That would make sense, but she still felt like something was off because it was too much of a coincidence.
"If you've got nothing to hide, then come clean to Clara about your relationship with Alice. If she takes it well, I won't say anything else on the matter," Joanna demanded.
Her biggest worry was that she was the reason why Clara was caught up in all this. Every time she met that woman, things went downhill.
"I know what you're worried about, and it's not something that I need to be reminded of. I will make sure to talk it out with Clara." William promised Joanna, his tone sincere.
"Fine, you better be honest about everything, and remember what you just told me. If you try any funny business, I'll make sure you regret it!" As Joanna hadn't caught WiIlian slipping up, she warned him again for good measure.
William walked away from the room. Clara, who had been waiting outside, rushed up to him. "How did it go with my best friend? Did you pass?"
"I think I got more than 80%",William said honestly.
"That's pretty good, you got this!" Clara cheered. No one understood Joanna like her. If William managed to get 80% of her approval, he had already passed her expectations.
William then held onto Clara's hand, and suddenly asked, "Clara, if one day, you were forced to choose between your best friend and me, who would you choose?"
"Is that even a question?" Without a moment's hesitation, Clara responded,' Of course it would be my dearest Joan. Don't even try to go for that spot, because you won't win!"
She didn't look like she was joking at all – she sincerely meant it. Even though Joanna always called her a lovesick fool, she was well aware that she needed to prioritize her best friend over any relationship.
If she had to choose, Clara would definitely pick her best friend over everyone. This was because there was a possibility that the men she dated would betray or hurt her, and her best friend would never do something like that.
"If Miss Pierce were to ask you to break up with me, would you do it?"
"I would."
"You'd believe whatever Miss Pierce told you?"
"I would."
A hint of dejection settled into William's features as he replied, "Oh, I see."
"You're acting weird today, why would you suddenly ask that question? What did Ren tell you?" Clara asked, noticing William's odd behavior.
"Nothing much, I was just curious." William's eyes shifted, secrets still hidden away in his heart, making him feel uneasy.
After William and Clara went their separate ways, he reached the basement parking lot. Sitting in his car, he dialed Alice's number.
"I've already given you what you want. So when are you going to keep your end of the deal?" He asked in a hushed tone.
Alice's voice over the phone didn't sound like her usual crazy self, nor did she sound weak or pitiful. Instead, a chilly voice responded, "What's the rush? Keep up the charade, I need to know where exactly those two brats are!"
William's expression seemed troubled. After a moment, he said, "Could you let me know what you plan to do to them?"
"Why are you asking so many questions!" Alice's gaze turned frosty and she snapped, "You know what I've been through! You were the one who told me you loved me, and would do anything for me. This is your chance to prove yourself, so don't you dare drop the ball on this. If this plan succeeds, I will give you anything you could ever ask for!"
'I…' William took a deep breath, his fists clenching as he responded, "I understand. My love for you is unshakable – even if the entire world turns its back on you, I will always stand by you."
Alice smiled in approval, her tone arrogant as she declared, "Don't you dare go back on your word. I, Alice, despise men who make empty promises."
"Oh yeah, since you've known that woman's best friend for so long, what other information have you learned apart from her having two kids?"
"There's no new info for now. Clara's being tightlipped about everything. She and Joanna have a bond so tight that she would do anything for her. If I start digging too much, I'd make her suspicious…"
Alice scoffed, a devious smile appearing on her face. "There is no such bond between friends. Whenever a guy enters the picture, they would turn on each other in an instant. What do you think she would say if her dearest best friend were to be caught trying to seduce her boyfriend?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean!" Alice's hands fisted tightly, her eyes full of hatred.
"I wouldn't have given a damn had that witch not shown up. Now that she's here, you bet I'll be taking my revenge. Anyway… Just hurry up and get to work already, stop beating around the bush. I can't keep sitting around waiting for her to get with Ace again."
For these past four years, she had acted like a madwoman, even going so far as to slit her wrists multiple times. She did all of this to gain Ace's pity and compassion, which allowed her to stay by his side, fair and square.
Little did she know that Joanna Pierce would come waltzing back. Hence, she decided that she would not show mercy this time.
She would give anything to teach her a lesson, and ruin her life.
A thought suddenly occurred to William. "Speaking of Ace, I heard some news about him from Liam. I'm not sure, but have you caught wind of it yet?
Alice scowled deeply. "What's the situation?"
"I've heard that when Ace went to save Joanna, he took a bad fall and is apparently in the ER. But when I dropped by the hospital to get an update, his whereabouts were unknown. Did you know that?"
"I wasn't aware of this. I don't think the Moran family knows about this either, or else they'd have caused a riot by now."
"That's a bit weird…" William stroked his chin and said thoughtfully, "Ace Moran is so famous that if anything had happened to him, society would definitely be buzzing by now, not to mention the Moran family. Unless…"
"Unless Joanna and her gang are up to something behind the scenes!"
Alice's face lit up with glee. "This is great info, just give me some time to do some research on this. If that woman really is behind this, her life will be over!"
At the Moran residence, the sun was just right, and the flowers in the garden were in full bloom.
Susan was in quite a good mood, a watering can in her hand as she watered a lily plant.