as schemes filled her head.
After clearing the air with Larry, Joan returned to work at Opulent Designs.
Although they were now in a relationship, her competitive nature pushed her to make her own living
instead of staying at home and relying on Larry.
While she was working in the office, her phone suddenly rang.
When she saw that it was an unknown number, she ignored it due to her busy work. However, when
the call kept coming in incessantly, she finally picked up the call as she was worried it might be
something urgent.
“Hello,” Joan answered cordially.
“May I know if this is Joan Watts?”
A woman’s voice rang out.
Joan was stunned as she couldn’t recognize Gabriella’s voice over the phone. Furthermore, a long time
had passed and the only impression Joan had of her was from the recent glimpse she caught.
“It’s me, Gabriella. Joan, have you forgotten me?” Gabriella added in a half-joking manner.
“Oh, it’s you, Gabriella.”
Joan was actually delighted to hear her voice.
“I’m at work now. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Chapter 1488
“Joan, do you still remember what we said the last time we met? That we agreed to meet up another
time?” Gabriella suggested with a smile.
She continued, “Don’t tell me you already forget?”
Of course Joan didn’t.
“But, Gabriella, I’m at work now. Why don’t you decide on a venue and I will see you there after work?”
“Fine with me. Meet me at Rainbow Café when you get off work then. I’ll send you the address in a
while.”
Gabriella pretended to be friendly.
“Alright Gabriella, I’ll head over there once I’m done with work,” Joan replied.
“I’ll be waiting for you. Anyway, sorry for bothering you at work. See you later, Joan.”
Gabriella ended the call smiling. However, in the very next moment, her expression changed
drastically.
As for Joan, even though she was quite surprised at receiving Gabriella’s call, she didn’t find it
suspicious at all.
Thinking back to the time when she just entered university, everything was unfamiliar yet exciting.
Gabriella was the first friend she got to know.
“Hi, I’m Gabriella, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hi, I’m Joan.”
Both of them quickly became good friends. They went to class together, ate together, shopped
together, and even had sleepovers.
In Joan’s eyes, although Gabriella was gorgeous and came from a rich family, she didn’t look down on
anyone and treated everyone with respect. Hence, Joan considered Gabriella to be her best friend.
Despite how sincere Joan was in their friendship, Gabriella didn’t share her sentiments at all.
When she first got to know Joan, Gabriella assumed she was from a rich family given how pretty she
was. That was the only reason she made friends with her in the first place.
Once she found out about Joan’s ordinary background, she no longer concerned herself with her.
Even when they interacted with each other, Gabriella would always treat her in a condescending
manner.
However, for the sake of maintaining her own reputation and the fact that Joan was also popular in
school, Gabriella kept up the charade that they were close friends. Unfortunately, Joan didn’t notice her
hypocrisy at all.
After work, Joan hailed a cab and headed to the address provided by Gabriella.
When she entered Rainbow Café, she spotted Gabriella in a corner and approached her quickly.
“Hi, Gabriella,” Joan greeted with a smile.
“Joan, have a seat.”
Gabriella didn’t sound as enthusiastic as she was on the phone. In fact, she even sounded upset.
As Joan took her seat opposite Gabriella, she noticed that there was a cup of coffee ready for her. Joan
was delighted by Gabriella’s thoughtful gesture.
“Gabriella, it’s been a while now. We didn’t manage to talk much the last time. So, how have you
been?” Joan enquired warmly.
“Not bad,” Gabriella replied coldly, staring at Joan.
The moment she arrived, Joan had noticed Gabriella’s gloomy expression. She figured that something
unpleasant must have happened to her.
“What happened, Gabriella?” Joan asked with concern.
As her close friend, Joan felt the need to show some concern.
“The man I love has been stolen by a gorgeous yet shameful btch. I come from a better family than her
and am more highly educated. Furthermore, I’m not inferior to her in terms of looks. So why does my
man like her so much? What makes it worse is that I have always treated that btch as a good friend,”
Gabriella gritted her teeth as she explained.
“The person you are talking about…”
Stunned, a sense of dread suddenly fell upon Joan.
“That’s right. I’m talking about you! Joan Watts!”
Gabriella stared daggers at her.
“Why must you interfere with my relationship with Larry when I have always treated you as my friend?
Do you really enjoy being the third party?”
Chapter 1489
“But, Larry denied that you are his girlfriend. He says that both of you were just acting in front of me,”
Joan retorted as she was skeptical of Gabriella’s words.
“I’m not his girlfriend? We are already engaged and everyone in the high society knows that. It was
your appearance that has thrown our happy relationship onto the rocks,” Gabriella blatantly lied in order
to deal a blow to Joan.
“Larry won’t lie to me. In fact, he has brought me to see his parents.”
Joan began to waver as Gabriella didn’t look like she was lying. However, she still had reason to be
confident of her own stand.
“How unscrupulous can you be? So what if you have met his parents? He brought me to see his
parents too. Furthermore, both our parents had decided upon the engagement. Joan, do you think
someone like you deserves Larry? The Nortons are a distinguished family while you… you are a
nobody!”
Just as she spoke, Gabriella grabbed her glass of water and threw it at Joan. Thereafter, she shrieked
hysterically, “You are nothing but a vixen that seduces the boyfriends of others!”
Gabriella’s screams had attracted the attention of everyone in the café. They were all watching
curiously and ridiculing Joan in front of her.
“Look, everyone! This is the vixen that stole my fiancé. To think that I even treated her as my best
friend! Joan, you are nothing but a mistress that destroys the relationship of others!”
Gabriella was so convincing in twisting the facts that the crowd gradually believed that she was the
victim.
Within a short time, many of them sympathized with her and their criticism against Joan grew louder.
“This woman is really pretty, why does she need to be a mistress?”
“The prettier they are, the more tempting they become when seducing the fiancé of others!”
“Pfft, what a shameless woman!”
“That’s right, death to mistresses!”
Joan sat dumbfounded in her chair, drenched by the water that Gabriella had thrown on her.
At that moment, she was utterly confused. She didn’t believe what Gabriella said but reality seemed to
persuade her that it was true.
“No! I’m not a mistress, I’m not! Larry and I truly love each other!” Joan yelled with an insecure tone as
if she was trying to convince everyone around her, including herself.
Just as she screamed, she grabbed her bag and pushed her way through the crowd before running off
miserably. She needed to calm herself down and gather her thoughts about the shocking news she had
received.
Looking at Joan’s pathetic retreat, Gabriella finally felt satisfied over venting her frustration. Pointing at
Joan, she declared, “Look, that vixen doesn’t dare stay and challenge me because she knows she’s in
the wrong! A mistress will definitely meet a miserable end!” Gabriella ended her sentence with a
gloating laugh.
When the crowd realized the altercation was over, they slowly dispersed as there was no point in
staying.
Only Gabriella was left standing there, staring in the direction that Joan had run.
“Joan, just you wait, there is more to come. Challenging me will only end in your doom!”
Just as she spoke, Gabriella left with a sneer as she had something more important to attend to.
The next morning, the headline: Mysterious Mistress Breaks Apart Relationship of Ward Group’s
Daughter and Norton Corporation President was splashed across the front page of all the major
newspapers.
As the Norton Corporation was among the largest conglomerates in Marsingfill, the young president of
Norton Corporation was naturally a character of interest for gossip and the subject of attention of many
youngsters.
Meanwhile, the Ward family was also a prominent family, as they too wielded enormous influence in the
city.
Therefore, the scandal about Larry and Gabriella easily spread like wildfire.
While everyone was discussing the controversy, they were extremely curious as to who this mysterious
mistress named Joan Watts was.
Chapter 1490
“Hey, have you heard that Larry of Norton Corporation is engaged to Gabriella of Ward Group?”
“Yes, I’m sure many single young men and women would be heartbroken to hear the news.”
“That isn’t even the juiciest part. Who do you think the mysterious mistress named Joan Watts is?”
“Gabriella is already a beauty. To be able to steal Larry away from her, Joan must be even more of a
stunner.”
“Sheesh, so what if she is prettier, isn’t she nothing but a relationship destroying vixen?”
“What a pity. Why did she need to be a mistress?”
The scandal became the talk of the town while Larry, Gabriella, and Joan’s names were now the most
recognizable within the city.
Meanwhile, Gabriella, who was the culprit behind the news, was drinking tea at home triumphantly
while closely monitoring the latest developments.
After she left the café, she had instructed her men to share this news with all the major media outlets.
Naturally, such a juicy scandal attracted a lot of attention from the media. Thereafter, the headlines
were all published.
Following that, a “good Samaritan” leaked Joan’s home address to the media.
This resulted in a huge group of reporters swarming Joan’s rented place. They had wanted to see the
face of this mysterious mistress and also interview her.
After leaving pathetically last night, Joan returned to her own rented abode. As she had been staying in
Larry’s villa, this was the first time she came back since then.
After giving it some thought, Joan realized that there were tons of loopholes in what Gabriella had said.
But, there were some parts that were undeniable still.
She felt what Gabriella said was right. An ordinary girl like her was not worthy of Larry. Only a girl from
a prominent family like Gabriella would make a good match for him due to their similar family
backgrounds.
However, Joan couldn’t ignore how Larry’s parents treated her.
She could tell that they were being sincere to her. After all, they had given her the bracelet which was a
family heirloom. Therefore, how is it possible that such a distinguished couple lie to me?
With that thought in mind, Joan’s fears were allayed a little. After covering herself with her blanket, she
fell asleep right away.
By the time she awoke, it was already the next morning.
As it was a habit of hers to check her phone, she saw the shocking news right away.
Mysterious Mistress Breaks Apart Relationship of Ward Group’s Daughter and Norton Corporation
President. When Joan saw the headline, she subconsciously tapped into the article.
The moment she finished reading it, her face turned as white as a sheet.
Gabriella actually announced it to the media?
Then… could it be that what she said was really the truth? That I destroyed their marriage and stole
Larry? Otherwise, what gives her the confidence to publicly declare such a thing?
Holding that thought, Joan suddenly felt that everything was preposterous. She had naively assumed
that she got together with Larry when in reality, it was all just a farce. She was but a mistress who
interfered with someone else’s relationship.
Clenching her fist, she dug her fingernails into her skin in anger. However, the pain she felt in her hand
was nothing compared to what she felt in her heart.
Joan felt dejected. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape the jaws of fate. She seemed to
never be able to get her way in love.
Given how sad she was, her thoughts began to fall into a vicious cycle of negativity.
At that moment, Joan had forgotten how well Larry treated her and how his parents had handed her the
bracelet.
There was only one thing in her mind, that is to leave Larry. After having betrayed Gabriella and labeled
a vixen, she felt tired and didn’t want to continue the relationship.
Just then, she suddenly heard a commotion outside her house followed by someone knocking on the
door.
Peeking outside, she saw a large group of people with cameras and microphones standing outside.
It was obvious to her that the reporters were there to interview her.
She decided not to open the door as she didn’t know how to deal with their questions. More
importantly, she didn’t even know how to face herself.