Chapter 101 The Starry Sky
Chris finally realized that Pippa did this on purpose - to stand up for Joanna and her son!
And with so many important people around, once they started watching the Coopers' drama unfold, it would probably be all over the news again.
So before Joanna could speak, he said: "The auction is over. Whatever it is, we'll talk about it when we get back. Don't make a spectacle of ourselves in public."
Angelo slowly blocked his hand from grabbing the phone. "Mr. Cooper, we're not in a hurry, and we're not afraid of losing face. Let's hear what Joanna has to say first."
Joanna looked at Pippa, then at the embarrassed Chris, and finally understood what was going on.
She returned the phone to Pippa, and when she turned to look at Chris, she only left him with one sentence: "Our marriage may have been rushed, but the feelings were real. Don't ruin the last bit of good impression I have of you."
With that, she smiled politely at everyone and headed to the parking lot.
At first, Chris didn't realize what she meant, but when it hit him, his heart started pounding hard.
He rushed after her, but Joanna had already gotten in the car.
Chris could only bang on the car window from outside: "Joanna, are you admitting you love me? If you like me so much, why make such a big deal out of everything? Why insist on divorcing me? You just won't admit you're materialistic, that you care more about money and power! So when Angelo showed up, you chose him without hesitation. You have no real feelings, do you!"
His expression was somewhat crazed - the ugly truth after all his lies had been exposed.
Chris had been fooling himself all this time, preferring to believe that Joanna only loved money and never loved him, rather than accepting that Joanna had real feelings for him.
Because during this time, he had also realized that his feelings for Joanna weren't just simple dependence either.
He was afraid to face the truth and his true feelings.
So all this time, Chris had been living like a walking corpse.
Until this moment.
His eyes red, he forced Joanna to get out of the car and explain everything clearly.
But Joanna didn't move, just honked the car horn.
Soon, parking lot security came and pulled him away.
Angelo slowly walked to the car, knocked on the window, and was invited in.
He slowly looked up, giving Chris a victor's glance.
That one look made the already crumbling man lose control completely.
Chris struggled violently.
But Joanna had no attachment left and drove away directly.
On the road, Angelo spoke apologetically: "My mother has a pretty straightforward personality. She doesn't like misunderstandings, so she arranged this revenge without your permission. If you're unhappy about it, can you give me a chance to make it up to you?"
Joanna remained silent.
Angelo pressed his lips together, feeling somewhat regretful inside.
He should have stopped Pippa.
When they stopped at the apartment building, Angelo was about to apologize and get out: "I apologize on behalf of my mother, Joanna. I think right now you need some time alone, so I won't bother you. Whatever happens, as long as you're willing to accept my apology, I'll do my best."
With that, he was about to open the car door.
But Joanna locked the doors and even started the car and drove off again.
She drove without a destination, and after a long time, stopped beside an abandoned factory.
Joanna turned off the engine and asked: "Isn't Angelo afraid I'll dump your body in the wilderness?"
Angelo knew she was joking. Feeling relaxed inside, he blinked and said: "Well, your murder methods aren't very sophisticated. You didn't take away my phone or any devices with tracking capabilities beforehand. You even clearly let me see the route, so I can report my safety to friends and family anytime."
Joanna smiled, unbuckled her seatbelt and got out.
Breathing in the fresh air outside, she looked up at the sky, and when Angelo got out, she pointed upward.
"You can see the North Star from here. I used to come here when I was upset."
Angelo sighed and walked to her side: "So you are angry after all."
Joanna asked him back: "Angry at you or your mother? Or would you rather I be angry at Chris?"
Angelo didn't know how to answer.
Today he just felt Joanna's mood was off - she didn't argue with Chris, nor did she get angry about Pippa's actions.
He thought, perhaps he had never fully understood Joanna.
"Actually, I quite like Mrs. Smith's approach - if there's a misunderstanding, clear it up right away, never let it drag on or escalate into bigger conflicts. I'm not angry that she called me over to be a tool for getting revenge on Chris either. I'm just increasingly realizing that the Chris I used to like only existed in the successful person filter I put on him."
Angelo was somewhat surprised and asked: "What do you mean?"
Joanna looked at the stars in the sky and asked: "When Angelo looks at the starry sky, what do you feel?"
Angelo thought for a few seconds and answered: "Romance? Hope?"
"Right, but these are all meanings we humans give to it. So today when I saw Chris trying to ruin my reputation behind my back, it made me clearly realize that he was never what I imagined. He rarely came home before, managed such a big company like Cooper Corporation all by himself, and had a cold personality - I thought that was what a successful person was like. He was filial and obedient to Nicole, and very thoughtful about preparing appropriate gifts for everyone - I thought that was being well-mannered. He rarely lost his temper, mostly handled things coldly - I thought that was being rational."
Joanna shrugged. "But actually, these were all just what I thought. After the divorce, I saw his stubborn, unreasonable, hot-tempered, and gullible side. I always thought it was Cynthia driving a wedge between us, but actually, this is just who he is."
Angelo understood, his eyes showing appreciation: "So you think you just fell in love with a filtered version of him, and now that filter is being shattered, you're becoming more and more clear-headed."
Joanna nodded, her tone relaxed and casual: "Pretty much. So I'm not angry at Angelo. I just... think my past self was really pathetic. People really should see more of the world, so they won't easily imagine someone's good qualities based on just one action."
The stars twinkled, just like Joanna in Angelo's eyes was also glowing.
He murmured softly: "But the you in my eyes has no perfect filter. Every vivid and real side of you attracts me."
Though his voice was soft, the wind seemed to carry his words into Joanna's heart.
Her smile froze for a moment. She said nothing, pretending not to hear.
After watching the stars for a while, they decided to head back.
When the car stopped in the apartment parking lot, Joanna said apologetically: "I'm sorry Angelo, for dragging you out to look at stars. If you catch a cold when you get back, I'll definitely take care of you like you took care of me last time."
Angelo smiled and said: "Why do I feel like you're actually hoping I get sick?"
"No, no, no!" Joanna quickly explained, but Angelo interrupted her.
"Tonight was wonderful. The stars were beautiful, and so was the company."