Chapter 100 Exposing the Misunderstanding Face to Face
Joanna denied her relationship with Angelo, but she put so much effort into preparing a dress for this banquet?
She must have been involved with Angelo all along!
Getting angrier by the second, Chris walked over to the Smiths' parents.
Angelo was chatting with a business partner at the moment and didn't notice the guest beside his parents.
Chris directly revealed his identity: "Hello, I'm Joanna's husband. Recently Angelo has been very close to Joanna, taking care of her in many ways on my behalf. I haven't had a chance to thank him, but in a few days I'll definitely prepare a gift and visit!"
Pippa had been chatting with friends and was puzzled when she saw Chris. After hearing what he said, her expression turned unpleasant.
"Didn't you and Joanna get divorced? I heard from Joanna that she and Angelo were classmates, so they've been in contact for a long time."
Chris smiled and said: "The conflict between Joanna and me isn't actually that serious. It's just that Angelo has been hiding his identity and saying things that harm our marriage, which led to our relationship falling apart. Angelo probably didn't tell you, but even on Valentine's Day, such a special occasion, he specifically asked Joanna out to dinner. I even have many photos of them being intimate. Would you like to see them?"
Pippa frowned. Although she trusted Angelo's character, the Joanna that Chris described didn't seem like a proper woman.
After some hesitation, she said coldly: "Today's banquet isn't for Mr. Cooper to come complain to us. We never interfere in our children's affairs. If they're meant to be, they'll naturally end up together. As for you, Mr. Cooper, since you're already divorced, you shouldn't act so intimate with Miss Jones in public and interfere with her new relationship."
Chris's face showed some embarrassment at being exposed.
He deliberately brought up private matters at this kind of occasion because he wanted revenge, wanting to ruin Joanna's new relationship and make her realize that no one would want her after leaving him.
But Pippa was too rational. She saw through his intentions immediately and didn't spare his feelings.
Just then, Angelo walked over. He glanced at Chris and said: "Mr. Cooper's happy occasion is coming soon, with both a child and a new wife. Why are you still thinking about your ex-wife? Do I need to go chat with your wife's parents?"
Chris immediately denied it: "No need! I just wanted to remind you that feelings obtained by hiding your identity aren't sincere. Joanna will get tired of you sooner or later."
Just like... she got tired of him.
"But Joanna has always known my identity," Angelo said calmly, though his eyes held a challenge.
Chris froze for a moment, his chest heaving with anger that wouldn't subside.
After leaving the nursing home last time, realizing Angelo was also surnamed Smith, he looked into the nursing home's background and dug out Angelo's identity.
Even so, Chris was unwilling to admit that he couldn't compare to Angelo in either career or relationships.
He convinced himself that Joanna must have been deceived.
And now Angelo had exposed the excuse he used to deceive himself. Unable to maintain his smile, he glared at him viciously and left.
Angelo didn't take this small incident to heart, until the banquet ended.
Walking out of the banquet hall, a familiar figure was waiting outside.
Angelo walked over quickly and discovered it really was Joanna. He was very surprised: "Why did you suddenly come? You could have sent me a message, I could have brought you in. It's cold outside, you might catch a cold."
Joanna held a gift box in her hands. "It's fine. I just got a message from Mrs. Smith, so I came to deliver something."
Half an hour ago, Pippa had sent Joanna a message saying an accessory from the dress was missing.
The dress had been very eye-catching at tonight's banquet, and several business owners in the clothing industry had privately approached her to chat, wanting to meet the designer.
To help Joanna secure the deal, Pippa took the initiative to call Joanna over to deliver the item.
But since she didn't have an invitation and most of the banquet program was already over, she simply waited outside without going in.
Angelo looked at the accessory. He clearly remembered Pippa had it on just now, so it wasn't about the accessory.
Then why did Pippa insist on calling Joanna over?
He was a bit worried that Pippa might have listened to Chris's words and misunderstood Joanna.
Coming out even earlier than Pippa was Chris, who was about to leave.
Seeing the man and woman embracing in the distance, he rushed over angrily and grabbed Joanna's shoulder, pulling her away.
"Joanna! We haven't even gotten the divorce certificate yet. Can you give me some face in public? There are many business partners we've dealt with before inside!"
Getting closer, he realized it was just an illusion. Joanna and Angelo weren't embracing at all.
They were just standing toe-to-toe, getting a bit closer to look at the accessory.
Chris's sudden pulling motion almost made Joanna lose her balance. Her body leaned back, about to fall.
Fortunately, Angelo reached out to steady her.
All three of them looked upset.
Joanna laughed coldly: "I was just saying a few words to Angelo. You and Cynthia are already picking wedding dresses and making wedding clothes, so who's really crossing the line? Besides, even if Angelo and I confirmed our relationship, it's none of your business. The divorce certificate will be delivered to us in less than half a month. You have no right to question me like this!"
She really couldn't understand how Chris could be so hypocritical.
No matter how intimate he and Cynthia were, even lying in the same bed, he didn't think it was excessive.
But when it came to her and Angelo, just talking for a bit made him rush over to scold her. If he cared so much about his reputation, he shouldn't have chosen to cheat with Cynthia in the first place!
Chris was already angry, and being talked back to by Joanna like this made him want to hit her.
But before he could raise his arm, Pippa came over.
"Joanna, Angelo." Pippa smiled and said, "I forgot to tell someone to bring you inside to wait. I'm sorry."
Joanna quickly waved her hand, indicating it was fine.
Only then did Pippa seem to notice Chris, opening her mouth in surprise: "Mr. Cooper hasn't left yet? That's good actually. Mr. Cooper seemed to have some questions about Angelo and Joanna's relationship earlier. Why don't you clear up the misunderstanding face to face, so you can get along peacefully in the future? At these business occasions, both our families are prominent in Austin City, so we'll inevitably run into each other often."
Chris wanted to stop Pippa from continuing.
If he said those things in person, Joanna would probably lose her temper again and be even harder to appease.
Moreover, more and more business owners were coming out now. Someone might recognize them and be waiting to watch the drama unfold.
Joanna didn't know what had happened and asked: "What misunderstanding? Did you hear something?"
Pippa smiled and showed Joanna the banquet surveillance footage. The clear images and sound came through, making everyone's faces stiffen.