Chapter 54: Chapter 53: Old Acquaintance
"Alright, why hide it from me? I’m your agent. If you’re doing well, I couldn’t be happier." Shannon Lewis didn’t believe a word she said.
For the first time, she thoughtfully told her to get some rest, leaving Julie behind to take care of her before she departed.
Joanna Kennedy looked at the young assistant standing before her, her face a mask of juicy gossip, and rubbed her aching forehead. "Can you tell me what’s really going on?"
"I was hoping you’d give *me* the details..." The young assistant spilled everything she had heard from others. "Everyone’s saying you’ve latched onto a big shot—the President of Southland. They also say Southland bankrupted Ryan Lawson because he was plotting something against you."
"...Where are all these rumors coming from?"
Joanna Kennedy’s head throbbed. She had underestimated people’s passion for gossip; they even dared to invent rumors about Simon Lockwood.
’The Simon Lockwood of today doesn’t even like me. Why would he possibly do all this for me?’
’But... was Ryan Lawson’s bankruptcy really Simon Lockwood’s handiwork?’
’Why would he do that?’
Before Joanna Kennedy could even begin to grasp an answer, Julie spoke again in a secretive whisper. "Here’s a little tidbit... I heard Ryan Lawson was beaten half to death last night and sent to the hospital. Both his hands were broken, and his face was swollen up like a pig’s head. It was brutal..."
Joanna Kennedy froze.
Two hours later, she stood before the Southland Group building, wearing a hat and mask and carrying a lunchbox.
Located in the heart of the city, the entire building belonged to Southland Group. It was very easy to find.
She was stopped the moment she walked in. A receptionist asked politely, "Hello, may I ask who you’re looking for?"
Joanna Kennedy pulled her hat down lower and answered, "I’m looking for Simon Lockwood."
The receptionist’s expression grew subtle. "I’m sorry, but you can’t see Mr. Lockwood without an appointment. Do you have one?"
Joanna Kennedy had come on the spur of the moment, so of course, she didn’t have an appointment. After a few seconds of silence, she realized she had been too hasty. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she bumped into someone.
The person yelped, and the files in her hands scattered across the floor. Joanna Kennedy apologized, annoyed at herself. "I’m so sorry, I..."
"Joanna Kennedy?" The woman’s voice held a hint of confusion.
’This person knows me?’
Joanna Kennedy looked up and saw a familiar face.
"..."
Serena Sutton was far more beautiful than before. Her features, once merely delicate and sweet, had been transformed by makeup into something refined and gorgeous. It wasn’t just a change in looks but in her entire aura. She possessed an intellectual, gentle sort of beauty.
"Manager Sutton, are you alright?" the receptionist asked with concern, helping to pick up the folder.
Serena Sutton smiled and shook her head. "I’m fine."
In the reception lounge, Serena Sutton poured a glass of water and placed it in front of her. "It’s been a long time."
She studied Joanna Kennedy for a couple of seconds. "You’re still as beautiful as ever."
"And you’re very impressive," Joanna Kennedy returned.
"Haha, it’s all thanks to Simon looking out for me."
’Simon...’ Joanna Kennedy silently repeated the name.
"By the way, what are you up to these days?" Serena Sutton made enthusiastic small talk, like an old classmate bumping into another by chance, as if she had completely forgotten the unpleasantness of their younger days.
Joanna Kennedy smiled. "I’m an actress. Filming, making appearances, that sort of thing."
"Well, that’s nice. At least you’re not letting that pretty face go to waste."
Joanna Kennedy didn’t miss the flicker of contempt and ridicule in her eyes. She widened her smile, making it look even more sincere. "I think so too. After all, with a face like this, it would be a shame not to put it on the big screen."
"..." Serena Sutton’s smile faltered. "I haven’t asked yet—what brings you here today?"
’The lunchbox is so obvious, there’s no way she didn’t see it.’ Joanna told the truth, "I came to find Simon Lockwood. There’s a question I want to ask him."
"Ask him what?" Serena Sutton chuckled, no longer bothering to conceal her disdain. "Joanna Kennedy, I think you’re well aware that Simon stopped liking you a long time ago."
"Are you planning to pull the same old tricks? Pester him again like you did six years ago? That whole routine is useless now."
"How would you know it’s useless? Have you tried it?" When it came to verbal sparring, Joanna Kennedy never lost. No matter how insecure she felt inside, she would never let it show.
Serena Sutton’s feigned composure finally cracked. "Then you can just wait here."
With that, she stalked away in her high heels.
In the reception lounge, Joanna Kennedy sat alone in a corner of the sofa. The proud, untouchable expression she had worn just moments ago vanished. She bit her lip, the light in her eyes dimming.
[What question do you want to ask?] 166 piped up.
[...Ask him why he helped me.]
had guessed this would be her answer and said resignedly, [Didn’t you promise me you’d stick to the plot and stop thinking about the male lead? Why are you going back on your word?]
Joanna Kennedy frowned. [You lied to me too. You were the one who said Simon Lockwood would definitely end up with Serena Sutton. That’s the only reason I decided to break up with him. And now? They haven’t made any progress at all. This just proves you were wrong! The plot *can* be changed.]
’If the plot can be changed, why should I just hand Simon Lockwood over to someone else?’
’Six years ago, I had no choice. But now, I can support myself, and Simon Lockwood has built his own business empire. There’s still a chance.’
[But he doesn’t like you anymore!] 166 tried to make her face reality.
But Joanna Kennedy wasn’t listening. She stubbornly needed to know why Simon Lockwood had helped her.
「In the top-floor president’s office」
Serena Sutton smoothed her hair, knocked gently three times on the door, and then entered. She placed a file on the desk. "President, this is the bidding information I’ve compiled for the southern district land parcel."
"Mm, just leave it there."
Simon Lockwood’s long, slender fingers tapped away at the keyboard. His knuckles were bruised, the tell-tale marks of a fight, of fists clenched and thrown with force.
His expression was indifferent; he never once looked up.
Only at times like these did Serena Sutton dare to gaze at him. She knew Simon Lockwood wouldn’t notice.
He never deigned to spare a single glance for people or things he didn’t care about.
"Is there something else?" Simon Lockwood asked, his tone cold.
Serena Sutton hastily averted her gaze. Her tone became gentle, this time speaking as a suitor. "It’s almost noon. I’d like to treat you to lunch."
"No," Simon Lockwood refused without a second thought.
"Then let me... order lunch for you," Serena Sutton said hurriedly. "You shouldn’t eat in the employee cafeteria downstairs."
’Going to the employee cafeteria would mean passing the reception lounge.’
Meeting Simon Lockwood’s scrutinizing gaze, she blinked and offered a playful explanation, "Every time you go, it makes the staff a little uncomfortable."
Simon Lockwood’s brow furrowed. He clearly hadn’t considered that. "Just have Special Assistant Warren order something," he said smoothly. "You can get back to your work."
Her goal achieved, Serena Sutton didn’t press the issue and left with a smile.
Simon Lockwood’s gaze remained fixed on his laptop screen, his thoughts unreadable. A minute later, he buzzed his special assistant on the intercom. "She’s still in the reception lounge? She hasn’t left?"
