Everyone froze!
No one expected that Joanna, who looked gentle and docile, would have this side to her.
"My husband is such a perfect man. Let's see who's blind enough to dump him!"
When she said this, she wrapped her arms around Ace's affectionately, expressing her desire to defend her husband.
But of course, it was mere pretense.
Regardless, out of curiosity, she wanted to confirm if her guess was correct.
Sure enough, the elegant lady sitting on the couch lowered her head sheepishly.
Christopher's expression was also somewhat stiff.
Ethan seemed to care a lot about the woman and immediately retorted surly, "It doesn't matter who dumped her. Since she is Ace's first love, she must be a hundred times more perfect than you in every way! It is important to know one's weaknesses. You and Ace are not even from the same world and you can't see eye to eye. Why did you still marry him, knowing that? You're doing him and yourself a disservice!"
Christopher's soft gaze turned slightly cold. His tone was light but very oppressive. "Ethan, enough!"
Ethan continued on like a kid instead, "Well, am I not right? This girl can't compare to Emily."
Emily?
Joanna raised her eyebrows slightly, guessing that this beauty on the sofa should be Emily.
"Ethan, stop joking around. Don't scare our new friend."
Emily finally raised her head and waved graciously at Ace and Joanna, with a warm and gentle smile on her face. "Ace, it's been a long time."
"Indeed, long time no see."
"Ace, are you still angry with Christopher and me?" She knitted her eyebrows slightly and revealed a sad face. "It's all my fault. It was me who was clueless, not knowing how to tell friendship and love apart that I wavered between the two of you and caused a rift between the two of you. I'm so glad you're here today!"
"Let's not talk about the past anymore."
Unlike the woman's excitement, Ace's attitude was lukewarm. There were not many emotional changes on his charming face.
This feeling of estrangement was as if the two were only acquaintances who had not even spoken a few words.
Ethan could not stand it and said loudly, "Man, I really respect you guys. It's just a relationship that has ended. There is no need to be like this, right? We are friends who grew up together. Let's not make it so awkward just because of the past."
The crowd echoed.
"Yeah, we are all friends. Now that Mr. Clarke and Emily's relationship is stable, and Mr. Moran and his wife also seem to love each other, it's a happy ending for all!"
Therefore, under the coaxing of everyone, Ace and Joanna sat down next to Christopher and Emily.
Gee, what a scene!
Joanna looked at Ace on her right and then at Emily on her left. What was with the excitement she was feeling?
His first love had dumped him and got together with his best friend? And gosh, as the victim, he was actually forced to come here to reconcile with them? Weren't they just bullying him?
It was unexpected that Mr. Moran, who usually looked cold, ruthless, and bold, actually had such a heartbreaking past.
No wonder he insisted on dragging her to this place unprecedentedly and even offered her such a high fee to act. If he were to come alone, how devastated would he be?
Joanna suddenly had a feeling that she was entrusted with a great responsibility as his actress, and the burden on her shoulders had become heavier.
'Don't worry, ex-husband-to-be, since we are in the same camp of those who were cheated, I'll help you win the game tonight.' of those who cheated or of those who were cheated?
Thinking about this, she smiled and looked at Emily, and said, "Miss Emily, I must thank you tonight."
Emily was slightly taken aback, "What do you mean by that?"
"Thanks for not realizing how wonderful my husband is, and leaving him. That gave me an opportunity to be with him. You have no idea how perfect my husband is. He is so handsome and such a family man. Not only does he give me all his money, but he is also a good cook. I really am very happy!"
When she said this, she lovingly leaned on Ace's shoulder.
Ace, on the other hand, sat there stiffly, with a mixed expression. He did not expect this woman to go so far, that he did not know whether he should be angry or laugh.
He leaned and moved his mouth close to her ear, as if displaying their affection, but in fact, he was saying, "Take it easy. Your acting is too fake."
Emily clenched her fingers a little when she saw this and failed to hide her disappointment.
Seeing this, Ethan challenged Joanna. "Of course, you have to thank Emily. Do you know who she is? If she had not given way, when will it be your turn?"
"Oh? Who is she?"
Joanna was really curious about it.
"Hah, you'll be shocked when you find out!"
Ethan said proudly, "Do you know Garden City University? Emily studied Biochemistry there, their most difficult subject. When she presented her research paper, she was even awarded the first prize in the shadows Competition!"
"Wow, you're really an outstanding student, Emily!"
The crowd cast adoring glances at Emily. It was not that their reaction was exaggerated, but in fact, it was because it was very rare for those who were born with a silver spoon to excel in academics, so being a Biochemistry top student was a feat to them.
Emily smiled lightly and said softly, "It's not that I am good, it's just that I happened to pick the topic that the judges liked."
"Don't be so humble. You should just admit it if you are good!"
Ethan put his hands into his pockets and looked at Joanna pompously, and asked, "Do you know what Biochemistry is? I guess a housewife like you, who never leaves the house without her husband, must have never heard of it."
Joanna laughed and shook the orange juice in her glass, ignoring his insult.
She looked at Emily and asked tentatively, "Is your award–winning paper "The King of the Dome of the Sky – On the 'Love and Death' of the Solar Emissive Layer and the Troposphere"?"
The smile in Emily's eyes disappeared and she looked at Joanna with some surprise. "That's the one. Could it be that you've read it and also studied Biochemistry?"
"Hahaha, what a joke!" said Ethan disdainfully, "She's a housewife who reads recipes. How could she possibly understand such an advanced academic paper?"
At this moment, Ace, who had been silent, said nonchalantly, "Of course, she can read it."
The crowd's eyes widened in astonishment.
Ace unhurriedly took a sip of wine and said expressionlessly, "Because she is one of the five anonymous judges of the Shadows Competition."
"What?!"
They shouted in shock and their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Emily found it even more incredulous. "Could it be that you are the most mysterious judge of the Shadow contest?"
"It's all in the past. There's nothing to brag about."
Joanna smiled awkwardly while glancing at Ace.
She had not revealed this hidden identity to the public, so how did this guy know about it?
"Coincidentally, my wife is also a top student who studied Physics, Electrical engineering ," said Ace while raising his eyebrows and smiling faintly, "Anyway, it is not much use, it is just that it's always good to have more skills."
Um…
this was being a bit of a humblebrag.
The crowd fell silent immediately.
"You are really impressive."
Christopher looked at Joanna with eyes full of admiration.
He knew that Ace would not have simply married a useless woman.
Emily lowered her head, a little frustrated.
No matter where and when, she was always the best and the one in the limelight.
She was very proud of her identity as a top student, but in front of Joanna, who was a judge, it was not worth mentioning.
Ethan had wanted to support Emily, but now he was making her look bad.
He frowned and thought for a while, and then said, "It's not a big deal if you are only good at your study, but Emily is an all–rounder, which is much better than you, a nerd. If you beat her in this category, I will kneel before you!"
Joanna was speechless.
'Hey, is he going to stop? Why must he keep pestering me?'
Ethan acted like a kid and challenged Joanna. "Do you dare to take out your phone?"