Chapter 25 Know Joanna’s
Measurements So Well
Joanna shook her head without hesitation. “No need. I’ll grab a taxi. No point in bothering Mr. Harvey.”
Rhys let out a laugh and playfully tightened his grip on her arm. Flashing a wide grin, he said, “Oh, come on! It’s no trouble
at all. My dad’s addicted to work- he’s heading back to the office anyway. Might as well give you a lift, right, Dad?”
Owen exhaled a dry chuckle. “You’re the only one who dares to treat me like a driver. Get in.”
With a sigh, Joanna climbed into the car.
Luckily, Rhys took the front seat and kept the mood light. He spent the entire drive regaling Owen with funny stories from
school.
Owen listened more than he spoke, tossing in a comment here and there.
He didn’t say much, but he wasn’t indifferent.
Joanna could tell that Owen had a soft spot for Rhys. His warmth toward his son was obvious.
All of a sudden, Owen’s nose wrinkled. He shot Rhys a suspicious look. “What’s that smell on you?”
Rhys raised an eyebrow and sniffed at his shirt. “Huh? I don’t smell anything.” He turned to Joanna and held out his sleeve.
“Here, check for me.”
Joanna leaned in, but the faint scent clinging to the fabric made her head spin. A wave of dizziness washed over her.
She steadied herself quickly and forced a casual tone. “Nope. Smells fine to me.”
But Owen wasn’t convinced. Something felt off.
At first, he had assumed the unpleasant odor came from Joanna, maybe leftover from the filthy water earlier. But now he
was sure. The scent was coming from Rhys.
Owen narrowed his eyes. “What exactly were you up to at the club?”
Rhys glanced around, avoiding his gaze. “Just drinking and singing. Nothing else.”
Owen didn’t buy it for a second.
He was about to dig deeper when something clicked. That scent–it was familiar.
Memories rushed back. Tatiana. That fleeting night. The air in the room had been thick with the same fragrance.
A crack appeared in Owen’s usual composed expression.
So that meant… Rhys had just-
His eyes shifted to the rearview mirror. Joanna sat quietly in the back. Her long, sleek hair spilled over her shoulders. She
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Chapter 25 Know Joanna’s Measurements So Well
looked so innocent. So proper.
A strange weight settled in Owen’s chest.
He couldn’t tell if it was the shock of realizing Rhys–who still seemed like a kid to him–had a sex life or if it was because Joanna was involved.
The car grew quiet, thick with unspoken thoughts.
Owen stared ahead, lost in his own mind. Rhys seemed deep in thought too. Joanna, on the other hand, looked completely
at ease.
Of course, she wasn’t the one who had just slept with Rhys.
The car slowed to a stop outside the staff housing. Joanna thanked Owen, then slipped out.
Rhys leaned out of the window, grinning. “Joanna! I love you! Goodnight!”
She gave a small wave before vanishing into the darkness.
Owen observed their exchange, then casually asked, “So, who made the first move?”
Rhys let out a laugh. “Me, obviously! I’ve been chasing Joanna for a while now. She hasn’t said yes yet, but I know I’ll win her over eventually!”
Owen blinked, momentarily stunned.
If Rhys had been the one pursuing Joanna, then that so–called cheating incident… Joanna hadn’t lured Rhys in. Maybe she had been telling the truth all along. Maybe Norene really had set her up.
Owen was about to dig deeper, ready to ask Rhys what had really happened that night. But before he could speak, Rhys suddenly blurted out, “Dad, you have an amazing eye for fashion! That dress you picked for Joanna–it’s perfect on her.”
The cut suited her. The fit was spot on.
Then Rhys frowned, realization dawning. “Wait a minute… How do you know Joanna’s measurements so well?”
When Owen was younger, he had dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. For a time, he had worked hard to make it happen.
Though he had never pursued it as a career, his eye for detail became razor–sharp.
He could size up a person’s measurements with just one look–almost as accurately as a tailor with a measuring tape.
So, figuring out Joanna’s size had been effortless.
Of course, there was no way he was about to admit that. Instead, he said flatly, “She told me herself.”
Rhys smacked his forehead. “Oh, right! Duh. I must be losing brain cells.”
Owen waved a hand dismissively. “You’re not. You’re a smart kid.” He didn’t mean it as praise. He just wanted to drop the subject and get Rhys home.
