C4 The Gift from the Heavens

Joanna was puzzled. What did he mean by that?

"Miss Joanna does have some charm, but... sorry."

Joanna was taken aback. Was he implying she was using her looks to get ahead at work?

In this dog-eat-dog world, it's okay for men to scheme in business, but women can't use their looks?

Joanna admitted that sometimes she did use her advantages, but she always maintained her boundaries and never engaged in any real quid pro quo.

But Joanna's personality was such that if you dared her, she'd rise to the challenge.

Almost provocatively, Joanna's fair, delicate foot slowly slid up Mo Kai's suit pant leg, her eyes sultry. "Director Mo, didn't you open the door for me?"

The implication was clear: see, you fell for it yourself.

Mo Kai was momentarily stunned, then stood up, his eyes deep and cold, his voice stern. "Miss Joanna, please leave."

At Hibiscus Garden.

Two people dressed as waitstaff were whispering to each other.

"I think I just saw a woman coming out of the Mu House."

"That's impossible. Young Master Mo never allows women near him, let alone into the Mu House!"

"True, I must have been seeing things... By the way, is Young Master Mo staying at the Mu House for a while?"

In the old district of Kang City.

Joanna returned home, feeling dejected, and entered the dark hallway of an old apartment building.

The hallway light had been out for a month. With no property management in the old complex, she always came home to darkness lately.

At the last step of the staircase, a soft, childlike voice suddenly broke the darkness: "Mom."

Joanne paused, turning on her phone's flashlight.

"Zhan, why are you sitting here?!"

In the dim glow of the phone, a little boy of about five sat quietly on the steps. His eyes were like stars, yet they held a maturity beyond his years.

"Mom, don't come home so late next time."

With that, the boy stood up and pushed open the front door.

Joanne hurried to follow him. "Zhan, how long have you been sitting outside? Where's Grandma?"

The boy didn't reply, heading straight to his room and gently closing the door behind him.

Joanne glanced at the clock. It was 1 a.m.

The front door creaked open, and the smell of alcohol filled the air.

"What are you doing, standing there in the middle of the night trying to scare someone?" a middle-aged woman slurred, reeking of booze.

"Drinking again? When did you go out, and what about Zhan and Xinyi..."

Joanne's words were cut off by the woman. "What, you're lecturing your mom now? Don't bring up those two brats! If it weren't for those kids, my life..."

"Shut up!" Joanne hissed, keeping her voice low.

"Don't want me to talk? Ha, you think I want to bring up your mess? The kid doesn't even know who his father is, and instead of learning anything good from me, I end up with a wild child, and you give me another one!"

"Say one more word, and I'll tear your mouth apart!" Joann's eyes were red, her gaze sharp as a knife.

The middle-aged woman wobbled slightly, shivering, "Oh, how did I end up with a kid like you!"

With that, she staggered into the room, slamming the door behind her.

Joann slid down onto the couch.

The middle-aged woman was her mother, Woo Yue. From as far back as Joann could remember, all she ever received from Woo Yue was hatred, never love. It was as if her very existence was a disgrace.

To Joann, it didn't matter how hysterical Woo Yue got with her; she couldn't be bothered to argue. But if her children were hurt, she'd fight tooth and nail.

The memory of Zhan and Xinyi's father seemed deliberately erased, leaving no trace. Only in her dreams did a vague silhouette appear. But Joann was certain she had loved him, and Zhan and Xinyi were gifts from above.

The bedroom door creaked open.

Joann looked up, a smile instantly appearing on her lips.

"Zhan, Grandma was just drunk and talking nonsense."

Zhan nodded, holding a towel as he walked over to Joann, quietly helping her wipe away her tears.

As the night deepened, Joann's gaze fell on her two children, already asleep in bed.

Zhan often seemed like a little adult, with a calm and reserved demeanor, quite unlike her. At five years old, he sometimes ended up taking care of her instead.

Xinyi, born just a minute after Zhan, was as cute as a doll with her lively and adorable personality. However, Xinyi had a congenital heart condition, one that's extremely rare.

The most authoritative team for this condition is at the SRI Medical Research Institute in Switzerland. SRI is one of the top three medical research institutions globally, boasting the most advanced medical teams and pharmaceutical research technology.

If they could collaborate with SRI, they might secure a ticket to the Swiss institute, potentially offering Xinyi better treatment options. Yet, SRI only recognizes Huachen Medicine under the Mosheng Group.

Qiao Ann's mind replayed the image of that handsome, composed face, those indifferent eyes, and his solitary figure standing by the window. She felt a sharp pain tugging at her heart, an indescribable emotion.

At the same time, a voice inside her urged her not to give up. After a moment of contemplation, Qiao Ann left the room and pulled out her phone: "Xin, do you know Mo Kai from the Mosheng Group? I need his schedule."