Chapter 259

Simon and I both stared at Royce, trying to figure out what he was getting at.

"If Maeve's really got something going on with Ronnie, and considering what she said to you that day, could Ronnie be in on the whole plan too?"

I looked at Royce, completely lost. "What plan?"

He gave me a serious look. "What other plan? The whole Brandon situation!"

Simon slapped his thigh. "Man, you always connect the dots! I knew I was missing something..."

"Ronnie's not just some random guy. With his position and Aria's recent promotion, how could he end up with someone like Maeve?"

"There's gotta be another link between them..."

Simon trailed off, and Royce and I both said at the same time, "Could it be a honey trap?"

I had to admit, based on Maeve's Facebook and what I saw that day, she could definitely be the 'honey' in a honey trap.

Any guy who didn't know her situation could easily fall for her looks.

Royce said, "Since we suspect this, we can't just go straight to Joanna."

"But Joanna's my friend. If there's a chance she could be in danger... I can't just keep quiet. I'm scared something might happen to her."

I was torn.

Royce spoke up, "We can't rush this."

"We need to figure out how long Maeve and Ronnie have been involved. If it's been a while, we should get Joanna to the hospital for a check-up first..."

Simon got anxious. "You were just saying how smart you are, and now you can't see the obvious? Joanna's a smart woman. When you got divorced, we took her to the hospital for a check-up. Joanna knows everything."

"If we suddenly ask her to get checked, won't that give everything away?"

Royce was silent for a moment, then turned to me.

"If that's the case, there's only one way."

I looked up. "What?"

In such an important matter, my feelings for Royce vanished.

I knew that to resolve this and move forward, I needed Royce.

Royce said seriously, "In the next few days, find a chance to meet Joanna and talk."

"Feel her out and see if she knows about Ronnie."

I shook my head. "She's very perceptive. If she hasn't divorced yet, she definitely doesn't know."

"Then test her feelings for Ronnie and see how she would react to any potential surprises. Her attitude is crucial; otherwise, we can't move forward."

Royce seemed a bit anxious, speaking a long paragraph to me.

I was overwhelmed but nodded.

"Got it. I'll arrange to meet her."

They were right; Joanna's attitude was the most important.

But right now, I was exhausted.

Simon left shortly after, reminding me to keep this secret and not tell anyone.

He said he'd help investigate further.

I nodded, closed the door, and heard footsteps.

I had been so focused on Joanna that I almost forgot Royce was still in my house.

I turned and asked, "Are you leaving too?"

Royce was walking towards me but stopped at my words.

A few steps away, he looked at me with a half-smile.

"Are you that eager to get rid of me?"

I was taken aback and felt a bit guilty.

I avoided his gaze and said softly, "If you don't want to leave, you can stay."

"What's the point of staying? You don't even reply to my messages. Will you talk to me if I'm here?"

I didn't expect him to bring up our issues so directly.

I had wanted to avoid this topic, but now I had to respond.

I rubbed my head. "I don't really want to discuss this right now..."

"But if you insist, I've already told you my stance."

As I spoke, Royce took two steps closer. "Caroline, when you told me that day, I thought you were just throwing a tantrum."

"I went back and deleted Yvonne's contact. Before I did, I asked her if she said anything to you."

I was surprised that Royce would go to such lengths for me.

I looked up and met his deep, gentle eyes.

"She said she didn't say anything. So what are you mad about?"

I almost laughed. "Even if she did say something, she wouldn't tell you."

After all, Royce was the object of Yvonne's admiration. What girl would reveal her little schemes?

Especially when it involved slandering and provoking a rival.

Royce frowned. "So she did say something? No wonder you were so mad... and still won't talk to me."

I opened my mouth, wanting to deny it.

I wanted to say our situation was complicated, not just about Yvonne.

But thinking back, if it weren't for Yvonne, our cold war wouldn't have happened.

I didn't know what to say.

He came over and took my hand.

His thumb rubbed the back of my hand, and seeing I didn't pull away, he seemed relieved.

"You know, I've always been afraid of making you unhappy. Since we met, I've wanted you to ignore our differences and protect you like a sister."

I couldn't help but say, "You have so many sisters who adore you, yet you look for an older sister like me outside."

Saying this made me feel a bit sad.

Admitting my age wasn't easy.

Especially with a rival in the picture.

Royce laughed. "So all this is because of jealousy?"

I stayed silent.

I didn't know what he was thinking, debating whether to tell him everything.

When Yvonne and I were provoked at the mall, I thought it was over.

But I didn't speak, and Royce kissed my hand.

My heart fluttered like a butterfly had landed on it.

"What are you thinking? Can you tell me?"

In such tenderness, it was hard not to fall.

Thinking about it, maybe we did have misunderstandings...

I seemed willing to give him another chance...

I cursed myself for being weak.