Chapter 98 - 97: I Quite Like This Setup
She rubbed her eyes, and her hand paused against her skin as she finally noticed something was wrong.
A silver bracelet, one she couldn’t have been more familiar with, encircled her wrist.
Joanna Kennedy was stunned, staring at it blankly for a long time.
’When did I put this on? Did I do it myself?’
’Impossible. I clearly put it in—’
Joanna Kennedy’s thoughts stuttered for a moment as everything from last night flashed through her mind.
Simon Lockwood’s sudden outburst, his questions, his tormented conflict, and that barely perceptible... guilt in his eyes. So she hadn’t been mistaken. It all made sense now.
Simon had put the bracelet back on for her.
Joanna Kennedy didn’t know what to feel. After a brief moment of panic, a sense of resigned relief washed over her.
’He found out, so what. I already made a complete fool of myself last night anyway, what with the confession and explaining everything.’
Wait!
Joanna Kennedy finally realized it. She had actually told him about the system and the tasks last night!
Joanna Kennedy was speechless. ’Oh, good heavens.’
’Simon... he doesn’t think I’m crazy, does he?’
With these complex feelings swirling inside her, Joanna Kennedy left her bedroom to get something to eat. The moment she opened the door, she was greeted by the fresh aroma of food.
A slight noise came from the kitchen. Joanna Kennedy froze where she stood. Just then, the man emerged, carrying a plate with a freshly made sandwich.
Simon Lockwood was still in last night’s clothes, his shirt slightly wrinkled. Seeing her, he paused for a moment, then placed the plate on the table. His expression was placid. "Go wash up. Time to eat."
Simon Lockwood’s tone was so natural that Joanna Kennedy wondered if he had amnesia. She hurried over, about to ask him about it,
but Simon walked around her and went back into the kitchen.
Joanna Kennedy was left speechless.
She had no choice but to go to the bathroom. She quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face. When she came out, the soy milk was already poured, steaming and fragrant.
"About last night..." she began, choosing her words carefully.
Simon Lockwood took a sip of soy milk and slowly interrupted her. "You’re twenty minutes late. I’m keeping track."
Joanna Kennedy was silent.
"No, that’s not what I’m talking about, agh!" Joanna grew anxious. She stuck out her wrist, revealing the bracelet, and stared at him expectantly, trying to jog his memory.
Two seconds later,
Simon Lockwood asked calmly, "What’s wrong? You don’t like it?"
’Is this really a matter of liking it or not?!’
"I told you everything there was to tell last night. You really just believe it all? You’re not going to ask me anything else?" Joanna couldn’t believe a normal person could be this accepting.
But Simon replied coolly, "Not planning on it."
Joanna was speechless for a moment, but she wouldn’t give up. She demanded, "Don’t tell me you don’t remember what I said at all?!"
"System? Tasks? 166? Vicious female supporting character? Or Maximus?" Simon Lockwood’s expression didn’t change. He finished the entire glass of soy milk, wiped the corner of his mouth, and lifted his gaze. "Those were the ones, right?"
"......Yes." Joanna managed to squeeze out.
Simon Lockwood nodded. "I understand."
’You understand, and you’re this calm?!’ Joanna was dumbfounded.
Simon seemed to read the question in her expression and said unhurriedly, "I quite like this setup."
Joanna: "???"
"According to you, if you don’t want to die, you’re bound to me for life." Simon’s tone was half-joking, half-threatening. "Joanie, be a little more obedient from now on."
Joanna: "???!!!"
Her expression gradually went numb. With a groan, she suddenly thudded her forehead onto the table.
’I regret everything! I never should have told Simon anything! Great, now he has me completely wrapped around his little finger!’
’Simon, that dog!’
Anger surged in Joanna, and she started flinging wild accusations. "Who said you could touch my things! Don’t you know you’re not supposed to go into a girl’s room?!"
’This is all the bracelet’s fault. If I had known, I would’ve kept it on me!’ Joanna was filled with regret.
Simon glanced at her coolly. Joanna glared back, lowering her voice into a breathy whisper, "What are you looking at!"
Simon: ".........."
He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Joanie, act normal."
The man wore an expression of helplessness, as if he had no choice but to indulge her.
In a daze, she saw in him the boy from six years ago.
A bittersweet feeling filled Joanna’s heart, but the corners of her lips curved up high, her eyes crinkling with smug satisfaction.
"My name is Joanna Kennedy," she informed him seriously. "Not Joanie."
The girl’s eyes were clear and bright, and as she spoke, her face was full of playful arrogance, just like that headstrong young lady from years ago.
Simon turned his head away, the corner of his lip twitching into a small smile.
Soft sunlight filtered through the glass, slowly blanketing the living room. Outside the window, the gradually yellowing sycamore leaves swayed in the wind. That summer had passed, but from now on, every summer would be a beautiful one.
The drive from the apartment to the villa was short, taking only about ten minutes. During the ride, Simon Lockwood took a call, his expression placid. "Investigate it thoroughly. Gather all the evidence."
After he hung up, Joanna asked, her face full of curiosity, "Investigate what? Gather what? Is something wrong with your company?"
Simon: "........."
"Are you hoping for it?"
Joanna frowned and chided him, "Look at you, so sensitive. I was just asking out of concern, and you’re already overthinking it. Hmph, I won’t ask anymore."
The girl crossed her arms and turned her face to look out the car window.
Simon raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "You really want to know?"
’He’s acting all mysterious again.’ Joanna wasn’t going to indulge him. She raised a finger and wagged it back and forth. "Nope. Not at all."
Simon nodded and said no more.
Joanna: "???"
’I say I don’t want to know, and you actually stop talking?!’
’Fine, fine, fine. The days of pure, innocent love are over.’
When they arrived at the villa, Joanna huffily started to unload her own luggage. The man stood behind her and effortlessly lifted the suitcase away.
Before Joanna could cause a fuss, he began to explain unhurriedly, "There’s a potential collaboration at the company. Jennings Group has shown interest, so I had Jack Warren look into their financial situation. He found some irregularities."
This was his way of answering Joanna’s earlier question.
Joanna harrumphed twice, her words not matching her feelings. "I didn’t want to know anyway. Why are you telling me?"
"Mm, you don’t want to know," Simon agreed readily.
Joanna had thought Simon would have her stay in the master bedroom and was all prepared for it. To her surprise, he took her luggage into the guest room next door.
The guest room was spotlessly clean. There were several potted plants on the desk, and the closet was filled with brand-new women’s clothing.
Joanna paused for a second, then asked directly, "You don’t want me to stay in the master bedroom?"
Simon, who was making the bed for her, paused. His expression didn’t change, but his tone grew serious. "Joanie, be good."
Joanna frowned, confused. "What does that mean? Aren’t we boyfriend and girlfriend now?"
She swore that if Simon was still going to be ambiguous, she would slap him.
Simon straightened up and stared at her. "We are."
"Then why can’t we sleep together?"
"......"
Simon’s heart skipped a beat. He was so tempted to drag the girl straight to bed, but he restrained himself. In a serious tone, he said, "Because, starting tomorrow, you’re going to study and retake the college entrance exams."
Joanna was rendered utterly speechless.