'You have Ace Moran's number? That's surprising."
Joanna was indeed surprised.
The Ace she remembered was distant, indifferent, and unfriendly. He would not give others his phone number easily, nor would he arrange work for his friends and relatives.
She did not expect him to take special care of his ex-wife's uncle!
While waiting for the call to be picked up, Elon said with some pride, "Well, we're family, and I'm his elder after all. He would at the very least show me this much respect."
Unfortunately, reality soon hit Elon in the face.
The phone rang for a long time without being picked up. He called again, but this time, it was instantly disconnected.
Joanna crossed her arms and couldn't help but snort. "Yeah, I can definitely see how much respect he's showing you."
"Ahem!"
Elon awkwardly cleared his throat and explained, "My nephew-in-law is a CEO, so he's a busy man. I'll call him again in the afternoon. He usually answers. Even if he doesn't show me respect, he'll show you respect."
"Elon, I'll remind you that Ace and I have been divorced for many years. Stop calling him your nephew-in-law. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. If you want to leech off him, I can't stop you, but don't drag me into this!"
Joanna's tone was very serious.
"I understand. I should have been more careful with my wording. It's my bad…"
Elon slapped his lips a few times and said humbly, "But you must let me treat you and Mr. Moran to a meal today. I've been feeling guilty about how I treated you and your mother for years. I've now turned over a new leaf.
From now on, I'll be a good father, a good husband, and a good uncle. If I don't treat you to this meal, I won't be able to make peace with myself. Please allow me this for your mother's sake."
Joanna looked Elon up and down without a word.
She could see that her worthless, lowlife uncle had changed considerably.
At least he was no longer wearing branded clothes even though he was poor. He was dressed in simple clothes now. Looking at his dusty appearance, he was probably working hard to support his family.
Elon was her mother's only sibling. She had always treated him like a son and had hoped that he would one day come to his senses and carry the Barnes family flag well.
When tragedy befell the Pierce family, Elon had cut all ties with the Pierce family because he was afraid he would get dragged into their problems, but if he really had turned over a new leaf, Joanna could still find it in her to forgive him.
Seeing Joanna remain silent for a long time, Elon cautiously asked, "Joan, are you unwilling to have a meal with Mr. Moran because you haven't gotten over him yet?"
Joanna smiled coldly. 'Do I look like I haven't gotten over him yet?"
'You do, actually!"
Elon analyzed her situation as an experienced man, "The matter between men and women is actually not a big deal. If you've gotten over it, you wouldn't care. You'd only act awkwardly if you haven't gotten over it…"
"You don't dare to see him. That means you haven't gotten over him… In that case, why don't I help you out a bit? I feel like Mr. Moran hasn't gotten over you either."
Elon's words made a lot of sense, and Joanna could not immediately find the argument to refute them.
She suddenly felt like she was being too childish, so she shrugged casually and said, "Fine, it's just a meal. I don't really care."
It was only a matter of time before they met anyway. Why not do it openly? She could also use this chance to return the amber pendant to him.
"Great! Your aunt and your cousin Mandy will definitely be ecstatic to see you again… Especially Mandy. You're her idol! She talks about you every day. She nags at me to find you so much that my ears are getting calluses."
"Mandy should be 18 years old this year, right?
'That's right. She turned 18 a few days ago. Her birthday wish was to see you again soon. Who knew it would come true so quickly!"
Joanna nodded. "Then, let's go. I really want to see Auntie and Mandy again."
Mandy Barnes was Elon's only daughter. When she was a little girl, she followed Joanna everywhere. She was very fond of Joanna.
Unfortunately, when Elon turned on the Pierce family, he forbade Mandy to keep in touch with Joanna, or the two of them would have been even closer.
Elon's house was located in an ordinary community in the Eastern Third Ring District, It was a house of about 80 square meters that had three bedrooms and a living room. It was an ordinary house, but it was very cozy.
When Joanna entered the house, her aunt, Hannah Johnson, was cleaning some vegetables in the kitchen, while her cousin, Mandy, was singing in her room.
"Guys, look who's here!"
Elon shouted with a booming voice and a smile on his face.
The mother and daughter came to the living room. When they saw Joanna, their eyes almost popped out in surprise.
"Ren! It really is you! I've wanted to see you for so long! This is awesome!"
Mandy gave Joanna a big hug and said excitedly, 'Joan, we haven't seen each other for about seven years. Where have you been? Dad goes to the cemetery every year, hoping to see you there. He said, no matter where you were, you would return to visit your parents' graves one day. And he's right!"
Joanna smiled. "You're all grown up now, Mandy. The last time I saw you, you were still a little girl!"
Mandy was eighteen years old this year. She was filled with youthful vitality.
"Auntie Hannah, long time no see."
Joanna greeted Hannah politely.
"Indeed!"
Hannah was a homely housewife. She wiped her hands on her apron, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I'm happy you're back."
"Make yourself at home, Joanna. Hannah, today is a special day. Please prepare some good wine and good food. Joanna's not our only guest today. Mr. Moran will also be coming later!"
Elon urged Hannah back to the kitchen to cook.
"What? Mr. Moran is coming too? But… but…"
Hannah was so nervous that she stuttered.
To them, Ace Moran was like a god living in the clouds, too high for them to reach. She would never have expected this god to descend to the mortal realm to visit their humble abode.
"But what? No matter what, Mr. Moran is Joan's ex-husband who has taken care of us for many years. Isn't it normal for him to come for a meal? Hurry up and go prepare the food. Make sure the meal's not too shabby or it would be embarrassing."
"Okay, I'll go right now."
Hannah marched into the kitchen like she was about to face a formidable enemy.
Mandy asked, ' Dad, are you sure Mr. Moran would come? He's a CEO while you're just a nobody to him. Why would he come to your house?"
"What do you know?"
Elon glared at Mandy and said, "Even if Mr. Moran wouldn't come here for me, he would come for your beloved cousin. Joanna has suddenly returned after disappearing for four years. Of course he would come see her."
Mandy nodded and said, "That's right. Although Mr. Moran is cold, he does take special care of our family. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have made it into the BC Arts Academy. I'm sure he hasn't gotten over Joan yet!"
The two father and daughter began to seriously discuss how much Ace couldn't get over Joanna. Their conversation made Joanna speechless. She did not chime in.
Time was the best medicine. It had already been four years. The bridge that connected them had long burned away. There was nothing one could not forget in four years.
Elon took out his phone and said, 'Til call Mr. Moran again. We'll find out soon enough."
This time, the phone rang only a few times before it was picked up.
A man's deep, cold voice came from the other end, "What's the matter?"