Chapter 279

A silence settled between us.

Kathy didn't seem to mind, lying there and chatting with the waiter about her sore shoulder, asking him to press harder.

I picked up the conversation and said to Joanna, "What's up? Spill it."

Our questions seemed to have moved Joanna.

She sighed softly, "It's not that he's bad to me... but it feels like there's no spark anymore. Neither of us really cares about what the other is doing."

"After our last talk, I went home and tentatively asked my parents what they would think if I got a divorce."

Joanna had always been a bit rebellious since she was a kid. But because of her family's constraints, she had always walked the straight and narrow, never doing anything too outrageous.

However, you could often see that rebellious streak in her.

For instance, back then, because she hated mistresses, she helped me with so many things.

In my heart, Joanna was a bit of a chivalrous woman.

"Anyway, I know it would be really hard for me to get a divorce. Unless Ronnie did something really bad, but our issues haven't reached that level. In short, it's very difficult right now."

As Joanna spoke, she suddenly called over the waiter.

"Where's the wine I prepared? Go get it for me."

She smiled at us, "Last time we met for dinner, we didn't drink much. Today, we should drink to our hearts' content."

"This wine, I had someone bring it back from outside. It's really fragrant."

Kathy and I sat up, "So you planned a drinking session for us today? We thought we were just here for facials."

Joanna laughed heartily, "You guys aren't leaving until we're all drunk!"

She didn't bring up the previous topic again.

But thinking about her family's attitude, I could understand.

Joanna's father was a prominent figure. Joanna's wedding had been a grand affair, and Ronnie was doing quite well for himself. It would be embarrassing for anyone if something happened now.

As I was lost in thought, Joanna let out a yelp.

The wine was sealed in a ceramic jar, and she accidentally cut her finger while opening it with a knife!

I quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her hand and asked the waiter to get a first aid kit.

But then, an idea struck me.

Didn't Royce say it would be best to get Joanna to do a check-up or get a blood sample?

Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?

Even though I was a bit nervous, I quickly used the spatula from the face mask set to collect a bit of her blood while she wasn't paying attention.

Kathy noticed my actions and reacted quickly, taking a small bag from the first aid kit and hurriedly putting the blood sample inside.

We managed to collect the blood sample right under Joanna's nose.

"I need to take a call..."

Kathy left with the blood sample, leaving me to tend to Joanna's wound.

I knew she was probably going to find Simon.

On our way here, Kathy and I had contacted Simon, saying we would play it by ear.

Originally, we planned to talk about recent health issues during the spa session and then take Joanna to a therapy center we had arranged, where we would switch things up and get her checked.

But now, we had an unexpected opportunity.

My heart was still racing when Kathy returned.

Kathy shook her hands and wiped them with a disinfectant wipe, giving me a knowing look.

"Alright, I'm going to wash my hands too."

We weren't sure if Joanna was in trouble, so we couldn't let our guard down.

While treating her wound, I was careful not to touch her blood.

It was only when I washed my hands in the spa's restroom that my heartbeat finally slowed down.

It was almost too easy.

And Joanna, being so smart, didn't seem to notice anything, which meant Kathy and I had done a good job.

A message from Simon popped up on my phone.

[You two were quick. The blood sample is still good. I've already sent it to the hospital.]

He was fast!

Feeling relieved, I quickly reported the good news to Royce.

Royce praised our quick thinking and said he would contact Simon to keep an eye on the test results.

With that, we made some progress on Joanna's situation.

Kathy and I relaxed, enjoying the rest of the drinking session and chatting with Joanna.

After a few drinks, Joanna opened up more.

"Let's just take it one day at a time... I'm busy with my store now, and honestly, I don't want to dwell on those things for now."

The wine she brought was indeed delicious.

Before we knew it, Kathy and I were a bit tipsy and decided to stay the night.

The day passed quickly. Joanna got up to talk to her staff, and Kathy and I huddled together, still a bit drunk.

Just then, my phone rang.

Royce was calling, asking me to step outside.

Now?

I was still in my spa clothes, but I wondered if he had something important to tell me.

Luckily, I had worn a coat today. I threw it on and stepped out.

Royce was leaning against the hallway wall.

"What are you doing here?"

The spa's target clientele was women, so he seemed out of place.

Maybe that's why Royce kept his eyes down, trying not to look around.

"Look up. This floor is for SVIP members. It's just us today."

I pulled my coat tighter.

But the spa had heating, and it was warm inside, so I loosened my coat a bit.

The spa clothes were thin, and Royce glanced at me, his ears turning red.

At first, I didn't notice and asked why he was here. It wasn't until I saw his shifty gaze that I looked down at myself.

The outfit was quite revealing, meant for massages...

I blushed, "Don't look."

"Sorry, couldn't help it," Royce replied quickly.

I was a bit annoyed, "Then try harder!"

Royce suddenly stepped forward and kissed my cheek.

"Just had a facial? Your skin feels great."

After the brief kiss, he said that to me.

I could feel my face getting even hotter...

Sneaking a glance at Royce, I saw he was wearing a coat too.

A black coat, gray shirt, and matching suit pants. He wore custom-made shoes and looked incredibly handsome.

In that moment, I suddenly understood why Yvonne was so obsessed with him.

Maybe I had liked Royce just as much back then.

"What are you thinking about?" Royce tapped my nose.

I shook my head, "Nothing."

"Are you not going home tonight? I came to take you out for dinner."

"I'm not going back. Kathy and I are going to chat more with Joanna."

Thinking of this, I quickly asked, "By the way, what about the test results with Simon? It's been a day."