But, just because they laughed, it did not mean they did not make the connection to Joanne.

There was a journalist who had just remarked that Joanne had a style change, asking if it was because Brian liked it. Even though Joanne did not respond, Rosalyn's words felt very much las if it were targeted, insinuating something about Joanne.

Rosalyn's volume was just loud enough for Joanne to hear her clearly. But she acted nonchalantly, locking arms with Brian and wandering around the event hall.

All of a sudden, they saw Chris.

Ever since Freya left, Chris had been avoiding those kinds of occasions as much as possible. But he was present that day, and even with a young, pretty female partner. The young lady was definitely not over 22 years old.

Joanne's reaction was the same as Freya's when she saw Wendy for the first time-had Chris's taste changed?

But it did not feel right after thinking it over deliberately; she seemed to have seen that young lady somewhere before...

Chris had brought Wendy over. Wendy smiled at Joanne and Brian. "Cousin! Cousin-in-law!"

It struck Joanne all of a sudden; she remembered. The person she had seen before was not Wendy. It was her mother's photograph.

That time, Chris pointed to the young woman in the photograph and told her that it was his aunt. But she and that aunt had never met.

Only did she know after growing up that her aunt had already fallen out with Steven, even before she was born. The two had severed their sibling relationship. His aunt immigrated, and had never returned home since.

'What was Wendy doing here in the country?'

"I've come to Arlington University for a half-year exchange!" It was as if Wendy had seen through Joanne's lingering doubts, saying, "I'll be interning next year!"

Arlington University was Joanne's alma mater. Joanne felt more intimate with Wendy instantly, and asked her what was her major.

Having brought up her major reminded Wendy of her stubborn parents, pouting, "I'm studying medicine. Even now, being close to graduating, my mother is still persuading me to change my major and do a graduate's program. If it were not for cousin, I would have given in to my mother."

Joanne glanced at Chris. "Your Cousin Chris had also once stopped me from studying to become a medical examiner."

Chris wisely spoke up before Wendy could. Otherwise, he would have become the target of attacks. "Wendy, you stay with Joanne. Brian, let's go look for Patrick."

Wendy was naturally sociable. She grinned, holding onto Joanne's hand. "Cousin Joanne, I've seen a photograph of you before on Cousin Chris's phone. You look prettier in person, especially tonight!"

Joanne smiled. Then, the young lady cutely pleaded, "I want to go to the washroom. Cousin, come with me."

Patrick especially ordered two servants to take Joanne and Wendy upstairs, citing that the washrooms upstairs were less occupied and they would be spared from waiting.

Joanne waited for Wendy outside, and unexpectedly bumped into Rosalyn.

Rosalyn was clearly not avoiding her. She saw that the washroom door was shut, and directly walked over. She opened the windows, and lit a cigarette.

She never used to smoke. It only began after Brian and Joanne got married. She knew smoking was bad, but the thought of Joanne and Brian being together caused a pent-up misery to occupy her heart, which could only be relieved by a thin and long cigarette.

Rosalyn puffed a breath of smoke, and surveyed Joanne. "So he likes this type of cute little bunny dressing." Her tone was so cold; it was more disdainful than anything complimentary. What she meant was, 'Joanne could only rely on looks to attract Brian'.

"Ms. Han, you must be mistaken." Joanne smiled calmly. "The truth is, it doesn't matter how I dress. He likes them all."

The key was her, not how she dressed.

"Pft." Rosalyn sneered coldly. "You think you have a stronger backing than before. All just because he loves you, isn't it?

"Oh, that's not it." Joanne went all out to provoke. "It is because-he loves only me."

Wendy heard Joanne's reply just when she came out, and glanced at Joanne in astonishment. It was really unexpected to see that her cousin, who appeared to be such a little rabbit, could actually pull off such a domineering line, and very well done even.

"Wendy, let's go." Joanne did not wish to participate in that pointless squabble with Rosalyn any longer.

Wendy reacted in a moment. "Oh, okay!"

Watching Joanne's departing view, Rosalyn violently stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray. A sneaky shadow went down from the back of the wall. She could recognize that it was one of those tabloid journalists.

The second floor was out of bounds to uninvited guests. Who knew how this paparazzi managed to sneak in. He must have heard the conversation between her and Joanne just then.

Rosalyn was actually going to inform her manager, but just when she had taken out her phone, a man in a black windbreaker suddenly appeared.

The man's features were distinct and handsome, surprisingly comparable to Brian or Chris. His healthy bronze complexion and overly sharp contour would make anyone feel uncomfortable and threatened.

With a cigarette clasped between his rough fingers, he leaned against the wall looking at Rosalyn, like a fearsome beast which had found a new prey.

Rosalyn had been used to being high and mighty, so being surveyed by that stranger had thoroughly made her uncomfortable. She was about to leave when he said, "Ms Han, let's talk."

"You think anybody could just talk to me?" Rosalyn sneered. "Scram!"

"You like Brian." Rowdy spoke Rosalyn's mind so nonchalantly.

These words froze Rosalyn on the spot. She glared intensely at Rowdy.

Rowdy shifted into a more casual posture. It was as if his eyes could see through Rosalyn. He said, "This isn't any secret in your industry. The media knows about it. To uphold your image, your manager has exhausted all means to suppress the news reports."

Rosalyn grew alerted. "Are you tring to threaten me?" she derided. "If you thought so, then you've gotten the wrong person!" And she was about to walk away.

"Ms. Han, you're mistaken." Rowdy said, "I just wanted to help you. Oh, or rather, it would be more suitable to say that I would like to work with you."

Rosalyn locked her gaze on Rowdy.

She had met too many men, and could judge with a single glance, whether they were truly capable or not.

The man before her, was capable indeed. But it was not like Brian's type of a business competency. It was mysterious. She could not make sense of it.

However, as long as it was good for her, she did not care who it was.

"Speak on," Rosalyn said aloofly.

"You want Brian, while I am going to win Joanne for sure. We both want to separate them." Rowdy smirked. "Say, shouldn't we work together?"

"You are interested in Joanne too?" Rosalyn laughed scornfully. "What's so good about her?"

"You are jealous. You will dismiss wholeheartedly anything I say." Rowdy walked towards Rosalyn. "So, we do not have to discuss about how good Joanne is. Now, give me an answer. Do you want to work with me?"

Rosalyn was clear that the man was very dangerous. She would be ruined if anything went wrong.

But she recalled those words Joanne had uttered, "No, it is because-he loves only me."

That was clearly a very arrogant woman. Yet, her smile appeared to be so naive and harmless, like a pristine little white flower under the sunlight, so beautiful that it made her feel like... wanting to violently tear that smile apart.

Jealousy had suppressed her sense of vigilance and fear. Rosalyn raised her hand towards Rowdy.

Rowdy shook her hand. "My name is Rowdy."

"Whatever your name is doesn't matter." Rosalyn said, "What are you going to promise me, to ensure that you can help me without jeopardizing my reputation? I am a public figure. I cannot have any scandals, you know."

"You want my guarantee?" Rowdy smiled, his gaze turned cold instantly. "Woman, differentiate clearly between showbiz and reality. You may be powerful and dominating in the entertainment business, but in my eyes, you're nothing. At most a beautiful entertainer. You don't deserve my guarantee!"

Rosalyn hated the most when people described as her an "entertainer". She was so filled with hatred but had no choice but to tolerate. The man was much more crueler than her. She could not get confrontational with him.

Rowdy lifted Rosalyn's chin disdainfully. "Rather, I need you to guarantee that you'll never betray me."

Rosalyn looked proud as always, "How do you want me to guarantee?"

Rowdy smirked. "You'll know in the future." He placed a note in Rosalyn's palm. "My number. Contact me if there's anything."

Rosalyn took the note and stuffed it in her purse, then headed downstairs.

She did not notice at all that Rowdy had silently sneaked a hand in her purse when they physically brushed by each other.

Her cigarettes had been substituted.

The event hall downstairs.

Joanne and Wendy went downstairs. A young gentleman was chatting up Wendy. She "unintentionally" mentioned that her boyfriend also liked the same brand of suit he was wearing very much. The gentleman left in resentment.

There would be evident traces telling of whether someone had a boyfriend. Joanne looked at Wendy doubtfully. "You... really have a boyfriend?"

Wendy stuck a tongue out. "Nah." "The type of dogs I like have not appeared. The one that have appeared are not my type. Therefore I have been single for 22 years."

Joanne recalled that Brian and Chris would probably be acquainted with numerous young elites, so she asked casually, "Then, what's your type?"

"Um..." Wendy pondered carefully. "Can't be younger than me! I want the sort who is reliable and humorous. He knows how to whisper sweet nothings, but not sweet-talk to deceive little girls!"

Before Joanne could shortlist a suitable candidate in mind, Brian suddenly came over and took her by the hand. "Come with me. Don't go anywhere alone."

"What's the matter?" Joanne was startled.

Brian said, "Rowdy is here."

Joanne subconsciously combed through her surroundings, and coincidentally saw Rowdy coming down from the stairs. Steven was around too. He must have been worshipping Rowdy; introducing Rowdy to every single person he met as the Mr. Kent who had invested in Scott Group.

To have resuscitated Scott Group with such a resounding sum of money, was the person that everyone had joked about being the God of Fortune. Now that the God of Fortune had made a personal appearance, so young and extraordinary. Everyone was of course happy to get to know him. Rowdy greeted and toasted with everybody as well. It seemed that he had noticed Joanne looking at him, and thus smiled at her. He raised his glass, and downed it at once-

Uncertain whether it was the cold gust of wind from outside, Joanne's spine grew chilly.

Something in her urged that Rowdy's smile... was not simple.

Wendy stayed with Chris. Joanne pulled Brian out, and unexpectedly ran into a group of journalists gathered together. When they saw them, one of the journalist immediately ran over. She could not leave at that moment, even if she wanted to.

The journalist asked candidly, "Mrs. Lambert, were you quarreling with Rosalyn on the second floor just now?"

Joanne was stunned for a moment. She immediately understood-her conversation with Rosalyn earlier on had probably been overheard by that journalist.

She smiled, sounding doubtful, "Quarrel? No, we had just met by chance, and chatted casually."

'Who chats like that', the journalist persisted. Joanne was able to dismiss each question skillfully, and finally found an excuse to walk away with Brian.

Not long after, Brian asked, predictably, "What happened?"

Joanne knew it would be hard to deal with Brian, so she decided to be honest with him. Then she emphasized with a face of innocence, "I didn't want to care about her! She was the one who provoked me first! If someone was going to bite you, it's not like you would stupidly allow her to bite, right?"