Chapter 93 Expressing One’s Feelings
Angelo dropped everything the moment he got the call. He knew Joanna well—she wouldn't reach out for help unless she was really in a tough spot.
They agreed to meet at a coffee shop.
As soon as they sat down, Joanna showed Angelo the photos exported from Sandra's phone.
"After Lyle took over the company, he found some leads about this project. I asked Henry and Chad about it. Chad probably really doesn't know the details, but Henry has been secretly dealing in fake drugs. My mom took these photos from the safe at home. Angelo, if I report Henry, will these contracts get my mother in trouble?"
Angelo's expression turned serious as he quickly flipped through the photos. After a few minutes, he gave his answer: "Even though your mother has been in the hospital, Henry has pushed all the responsibility onto her. This case would be difficult even for Peter to handle."
After all, Sandra and Henry were still married. Henry using his position as her husband to sign these contracts was completely legal.
"But my mom has been unconscious the whole time. The hospital has records of her stay," Joanna said, unwilling to accept this.
Angelo understood how she felt and sighed. "But the hospital can't prove that Henry's actions went against your mother's wishes."
Simply put, Henry was exploiting a legal loophole.
Even though they all knew Sandra couldn't have authorized Henry to do this, they still couldn't clear her of involvement.
"So what do we do now?"
Joanna really didn't want to trouble Angelo unless there was no other option.
Angelo pressed his lips together. "Don't worry. Leave this to me. I'll approach this project in Smith Group's name and see if we can catch Henry in the act."
Joanna's anxious heart found some comfort. "Okay, I'll let Lyle know. Whatever Jones Corp needs to do to help, he'll do it. Angelo, sorry for the trouble. Business operations really aren't my strong suit."
"Since we reconnected, it seems like 'thank you' is what you say to me most. Joanna, I'm not afraid of you causing me trouble." Angelo touched her head gently. "I'm actually glad that when you're in trouble, you think of me first instead of Chris. Does that mean I've already replaced him in your heart?"
Joanna froze. She had never thought about this question.
It was just instinctive—she felt Angelo was more reliable than Chris. She'd rather owe Angelo a favor than be bound to Chris by marriage.
"I... can't answer that question right now, Angelo." She smiled awkwardly.
Disappointment flashed in Angelo's eyes, but he didn't blame her. He just said, "Joanna, I just want to remind you that I won't always help without expecting anything in return. You can probably tell—I want to pursue you. Of course, you don't need to feel pressured. I'm just saying this because I don't want you to keep seeing me as just Angelo. I don't want to go through watching you marry someone else again like I did three years ago."
Angelo... was pursuing her?
Joanna felt the world go quiet. The rich aroma of coffee seemed to take on a different quality, and when it reached her nose, she could only smell sweetness.
She heard her heart pounding. "Angelo, I don't think I should play dumb. That wouldn't be fair to you. And you know I've been married. You're so outstanding..."
Joanna nervously fidgeted with her hands, not knowing what right she had to reject Angelo.
She was the one who wasn't good enough for Angelo.
Angelo took her hand and made her look up at him. "I'm glad you think I'm outstanding. But Joanna, have you ever considered that you're also outstanding in my eyes?"
Angelo's handsome face showed a hint of nervousness, as if Joanna's answer was very important.
"I understand, Angelo. I'll think about it seriously." Joanna's face showed sincerity.
Though it wasn't the best answer, Joanna's serious attitude actually made Angelo relax.
He smiled. "Okay."
After coffee, Joanna returned to the hospital with mixed feelings.
Recent troubles all seemed complicated, harder to deal with than the divorce. She could only try to stay calm and handle things one at a time.
After finishing her hospital shifts, she went home to design Angelo's outfits.
Two of the three outfits were menswear. Joanna had already sketched the designs, but wasn't sure about the measurements.
When she took out her phone to ask, she hesitated because of their earlier conversation.
She lingered over the chat window for a long time, not knowing how to send the message.
Joanna tugged at her hair in frustration. "Joanna, when did you become so hesitant? Angelo just expressed his feelings—he's not forcing you to agree to be together. Just act natural and don't be so nervous!"
After encouraging herself for a while, she looked down and saw it was almost ten o'clock.
Joanna didn't dare hesitate anymore. She closed her eyes and sent the message.
Soon, Angelo sent a voice message back: "Could you come over and take our measurements?"
Joanna's face turned red. She sent back an emoji and didn't dare look at her phone again.
The next day, she arrived at Angelo's home at the agreed time. It looked ordinary from the outside—she hadn't expected Angelo's parents to live here.
"Angelo, I hope I'm not interrupting?"
Angelo's parents looked young and shared some features with Angelo. Both looked curious.
"Angelo, is this the outfit designer you hired? She looks very young."
Angelo took the tools Joanna brought inside and replied with a smile, "Yes, I met her when I gave a talk at my old school. She's very talented in design and is helping me out this time. Mom, Dad, please don't give her a hard time."
Angelo's mother smiled, already guessing Angelo's intentions.
Though she didn't say anything more, she kept observing Joanna's character.
The intense gaze was strong, but Joanna could only pretend not to notice and focus on her work.
After recording all three people's measurements, Joanna sat down to discuss the design style.
Originally, Angelo's mother Pippa was only being polite for Angelo's sake, but after hearing Joanna's presentation, she suddenly became serious. "I didn't expect Miss Jones to have better taste than my previous designers."
Joanna replied modestly, "Every designer has different strengths. I'm very happy to receive such high praise from you."
"Angelo can't hide his feelings. He hasn't brought a girlfriend home in all these years. Joanna, do you know anyone you could introduce to Angelo? He's almost thirty, and we're getting anxious as his parents."
Pippa smiled as she held Joanna's hand and chatted.
Even when Angelo tried to interrupt, Pippa rolled her eyes at him.
The Smith family had a warm atmosphere—the kind of family harmony Joanna had envied for years. She unconsciously watched them for a while, until Pippa noticed.