Chapter 800

After the two left, Joanna's gaze fell on Preston.

Preston's brow was tightly furrowed.

"Was everything my little sister just said true?"

Joanna was taken aback.

"Which part?"

"...All of it."

Joanna was silent for a moment.

"Mostly correct. Your little sister is not as simple as she appears on the surface. She's quite deep."

A proud look appeared on Preston's face.

"Of course. Everyone in the Valentine family is smart."

Joanna raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Preston glared at her.

"Of course! My parents both have high IQs. The genetic potential is there."

"Have you heard of a certain theory?"

"What theory?"

"Regression to the mean. Two exceptionally intelligent people often have children who are just average, rarely surpassing their parents. It's like a natural limit placed on humanity."

Joanna paused, lowering her voice.

"Sometimes I think Earth is like a prison. We are all exiles sent here. That's why the constraints placed on us are so severe. Do you know why the Sterling Family's descendants are becoming increasingly scarce?"

Preston was confused by her words.

"Huh? Why? Wait, are the Sterling descendants scarce?"

Joanna shot him a look.

"Your little niece, Chloe, must be protected. At the Sterling Family's peak, there were thousands vying for succession. Now? Only nine remain. We women underwent harsh training from childhood, damaging our wombs. PregSterlingcy was already difficult. The next generation will be even fewer. That little Chloe... who knows how many people are watching, wanting to snatch her away."

Upon hearing this, Preston's gaze instinctively swept over her abdomen.

Joanna immediately took a step back, looking at him warily.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. I just suddenly understand why, despite not taking precautions, you haven't gotten pregSterlingt. Natural contraception?"

Joanna's face instantly flushed red.

She trembled with anger.

"You... what nonsense are you saying!"

Preston shrugged.

"I'm just stating facts. What, someone like you who lies all day can't handle the truth? Fine, I won't say it."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Joanna stood there, her chest heaving.

She stormed forward a few steps, only to see Preston walking backwards, returning.

His eyes darted everywhere, avoiding her.

"I... I actually wanted to ask earlier. My sister said you actually have feelings for me, that saying you don't love me was just to avoid causing me trouble... Is that true?"

Joanna's steps halted.

She looked at Preston.

The man's ears were red, his fingers unconsciously picking at his pants seam, betraying his nervousness.

Joanna suddenly smiled.

"It's true."

"Oh."

Preston's eyes darted around, looking up, down, left, and right.

"Then I'll consider whether to forgive you or not."

Joanna nodded.

"Okay."

Preston coughed.

"I might not forgive you. You deceived me so cruelly."

"I know."

Joanna's smile deepened.

Preston turned to leave, took two steps, then retreated again.

"Until I make up my mind, you can stay in the guest room. No need to move out."

Joanna spread her hands.

"I can't leave anyway. Do you think your sister and that fox Natalie would let me wander around freely if I stayed?"

Preston grunted in agreement.

"Then stay put. If anyone in the house disrespects you, you can tell me."

"Understood."

Preston opened his mouth, wanting to say more.

Joanna raised an eyebrow.

"Anything else?"

"Nothing."

Preston tossed out these two words and quickly left.

Joanna watched his retreating back, the corner of her mouth lifting unconsciously.

The front hall.

Evelyn and Natalie were having breakfast.

Joanna and Preston emerged from the kitchen one after the other, walking over to them.

Joanna picked up a piece of toast, eating it as she looked at Evelyn.

"After eating, let's talk."

"Alright."

Preston immediately picked up his own plate.

"Then you can talk here. I'll make myself scarce."

The area around the dining table was open, suitable for discussing private matters.

Joanna quickly finished her toast and looked at Evelyn.

"The person who forced me out of Aldoria has the codename 'Clownfish'."

Evelyn's movements paused.

Natalie directly spat out a mouthful of milk.

"What? It's her?"

Joanna glanced at Natalie.

Evelyn looked at Natalie.

"You know her?"

"Not personally. The codename is just too distinctive, so I remember it. We attended kindergarten together as kids, but who knows who she is now. However, I remember Clownfish's personality clearly."

Evelyn pressed.

"What personality?"

"Hmm." Natalie nodded. "No one was like her. Even as a child, she loved to stir up trouble, enjoyed watching drama, and would be happiest if everyone started fighting. A complete troublemaker!"

Joanna also nodded.

"Right. Back then, the whole class disliked her. But..."

Joanna looked Evelyn up and down.

"Bunny, don't you have any impression of her at all?"