Ace didn't reply to Joanna's question but proceeded to survey the villa.
"The layout doesn't work. The hall is too cramped, the dome looks awful, and the staircase is too steep. It needs a complete renovation. The decorations are so ancient they look like leftovers from the Republican era. The carvings on the pillars at the entrance aren't exquisite enough, either. It's best you knock it down and start from scratch."
Ace continued to nitpick on everything about the villa in an arrogant tone, and Joanna was thoroughly confused.
Was there something wrong with this man? He still thought of himself as her husband, did he?!
"Do you have that much free time on your hands, Ace? Did you get a degree in interior design when I wasn't looking? You don't need to point out anything about my house!"
Ace was currently standing in the middle of the living room, staring hard at the landscape painting hanging on the wall and ignoring Joanna's moody words.
"This is a nice painting. It's the famous painting of a young shepherd boy singing a song in the evening, isn't it? If this were authentic, it would be very valuable."
Joanna was surprised at how perceptive Ace's eyes were when it came to art. She thought he was a businessman through and through and never expected that he'd be knowledgeable in literature and arts.
The painting was indeed the most valuable item in the entire villa, but no one knew that. Because of that, the painting. Evening Song of the Shepherd Boy, was never taken even though the home had
been ransacked many times. It was also her father's favorite painting, and Joanna would think of him whenever she looked at the painting hanging in the hall.
It was mystifying as she felt a sense of security she usually associated with her father when she looked at Ace's strong back. He was like a silent, unmoving mountain. She felt that her world was safe as long as he was around. Even if the sky fell, she wouldn't need to be afraid.
Oh my god. Joanna was going out of her mind! What was she even thinking?!
Nancy looked at Joanna, then at Ace, and she couldn't help but smile. This was the first time she saw Ace in person, and he was nowhere as cold–blooded or heartless as Joanna had portrayed him.
Based on his heroic rescue and how he looked at Joanna, it seemed this man was not as apathetic as Joanna claimed.
'Perhaps a misunderstanding led to their divorce…' Nancy thought as she watched the two.
"Are you done? If you're done, you should leave!" Joanna said rudely, trying to get him to leave.
Though she wasn't sure why the man had visited her, she was certain he didn't have any good intentions, so she might as well
chase him away as soon as possible.
"Miss Joan, you can't be so rude!" Nancy admonished. "Mr. Moran is a guest, and he just saved us. We should at least have
him stay for a meal."
Then, the older woman turned to Ace and said, "Mr. Moran, it's afternoon now, so why don't you stay for lunch? What do you usually eat? I can make almost any kind of cuisine, even Western! Just spill your preferences."
Ace turned and observed Nancy for a few moments. After a while, he seemed satisfied and started to make uninhibited orders. "I like seafood. Do you know how to make pan–fried salmon with watercress? Crab linguine is fine too. If you make soup, make sure it's not too thick…"
Joanna clenched her fist as Ace continued.
"Have you had enough, Ace? Do you think my house is a restaurant, ordering food like that?!"
She wouldn't stop herself from waving her arms wildly like she was chasing flies away as she tried to usher Ace outside. "Go, leave! You're not welcome here! I'm going to close the door!"
Ace was unmoving as he said coldly. "I don't need you to welcome me."
Then he turned to Nancy and continued, "It's fine as long as you welcome me, Madam."
Nancy was slightly stunned. She didn't expect the rumored cold and heartless man to have such a childish side and immediately played along.
"Yes, of course! You were once the family's son–in–law, either way, and you've also protected Miss Joan for many years! Let me show you what I can do for you today!"
After saying that, Nancy picked up the forgotten bag of groceries and walked into the kitchen, leaving Joanna and Ace to stare at each other awkwardly….
Joanna realized she was the only one who felt awkward. Ace seemed comfortable and acted as free as he was at home. It profoundly interpreted the quote. "It's only embarrassing if you care what people think."
Earlier, Charles smashed the stuff in the entire living room and made a terrible mess. Only the sofa area seemed to be
untouched.
Ace sat gracefully on the couch and crossed his legs. He asked Joanna, "How are you? Have you gotten used to your new place?"
"What do you think? This is my home. Why can't I get comfortable here?"
Joanna looked around and flashed a meek smile. "I'm finally home after four years of wandering. I have to say, home sweet
home!"
Ace's eyes turned slightly gloomy. He said quietly. "As you said, you have half of the property rights to Moran Villa. If you want to go back, you can move anytime. It's your home."
Joanna almost thought she had misheard Ace. The kind look on her face vanished, replaced by disdain.
"Ace, aren't you being a hypocrite? Remember when you made me move out overnight to make room for Alice? That's not what you said at the time."
A man's delayed affection was simply worthless. Besides, Ace was not actually in love with her. He needed her help.
Joanna knew why Ace came to her, but she kept quiet and refused to discuss it. She did not want to give him what he wanted!
"I was wrong before. I didn't expect Alice to be so unreasonable," Ace said, his disgust visible in his eyes. Thinking back, he did not have a good impression of Alice during their first meeting. She looked soft and harmless, though her complex eyes said otherwise. They seemed to be filled with cunning thoughts.
Unlike Alice, Joanna's pair of bright and clear eyes looked as pure as the water of a mountain spring amid a quiet valley.
Ace had to admit. He often felt that fluttering in his chest whenever he looked into Joanna's eyes.
"I didn't know she would ruin Moran Villa like this. If I had known, I wouldn't have allowed her to step foot in it."
Ace rarely stayed in Moran Villa, but he loved the sunflowers in the garden. However, the sunflowers were all gone, replaced by a field of boring roses.
It was not only the sunflower. All traces of Joanna's presence were gone, which made him inexplicably uncomfortable.
"Ah. So what?"
Joanna no longer had the patience to waste time with Ace. She directly exposed his intention and said coldly, "You know your lover is terrible. Even so, you still came for her, begging for my mercy."
"Aren't you the proud and almighty Mr. Moran? Why did you come to me? Would you lick your ex–wife's boot for a woman like her? Isn't that true love?"
Surprised by Joanna's intelligence, Ace let out a long sigh. "Yeah. I'm here for Alice today."
After a short pause, he said directly. "She's still in the hospital because she's still in shock. I want you to drop the case."
'I knew it!' Joanna thought. Ace was only here for Alice. Somehow, her heart still ached a little at this realization.
Joanna took a deep breath. "She stole and destroyed my belongings. The evidence is all there. Why should I drop the case?"
With Ace's status, he could easily get Alice out of trouble. But, unfortunately, the ruthless Joanna decided to send her lawyer, Zack. His law firm filed a suit, leaving Ace no time to react.
Even if Ace had the power, he could not openly defy the law. The only way to resolve this was to get Joanna to drop the case or Alice might very well end up in jail if the court so decided!
Ace's patience was gone. He looked annoyed. "Tell me. What do I have to do to make you let her go?"