Old Mr. Moran put down the brush pen and opened the desk drawer while saying these to Joanna. Then, he solemnly took out a rosewood box and handed it to Joanna.
"Joan, open it up."
Joanna took the box and opened it with care. Inside the box was a medal engraved with a dove of peace and a sword. Joanna turned to Old Mr. Moran with confusion. "Grandpa, is this…"
"Child, your grandfather gave me this before he died. This medal was dear to him and symbolized his heroic life. Now, I'm passing it on to you."
Old Mr. Moran sighed as he recalled the legendary life of his dearest friend. "Your grandfather was most worried about you before his death. He repeatedly told me to pass the medal to you three years after your marriage with Ace…"
"It's now the third year of your marriage. The medal carries your grandfather's blessing to you both. It'll bless you both with a happy ever after marriage!"
Joanna looked at the gold medal in her hand with teary eyes. It was as if she had traveled beyond life and death and felt the touch of her grandfather's rough but gentle palm.
"When Grandpa was still around, he was always worried about me. Although he's gone, soul is still watching over me. I'm such a useless granddaughter. I've always caused him trouble…"
She remembered her grandfather's last moments-he told her over and over again, urging her not to return to the dangerous and complicated circle. She did not have to be more capable or bring back the Pierce family's glory days-all he wanted was for her to spend the rest of her life as an ordinary woman. His last wish was for her to play the role of Mrs. Moran well. It was only then that he'd be able to rest in peace.
'But now, it's…' Joanna sighed and blamed herself for her weakness. She couldn't even fulfill the simple last wish of her grandpa.
It would be hard to control one's heart. She could take revenge and restore the Pierce family's glory, but there was nothing she could do about a man who did not love her.
Thus far, she had done her best. With no light at the end of the tunnel, her only choice was to give up without regret.
"Silly child. What are you saying? In our eyes, Joanna, you're a wonderful girl. How can you be useless?"
Old Mr. Moran looked at Joanna lovingly, his eyes full of admiration. "Besides… My grandson has been difficult since he was a child. The fact that you've tamed him proves you have something in you that other girls don't."
"Ahem," Joanna coughed lightly. She avoided Old Mr. Moran's gaze, feeling weak. She and Ace were already formally divorced. If Old Mr. Moran knew that, he would be enraged!
Joanna hurriedly changed the subject. "Uhm, Grandpa. I went on vacation with Ace and brought you some gifts. I hope you'll like them."
"Really? You're so thoughtful. Hurry up and show me."
Joanna brought out the local specialties she had prepared ahead. "We've got you some coffee beans, fruit tea, and coconut powder. These are all the specialties from abroad, and this…" Joanna opened a jewelry box, revealing a beautiful round pearl. It seemed to be shining. "This is a natural black pearl. The pearl took hundreds of years to develop and has absorbed the best of the earth and sea. It has remarkable healing energy. Keeping it in the room will give you a calming effect at home."
Although the vacation was fake, getting the pearl did cost her a fortune. It was her way of giving Old Mr. Moran a token of appreciation before she left.
"This is a really nice pearl. I like it."
Old Mr. Moran played with the large black pearl in his hand, visibly pleased and amused. His granddaughter-in-law was thoughtful and had good taste. This was one gift he really adored
"Grandpa."
At the same time, Ace's cold and low voice came outside the door. As Joanna turned around, their eyes met.
When the two left the City Courthouse, they went their separate ways as if they would never see each other again. Who knew they would meet again in just a few hours?
Without the marriage license restraining them, the way they looked at each other seemed to have changed slightly.
Old Mr. Moran's old eyes were filled with complicated emotions as his gaze traveled back and forth between the two.
"You two. You just came back from a vacation together. Shouldn't you be all lovey-dovey? Why did you come to visit me separately? Did you have a fight?"
"We're…" Joanna bit her lips, feeling torn. She was unsure if she should be honest or keep lying.
Things were different before they were officially divorced. Joanna could forge a lie without feeling the slightest guilt. Besides, she was not trying to deceive him. However, her relationship with Ace had changed so much that she found herself unable to pretend.
"We're so in love. How could we ever fight?" Ace said calmly and wrapped his arm around Joanna's shoulders. He behaved naturally and acted as though such intimacy had always been part of their daily routine.
Any outsider would immediately think that they were deeply in love!
Joanna's cheeks flushed. She followed with a fake smile and said, "Yes. How could we have fought?"
'We'd just get divorced!' she thought to herself.
"That's great." Old Mr. Moran nodded. Then, he turned to Ace and asked him, "Tell me, Ace. Did you have a good vacation? Where did you go?"
Joanna, afraid that Ace would let the cat out of the bag, tried to answer first. However, Old Mr. Moran stopped her. "Joan, I'm asking Ace. You stay silent."
Ace looked over the local specialties on the desk and was drawn to the bag of coffee beans. Then, he said with a straight face, "We went to Paris."
Joanna was speechless hearing his answer. Now at a complete loss for words, she simply gave up on him.
She was never on the same wavelength as Ace. France was what she'd consider a dream vacation spot, while his….
Paris?!
France and Paris were two completely unrelated places. Joanna did not know how to cover up their lies.
"Good one! Paris!"
Old Mr. Moran's kind look was instantly gone, and in place was a hard and stern countenance. "What a good grandson. You even lied with a straight face. You two must really think I'm blind and old!"
Ace tried to explain himself, "Grandpa, I…"
"On your knees!" Old Mr. Moran yelled in a rage.
If Ace's anger could be described as the roaring wind in a raging storm, his grandfather's rage would be like a nuclear bomb!
Old Mr. Moran was a great hero who once fought on the battlefield. Born with power, shake the room with his roar.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I shouldn't have lied to you."
Joanna knew her mistakes and felt guilty. She almost knelt obediently out of her filial love for the elderly.
Old Mr. Moran saw her actions and quickly stopped her. "Child, what are you doing? You'll hurt yourself, kneeling on the hard floor. I was telling this brat to kneel!"
Ace pursed his lips tightly and looked as cold as ever. He did not hesitate and knelt down immediately.
"Grandpa, I'm guilty. I'm willing to accept any punishment," replied Ace unflinchingly while lowering his eyes.
Old Mr. Moran had absolute authority over the Moran family. Ace had always looked up to his grandfather as a role model and had been respectful and dutiful to him. Ever since a child, he had always obeyed Old Mr. Moran's orders unconditionally.
However, his marriage with Joanna was an exception. He had to disobey him for once.
"You kid. You're quick at admitting your fault. In that case, I'll give you one last chance. Be honest with me. Apart from the vacation, what else are you two hiding from me?"
Ace looked down coldly and remained silent.
"Not saying anything, are you?"
Old Mr. Moran took a deep breath and showed a meaningful expression. "Even if you stay silent, I know what happened. I guess Joan must have suffered but dared not resist. That's why she gave me the pearl as a hint…"