Chapter 86 She Has Found Freedom
"Yes."
After a moment of surprise, Angelo just smiled helplessly. He didn't try to wipe it off, but looked at Joanna indulgently, allowing her playfulness.
"Smearing cake is sharing good luck. Angelo will definitely be safe and sound in the future!"
In the dark night, Joanna's eyes were bright, as if they contained the entire starry sky.
And across from her, Angelo's eyes could only hold her smiling face.
The two didn't stay outside for long. After eating a small piece of cake, it was past midnight.
Angelo packed up the remaining cake and put it in the car: "Let's go, I'll take you home."
He had been drinking and had just been brought over by a designated driver. Joanna didn't dare let him drive, so she took the driver's seat herself.
She blinked playfully: "I got my license before I got married. I rarely drive. Angelo, you're the first person to sit in my passenger seat besides my driving school instructor."
Angelo smiled: "Then I'm pretty lucky. I hope I'll always be the one sitting in your passenger seat from now on."
Joanna froze, not daring to think about what that meant. She smiled and focused on driving.
She planned to take Angelo home first, but the address Angelo gave was also her apartment building.
Joanna was helpless: "Angelo, I'll take you home first, then take a taxi back. That won't be a problem."
Angelo looked innocent and said: "I also bought a place in your apartment building. Last time when you were sick and rushing to finish your design work, I thought your apartment was pretty nice so I bought one."
Joanna accepted helplessly and drove the car into the apartment's garage.
She didn't ask which floor Angelo had bought, but when she saw Angelo not pressing the elevator button and following her out on the eighth floor, she paused.
Then she watched him walk into the room next to hers, and it finally dawned on her: "Angelo, you're my neighbor now!"
When Joanna first bought this place, there were neighbors around, but they moved away later.
So after she moved in, she never had any neighbors.
She didn't expect to become neighbors with Angelo now.
"Yeah, you didn't have to come find me. We could have celebrated my birthday at home." Angelo said with a smile.
Joanna immediately thought of what Angelo had said on the phone, but unfortunately he kept getting interrupted by another frivolous male voice and couldn't explain clearly.
She smiled stiffly: "It's okay, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I have to go to work tomorrow, so I won't chat with Angelo anymore. Get some rest early, good night!"
After saying that, she quickly closed the door.
Joanna leaned against the door, her heart pounding strongly, not knowing if it was nervousness or excitement.
Next door, Angelo put the cake in the refrigerator and simply tidied up the bedroom.
Although he had bought this place, no one had lived in it, and the furniture was all brand new. He could only make do for now.
But since he might be living here more frequently in the future, he planned to have someone come clean and decorate tomorrow. Tonight he'd just rough it.
Life after returning to the country was peaceful. Joanna first arranged a divorce date with Matthew for next Monday.
After work, she went back to see her mother and told Dr. Bruce about the new medication.
Joanna gave Dr. Bruce the drug samples she brought back from Grace General Hospital to study. Within two days, he told her: "Miss Jones, this new medication can indeed help your mother's condition. Your judgment was correct."
Joanna was pleased: "Now Smith Group has reached a cooperation with the research institute for the new drug's release. Angelo should have contacted the processing pharmaceutical factory. When the new medication enters the trial phase, I hope Dr. Bruce can use it on my mother as soon as possible."
"Miss Jones plans to have your mother participate in the drug trial?" Dr. Bruce was somewhat surprised.
Medical value comes from results obtained through extensive experiments. Few family members are willing to risk having their loved ones use new medications.
Dr. Bruce didn't expect Joanna to have such courage.
Joanna smiled: "Didn't you also say this medication would help my mother? Then using it early or a few days late is the same. I hope my mother can wake up soon and be free from the pain."
Dr. Bruce was gratified: "That's also the wish of all of us doctors."
After settling Sandra's matters, Joanna worked with peace of mind, quietly waiting for the divorce date to arrive.
She also hoped there wouldn't be any surprises this time.
On Sunday afternoon, Chris called Joanna. Both of them were silent for a long time without speaking.
Just as Joanna was about to hang up, Chris said: "Have you thought it through? Won't you come back to the research institute? Even though Smith Group got the drug release cooperation, I also invested in the research institute. Cooper Corporation can participate. Joanna, I need talented people like you."
"Sorry, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Smith's offer here is pretty good."
Since they were talking about work, Joanna didn't get upset and declined seriously.
After finishing, she didn't forget to remind him: "Remember to go to the marriage registry office tomorrow."
The property division had been done long ago. They just needed to go to the marriage registry office to complete the procedures and then wait for the divorce certificate to be issued.
After saying that, Joanna hung up without wasting any more time.
Monday morning at ten o'clock, she put on light makeup and brought the marriage certificate that had made her happy for several months and the divorce agreement to the marriage registry office.
This time, Chris wasn't late.
He remained silent until they submitted the application, and the staff member said: "Alright, come back at this time next month to get your divorce certificate. If it's not convenient, you can also leave an address and phone number, and we can send it by express delivery, but you'll need to pay the postage yourself."
Joanna didn't hesitate to choose leaving her address and phone number.
She was afraid that if she arranged to meet Chris at the marriage registry office again, something unexpected would happen.
Walking out of the marriage registry office, Joanna felt a sense of relief. Although she hadn't received the divorce certificate yet, she was one step closer to freedom.
Chris looked at her happy expression and felt very uncomfortable. He said: "Originally I wanted a fake divorce, and we'd remarry after Cynthia gave birth. But Joanna, you've rejected me too many times. This time I won't coax you anymore. I'll give my wife's position to Cynthia. She'll be better than you."
Joanna smiled politely and courteously: "I'm not that generous, so I won't wish you happiness. I hope Mr. Cooper and Cynthia won't bother my life anymore."
"You think I want to?" Chris said angrily, "Joanna, I don't need your care! Let's see who can't live without whom!"
Joanna didn't continue arguing with him and turned to leave. Because she was happy, she couldn't help posting on social media, and Angelo was the first to like it.
Of course, Joanna also shared this joy with Angelo and Peter, and both of them replied with blessings.
She looked at the sky, as if reborn, having found her most free self.