Chapter 37
Howell furrowed his brows upon hearing this.
“Morn, it’s not Joanna’s fault. It’s just that I’ve been procrastinating on handling the paperwork,” he said, his feelings complicated. Even he couldn’t make sense of his own emotions right now. He wasn’t ready to deal with it yet.
When Pully heard this, it was as if a cold bucket of water had been thrown over her. She looked at him in shock. “What You don’t want to take care of it? Howell has that woman put some sort of spell on you?
“You finally managed to get rid of her, and now you’re changing your mind? What on earth are you thinking?”
“Yeah, Howell, are you out of your mind? The
Theodora added, her eyes wide in disbelief, her mouth practically hanging open. “That w
woman finally agreed to leave, and you’re still stalling on the divorce?”
She couldn’t understand what was going through Howell’s head.
“Just leave it to me. I’ll handle it, Howell said, his tone calm and indifferent.
His attitude only made Polly and Theodora even angrier.
“You’ll handle it?” Polly snapped. “Well, I won’t let that woman step foot in the Buckley family house again.”
Suddenly, Howell’s voice turned icy. “Mom, stop worrying about it. If you’re bored, go shopping or take a trip. Just have Hanley arrange it for you
The implication was clear–he didn’t want her meddling in his business,
Polly was so stunned with anger, she couldn’t say another word.
Theodora, taken aback by her brother’s cold tone, didn’t dare speak up again.
Then, a thought occurred to her, and she quickly shifted the topic. “Howell, why did Donald cancel his endorsement with Buckley Group? I don’t care. I like him a lot, and I want to meet him.”
Howell’s voice was low as he replied, “He canceled for personal reasons. We’re still in talks about it.”
“Howell, you could just talk to him directly. There’s a fashion gala in a few days, and Donald’s been invited. A lot of celebrities will be there. Margot and I are going, too, Theodora was practically bouncing with excitement.
She had gone shopping with Margot today to prepare for the event. She’d heard that many influential people would be attending, and most importantly, Donald would be there. Theodora was a huge fan, and she’d been waiting for this moment for ages.
Howell furrowed his brows, finally remembering that Hanley had mentioned it earlier. But since he wasn’t interested in fashion, he hadn’t paid much attention.
Still, if Donald was attending, it might be a good opportunity to meet him and have a word.
Hanley had tried contacting Donald’s manager several times today, but each time he’d been given vague, non–committal answers.
“I’ll take care of it,” Howell said, already planning his next move. He thought, ‘Looks like I will
I have b
to meet Donald in person after all
Theodora beamed. “Really? That’s amazing! I’ll finally get to meet my
my idoli
Howell glanced at the time. It was getting late, so he stood up to leave.
Polly, furious, could hardly contain her anger. What a disappointment. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d been enchanted by that y Joanna
As Howell walked out of the Buckley family, he suddenly remembered the address Hanley had given him earlier that day.
Without hesitation, Howell got into his car, started the engine, and drove straight to Joanna’s apartment.
At that moment, Joanna and Donald had just fished dinner, and he was driving her home.
Joanna was pregnant now,
and since she was treated like “a protected species, everyone around her was understandably on edge.
Although she kept reassuring them that everything was fine, her family remained anxious
vile
The car stopped at the entrance of the residential complex, and joina got out. Soon after, Donald’s tall figure appeared in the dimming night,
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Chapter 37
He gently ruffled her hair, said a few words to her, and reminded her to be careful before driving away.
It was then that Howell, who had been waiting by the side of the road, saw the scene unfold.
Howell had arrived not long ago and noticed that the lights on Joanna’s floor were off. He guessed she hadn’t come back yet, so he decided to wait
He hit a cigarette and leaned against the car, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the complex.
A few moments later, a Porsche Cayenne pulled up at the gate. Joanna stepped out with a bright smile on her face, clearly in a good mood.
Howell stood across the street, watching her ti hail been a long time since he’ll seen her smile like that.
She used to glare at h
at him with such anger, but now, seeing her so happy made a bitter knot form in his chest. He couldn’t quite shake the feeling.
Just as he was about to approach, he saw a man step out of the car as well.
The man’s back was to him, so Howell couldn’t see his face, but the tall, broad–shouldered figure, and the affectionate a hair, sent a wave of jealousy through him.
He thought. Damn it: Who is this guy! Why is he so familiar with Joanna?
Howell fought to suppress his rising anger, squinting at the man’s back.
gesture of ruffling Joanna’s
It wasn’t Philip. Howell knew him well enough to recognize him, and even from across the street, he could tell it wasn’t him.
Just as he was about to lose control, Donald’s car finally drove off.
Joanna waited until the car was out of sight before she started to head upstairs.
That was when a snide voice suddenly broke the silence. “What’s this! Can’t bear to say goodbyer”
The voice dripped with mockery and bitterness.
Joanna whipped around, her gaze landing on Howell “What are you doing here?”
She thought. This guy is like a ghost that won’t leave me alone. Wherever I got, there he is
“Joanna, you haven’t forgotten, have your We still haven’t signed the divorce papers. You’re still Mrs. Buckley. Everything you do affects the reputation of the Buckley family,” Howell said, unable to hold back.
Joanna rolled her eyes. “Howell, are
ne you crazy? We’re getting divorced, and you’re still holding that over me? Are you out of your mind?”
She thought. He is beyond shameless”
Howell’s expression slufted. He thought. So, this is the new Joanna–she is no longer the same woman who will always hold her tongue.
line, his handsome face freezing over like a block of ice. It was as if his very
“Joanna, enough” His voice turned cold as
s his lips tightened into a thin line presence could freeze the air around them.
The temperature dropped instantly, and the atmosphere turned suffocating.
“Howell, what do you want from me! Suy away from me. We’re divorced,” Joanna snapped, clenching her tists in frustration. She was at her breaking point
ing up with this?
She drought. Why should I keep putting up
Hack when he was flaunting his relationship with Margot, pretending he had found his true love, she’d stepped aside, but now he wouldn’t even sign the divorce papers. Does he think the world revolves around him?
Shur turned to walk away, bui Howell grabbed her arm, pulling her back. Tin not finished yet. In a couple of days, I’m attending a gala. You’re
Porta derint hesitate to refuse. Ti and going“
Then, her voice turned cold as she gave hun one last warning “Don’t come looking for me again. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”
Howell suddenly yanked her in diis arms aisd whispered in her ear, his voice low and threatening “So, you’ve found someone new, haven’t you? That’s why you’re in desperate to divorce mer
