Chapter 799

Joanna's steps faltered.

She turned around, a faint, ambiguous smile curling the corner of her lips.

"What? Regretting letting me go?"

The speaker was Evelyn Ross.

Preston Valentine also whipped his head around, his gaze landing on Evelyn.

Evelyn looked at the two of them, her voice calm.

"I just feel like there's still a proper goodbye missing between you two."

As her words fell, Preston and Joanna's eyes met briefly in the air before quickly darting away.

Seeing this, Evelyn smiled slightly and walked to stand between them.

"Joanna, you actually like my fifth brother, don't you?"

Joanna froze.

Preston was also stunned.

Evelyn continued.

"If you didn't like him, when you made him choose earlier and he asked if you liked him, you could have simply answered 'yes'. Only if you liked him would he have possibly given me up for you. But you avoided that question."

She looked directly into Joanna's eyes.

"Why?"

Joanna pressed her lips together.

"I just didn't want to lie."

Evelyn shook her head.

"No, you didn't want to put him in a difficult position."

She turned to Preston.

"Fifth Brother, she does like you."

Preston remained silent.

Joanna's jawline tightened.

"What's the point of saying this now? It will only make him more conflicted."

Evelyn, however, shifted the topic.

"Scarlett, have you ever considered whether you can really win the heir position?"

Joanna's movements stilled, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Evelyn lowered her gaze, her voice soft.

"You were all dispersed to various countries twenty years ago, right? Back then, the assignments were likely based on strength. Aldoria, not just now, but even twenty years ago, was just a small country. That means the resources you were allocated back then weren't much, and your strength wasn't an advantage to begin with, correct?"

Joanna clenched her fist.

"So what?"

Evelyn looked up.

"Back then, no one expected China would leap to become an economic powerhouse. So, the 'Rabbit' side became the coveted prize, and you all wanted a piece of the pie. But how many have truly gained a solid foothold here?"

Natalie Castillo, munching on an apple nearby, added vaguely.

"Nope. The economic lifelines here have long been firmly in the Rabbit's hands. The five major families in New York only listen to her... The current cooperation ties are deep; outsiders can't get in."

Joanna's jaw tightened further.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Cooperate."

Evelyn extended her hand towards her.

"Let's cooperate. The feelings between you and my fifth brother are for you two to decide. But I think neither of you wants to see us become enemies on the battlefield in the future."

Joanna stayed silent.

Preston frowned deeply.

Natalie swallowed her apple, put her hands on her hips, and said.

"The Rabbit offering you cooperation is giving you face, don't be ungrateful! I know the one in M country is domineering, but our Rabbit is very reasonable. And, if you cooperate with her, you're cooperating with me!"

She puffed out her chest, full of confidence.

"When I inherit the Sterling Family, you'll all be great contributors. Don't worry, I'd never burn bridges; I'll definitely treat you well! Scarlett, think about it? We were even in the same class at the Sterling Family kindergarten when we were kids... I remember you were quite reckless back then, always charging ahead when something happened..."

Joanna's face darkened.

"Shut up!"

"Okay." Natalie obediently complied and took another big bite of her apple.

The juicy flesh split open, and a few drops of juice unexpectedly splashed onto Joanna and Preston's faces.

Joanna: "..."

Preston: "..."

Evelyn walked up to Joanna, her smile deepening.

"I have one more reason."

Joanna asked.

"What reason?"

Evelyn's gaze grew more focused, and she said softly.

"The reason is, you probably can't stay in Aldoria anymore, can you?"

Joanna's expression changed drastically.

Evelyn smiled.

"Before, when we went to Aldoria to pick up the Doctor, someone tried to stop us halfway. We thought it was you at the time... But I confirmed yesterday that you were at the Valentine residence that day and didn't do anything. It made me think, you came here five years ago. All these years, you've made yourself so... reduced, even needing to use a lowly servant's identity to enter the Valentine family... That indicates one thing."

She paused, enunciating each word clearly.

"You were driven out of Aldoria. Everything you built over the years was taken from you. Right?"

Joanna's face completely changed, her eyes fixed intently on Evelyn.

Evelyn smiled.

"Am I right?"

Joanna pressed her lips tightly together, not denying it.

Evelyn took a step forward, her voice clear and forceful.

"So, cooperate with me. I'll help you take back what rightfully belongs to you in Aldoria. How about it?"

Joanna took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on Evelyn's face for a long time.

Finally, she reached out and grasped Evelyn's hand.

"Deal."

Evelyn secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If because of her, Joanna and Preston missed their chance like this, it truly would be her fault.

She had already brought too much trouble to the Valentine family.

She didn't want to break up another potential match.

After their hands parted, Evelyn spoke.

"Then you and my fifth brother should have a good talk. Natalie, let's go."

Natalie: "Okay."

This "okay" was surprisingly docile, making Joanna glance at her involuntarily.

Natalie stuck out her tongue at her, made a funny face, and followed Evelyn out of the room.