One night stand with my president(chapter 427)

 Chapter 427: Don’t Run Away

Russell's words were easy to understand, but Joyce couldn't help frowning as she watched him walk away.

Besides feeling helpless, Joyce also felt a growing sense of unease.

Harrison and Adeline's relationship had finally found its footing.

If Russell was determined to get involved, no one knew what could happen.

After Eleanor was handed over to the police in Orianto, she was immediately detained.

She had many crimes on her record-murder, intentional harm, slander...

With all these charges combined, even if she wasn't sentenced to death, she would be locked away for life.

As for Lance, he would be serving time alongside her.

So, no one would be able to save her now.

Eleanor's two former assistants, although complicit, were considered mere 

accomplices and had helped expose her crimes, so they were not arrested.

Harrison had given them some money and sent them back to their hometowns.

Desmond, who had been imprisoned in the candy house with Adeline, had safely returned to Orianto and reunited with his family.

He even called Adeline to express his gratitude.

"I should be thanking you," Adeline said on the phone. "When we were trapped together, you risked your life to help me. I truly appreciate it."

"Oh, don't mention it," Desmond replied sheepishly. "To be honest, I did it for myself too. But I really admire you. There were gunshots everywhere, and I was scared out of my mind, yet you remained so calm..."

Adeline laughed. "Actually, I was terrified too."

This was the first time in her life she'd heard so many gunshots, apart from in the movies.

The sound was so close, it felt like the bullets

were flying just above her head.

She was scared, terrified of dying.

She wanted to live, to return home to her family, and to Harrison.

So how could she not be afraid?

But it was because of that fear that she forced herself to stay calm.

If she panicked then, there'd be no hope.

"Anyway, I have enough of a story now to brag about for the rest of my life," Desmond laughed.

"By the way, I want to thank you, not just because you helped me get home safely, but because your boyfriend-Mr. Thomson-said he'd help me open a restaurant and even get my place to collaborate with the Thomson Group. He wants my cooking to be known worldwide."

Desmond was visibly excited about it.

Having his cooking recognized by more people was his dream.

Harrison could have just given him a large sum of money, but he didn't. Instead, he talked about a partnership.

This made Desmond even more grateful.

"Congratulations!" Adeline smiled. "Once I'm back in Orianto, I'll visit  your restaurant when I have time."

"Great! Bring your boyfriend along!"

After hanging up with Desmond, Adeline turned and saw Joyce sitting at the edge of her bed, staring blankly into space.

She waved her hand in front of Joyce's face.

Despite all of that, Joyce still hadn't snapped out of it.

"What are you thinking about?" Adeline asked curiously.

Joyce snapped back to reality and stammered, "Nothing... nothing at all."

"Come on," Adeline smirked. "You think I don't know you?"

After a pause, she asked softly, "You're not thinking about Mr. Juarez, are you?"

Joyce's ears turned red.

Adeline could tell she was right.

"So, how's it been between you two these past few days?"

Sam had been in Daltoria for a few days now.

He'd come to check on Adeline, but every day, he only passed through her ward.

His attention was entirely focused on Joyce, occasionally inviting her out for dinner or a little outing.

Joyce sometimes accepted, other times refused.

When rejected, Sam didn't get upset. A few hours later, he'd be back, happily asking her to join him at some new restaurant he discovered.

Honestly, Joyce couldn't miss what Sam was trying to do.

She was a little confused.

Just a while ago, Sam had clearly rejected her.

She didn't know why he was suddenly acting like he liked her.

And after everything that happened, she couldn't help but worry, as she didn't know if Sam still had other women around him.

Joyce still liked Sam, but she wasn't so naive that she'd settle for sharing a man with other women.

"It's just... Whatever.' Joyce muttered vaguely.

"Joyce, if you still like Mr. Juarez, you should stop avoiding the situation and face everything head-on," Adeline advised.

"That way, you won't regret it later."

Adeline's words hit the mark.

Joyce knew deep down that there were a lot of unresolved issues between her and Sam.

First, there was Sam's past relationships.

Then, there was the issue of Sam almost dying in the past. It was still a wound in her heart.

Honestly, during this time, she had been avoiding confronting these feelings.

But just like Adeline said, Joyce shouldn't run away. Or there would be regrets later.

"I understand," Joyce said quietly.

When Harrison brought lunch for Adeline, Joyce quietly left.

She had something on her mind, feeling a little lost as she passed by Harrison but didn't greet him.

Of course, Harrison wasn't bothered by something so trivial.

He placed the lunch on the table and asked, "Did you talk to her about Sam?"

"How did you know?" Adeline asked.

"I could tell by the look on her face."

"I told her not to avoid it, to face the issues between her and Sam."

Harrison smiled as he opened the lunch box. 

"I thought you'd still hold some grudge against him for what happened before."

"I did, a little," Adeline said. "He was just an acquaintance to me before, and I didn't interfere with his personal life. But now, he's pursuing my best friend. His past behavior can't be ignored. But I can tell Joyce still has feelings for him, and Sam cares for her. So I think... he deserves a chance."

After all, Joyce's feelings were the most important.

What she had just said to Joyce seemed like advice, but really, it was just voicing what Joyce had been holding inside.

When someone is confused, they need support.

With that support, Joyce would know what to do.

"You should tell him that if he ever hurts Joyce again, I won't let him off the hook," Adeline said with a smile.

Though she smiled, her tone was serious.

"Don't worry," Harrison said. "Even without me saying it, he knows very well."

"Good."

As Adeline was about to sit down and eat, Harrison suddenly said, "Bruce will bring Kira over this afternoon."