Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
In Quinton’s words, Joanne was a lily blooming in the mud. She was pure but fallen. The fact she couldn’t go to college was probably her biggest regret.
Joanne’s eyes brightened; though in disbelief, she asked Flossie warily, “Really? I’m not young anymore. Can I still sign up for college?”
“Of course! You’re only in your twenties! Even if you’re in your seventies or eighties, you can still sit for the college entrance examination if you want to, Flossie reassured Joanne firmly.
“Then, what should I do?”
Joanne’s biggest regret was not going to college. She had yet to experience a college student’s life, and couldn’t learn what she wanted.
If she had the chance to take the path she had imagined so often, she would find her life to be less rotten. She could probably grow better and find something beautiful in her rotten soul.
“Do you want to take the college entrance examination?’ Flossie asked casually. She didn’t expect such interest from Joanne, whose hope and eagerness moved her deeply.
Joanne was akin to a drowning victim who had lost all hope, but finally opened her eyes to grab the rope. She wanted to climb, survive, and lead a proper life.
“Mm, yes! I want to!” Joanne nodded firmly. “I want to go to college and sit in the lecture hall. I want to take in the vast knowledge and be deserving of being a teacher.”
“Then get moving! Buy textbooks, self-study, register, and take the exam!” Flossie said.
She told Joanne the standard procedures and patted her chest.
She added confidently, “If you’re okay with it, I can be your tutor. Honestly, I was one of the very best students from BC University. I think there won’t be any problem for me to help you get an undergraduate degree.”
Flossie’s words moved Joanne.
At first, Joanne hesitated to stay at Ellsworth Manor. Although Margaret was nice and made nutritious herbal soup for her every day, she couldn’t stay there in peace. She wanted to grab a chance to leave.
Now, she decided to shamelessly stay there for a long time so she could get into college.
At least, she would stay there until she successfully got into college. Then, it would be more convenient for Flossie to teach her.
“Are you…willing to teach me?” Joanne tried to confirm with Flossie, uncertain.
“Of course!” Flossie nodded. “I have no reason to not teach you. Try and think about it this way. My brother has done you wrong and ruined your career. As his sister, I should try and make it up to you on his behalf. Plus… sincerely take you as my best friend, whether you believe me or are willing about it. I’m always sincere with my best friends.”
“I know.”
Joanne was moved to tears, and couldn’t hide how touched she was.
“I once felt I was very unlucky to run into a guy like your brother. But now, I feel I’m lucky too. At the very least, I got to know you because of him… I finally got to know that there’s such a nice person in this world. You and Mr. Guajardo are wonderful. No wonder you two are such a perfect match and love each other so much.
Flossie cleared her throat, her enthusiasm dampened.
She said awkwardly, “I’m fine with it if you say I’m a nice person, but please don’t mention that guy or feel that we’re a perfect match. You’re belittling me.”
“Uh, I didn’t mean that. I just felt that…” Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Joanne hurriedly tried to explain herself.
“Okay, I was just joking with you!” Flossie casually laughed and added gently, “You’re recovering just fine. Keep resting here. I’ll order the textbooks for you later. When they’re here, we’ll start our lessons systematically. Is that okay with you?”
“Oh, that’s great!”
Joanne covered her lips and burst into tears, moved. She couldn’t believe she could still look forward to the future after so many years. She could even fulfill her longstanding dream of going to college…
If Halston had given her a second chance, then Flossie had given her a third chance.
Yes, she was unlucky. But currently, she found herself very lucky.
After comforting Joanne, Flossie exited the room.
As expected, Quinton was standing at the door and frowning. “What did you guys talk about in there? You guys talked for such a long time.”
“Come and take a walk with me in the garden. I’ll tell you everything.”
Then, Flossie walked straight toward the garden.
It was the season of osmanthus in October. When Quinton rebuilt Ellsworth Manor, he purposely planted many osmanthus trees in the manor. He loved its fragrance, and the osmanthus could calm the nerves and relax the minds.
Flossie took a deep breath and could smell the osmanthus; it was calming and refreshing. It also eased the headache from her hangover.
“If I’m guessing correctly, Joanne tried to sneak away more than once during this period. But you forcefully brought her back. Am I right?” Flossie said.
She stopped in front of an osmanthus tree and tried to pick the flowers like a child as she spoke casually to Quinton.
Quinton frowned and pursed his lips in reluctance. He replied coldly, “I was doing that for her sake.”
Flossie didn’t go home last night, but Quinton didn’t rush to Guajardo Manor immediately. He couldn’t be certain that she was there, and he couldn’t leave because of what happened with Joanne.
When Joanne woke up, she kept looking for chances to leave the manor. Margaret was able to dissuade her, albeit temporarily.
That fearless woman bypassed the door before dawn and tried to escape by climbing over the windows to avoid attracting Quinton’s attention.
Although the second floor wasn’t far from the first floor with a platform in between, Joanne had just run into a wall and almost got herself killed. She tried to jump off the building, and it drove Quinton into a rage.
Hence, he got his subordinates to keep an eye on her on the first floor. When she landed, they carried her back to her room.
This affair deepened the chasm between Joanne and Quinton. However, she said nothing about it for fear of disturbing Margaret. She pretended nothing had happened.
Margaret felt that everything was fine, but in truth, only Quinton and Joanne knew about their discord. At some point, another fight might happen.
“For her sake?’ Flossie shook her head. She hit the nail on its head as she said, “No, you’re wrong. To put it bluntly, you’re locking her up illegally.”
As expected, things wouldn’t be that peaceful.
Quinton was a worrisome person, while Joanne was tough despite her delicate appearance. It was hard to fool her.
Previously, Flossie was at home and could mediate the situation. When she left, everything went out of hand.
“Humph! She doesn’t know what’s good for her. Does she think she’s tough and strong? Her body couldn’t stand such torture.”
When Quinton recalled that incident, he was still furious. He clenched his fists tightly.
“If it weren’t for me, she would’ve long fallen and ruined herself!”
“She didn’t have to do that, but you were too overbearing and forced her down a dead-end. You were to be blamed if she fell from the second floor,” Flossie said righteously, spreading her hands to make a point.
“What do you want me to do, then?” Quinton tensed, looking like he was in pain. “Do you want me to let her go? She’s too weak! If I let her go, where will she end up? I’ll be held responsible too, no doubt about it!”
“Okay, calm down. I understand your difficulties.” Flossie tried to comfort Quinton. “I just want to tell you that it isn’t easy to resolve the conflict between you guys. Maybe you can’t even do that for the rest of your life. But I hope you can calm down and stop being a dictator like you used to. Don’t force her to do things she hates.”
“I don’t want to force her, either.” A helpless sigh escaped Quinton. “So, you want me to set her free and let her fend for herself?”
“Of course you can’t do that.” Rebee smiled. Despite the latter’s anxiety, she looked mischievously at Quinton.” So, I came up with a win-win solution. She’s made up her mind to stay.”
“What do you mean?” Quinton found it incredulous. “She’s stubborn, even more than you sometimes. What method did you use to persuade her?”