"Steal my children?"
Joanna's icy eyes grew furious, and she sneered. 'I like to see if he's capable."
"I have faith in you, Joan. After all, Stellar Group has grown quickly under your supervision. This time, however, your opponent is none other than Ace himself. People are afraid of him because his methods are so evil. It will be tough if you actually fight with him."
Clara shook her head, concerned.
Ace wasn't easy to work with, and the Morans were no less challenging.
Joanna, despite her strength, had to fight her battle alone. Even with the Blackwoods' assistance, her prospects of victory were still slim.
"Why don't you stay there and never return? Aiden is so cute that I would be devastated if he took him away!"
"Impossible!"
Joanna exuded assurance. "Did you really think that I've simply been enjoying life all these years on that island?" she asked, a profound grin on her face. "If Ace tries to take my children away from me, it'll be me he'll be fighting with!"
She scowled and stepped firmly on the accelerator pedal as soon as she finished speaking. Being on the long, straight highway, the vehicle only sped up even more.
However, amid the top-speed run, the vehicle suddenly slowed and came to a stop on the side of the road.
"What the heck is going on? I just bought this car, and it's broken?" Looking at the condition of her vehicle, Clara was devastated.
She didn't know anything about automobiles, so she looked at the Ferrari, perplexed, not knowing what to do.
"I believe there is a problem with the engine. Sit inside calmly while I investigate."
Joanna remained composed throughout the ordeal. She fearlessly exited the vehicle after comforting Clara.
Then she opened the car's hood, propped it up with the stand, and leaned down to inspect the engine.
Her black hair naturally hung free, and her curvaceous figure was visible. She had the appearance of a model and was extremely attractive.
The combination of beauty and exotic machine became a divine sight under the brilliant sun, drawing the attention of many onlookers.
As the male drivers focused on her rather than the road, a large commotion began to brew, causing several vehicles to collide with each other's back ends.
"Do you need assistance, beauty?"
A guy with a large stomach got out of his BMW. His hair was slicked back, and he wore leather shoes.
Joanna pushed her bangs aside and ignored the guy, preoccupied with repairing the vehicle.
According to her observations, the engine must have heated beyond the capacity of the radiator, triggering an automated stop. It shouldn't be a huge deal, as long as the high temperature went down.
"Your car is broken. Don't spend your time attempting a repair. I'll give you a lift."
He spoke while placing his palm squarely on Joanna's arm with the lewdest face.
However, she merely glared at him and commented, "Take your hand off me."
"You don't have to turn down my generous offer. It's so hot right now that getting a cab will be difficult. You're going to get a sunburn. You won't look…"
Joanna pulled the man's arm and smashed the hood of the vehicle down on his hand without hesitation.
"Ah! My hand!" he shrieked in terror and pain as his palm lay clamped in the engine bay.
Joanna raised her long leg, her high heels firmly on the hood as she chuckled bitterly. "So, do you still want to give me a ride?"
"No, no. I no longer want to. Please release me!"
The guy was in so much agony that he was sweating profusely and crying out in desperation.
Joanna finally let go of him and warned, "Look in the mirror before trying to flirt with a girl. Get out of my way!"
"You're so cool, Joan!"
Clara, who was sitting in the passenger seat, glanced out the window as if watching a movie and said unsatisfactorily, "You're still too kind. A disgusting guy like him most likely enjoys harassing innocuous females. You should just break it!"
When the guy heard this, he almost peed his trousers and rushed away.
Joanna went back in the vehicle and said calmly, "It's enough to teach him a lesson. I have to keep it low-key so I don't reveal myself."
"OK, we'll keep it low-key!"
The racing car surged back to life and sped through the vehicles in the sun.
What they didn't know was that someone had photographed the entire incident from earlier.
The vehicle had halted a few hours earlier at Clara's private apartment in the city center.
Clara had only recently purchased it, and no one knew about it, including Liam.
"You're welcome to stay here in the meantime. It's safe and private. Even if you lived for ten to eight years, no one would know you were here."
Joanna couldn't help but chuckle when she heard this and questioned," You're being nonsense. So, even if someone attempts to kill me, I can just hide here, and they won't locate me?"
"I believe it is impossible for anyone to try to murder you given your abilities. Anyone who approaches you will only risk their own life!"
' Be honest. Do you have any secret plans to murder me?"
Joanna tickled Clara's underarm as she spoke. Clara was taken off guard and could only giggle as she was teased.
Although both of them were grown ladies, they were as immature as three- year-olds when they were together.
Joanna had a notion while they were playing and quickly got up to unlock her phone.
"What's the problem?" Clara combed her unkempt hair and inquired.
"I've been here for so long, but I haven't called my kids or Nancy yet. I'll do it right now."
Joanna started a video call with Nancy as she spoke.
"Yay, I get to see Aiden and Abby again!"
Clara was even more thrilled than Joanna. Leaning all the way over the phone, it was as if she wished she could see inside the phone screen.
The phone was answered.
"Mommy!"
"Mommy!"
Aiden and Abigail huddled together in front of the phone, greeting Joanna in their baby accent.
"Aiden, Abby, I arrived safely. How did you two behave? Do you miss me?"
Joanna looked at her two children on a screen, and their round and gentle features moved her heart.
' Mommy, I miss you," Abigail said softly, blinking her gleaming eyes. "Have you seen Auntie Clara? Did she miss me?"
"Of course, I miss you, Abby. Even in my fantasies, I want to squeeze that darling little face of yours," Clara said to Abigail affectionately.
Then, Joanna observed that Aiden seemed melancholic. "How about you, Aiden? Do you miss Auntie and me? Why are you so quiet?"