Nancy stared at Joan and Dustin skeptically.
“Uh… I’ve got something to do, so see you guys next time!” She quickly snagged her handbag to leave.
“No!” Joan and Dustin swung their gazes at her in concert.
“Nancy, didn’t you ask me out to give you some suggestions? Sit down, and we’ll talk about it. Just ignore others, for irrelevant people are simply annoying!” Joan asserted in a deliberate bid to snub Dustin.
At that, Nancy looked at her in confliction.
Dustin has never offended me in any way, so isn’t it rather unreasonable to ignore him at this time?
“Don’t worry, Nancy. Just tell me whatever problem you’re facing, and I’ll resolve it for you.” Dustin patted his chest confidently.
Oh God, what’s going on here? Nancy clutched her head with both hands, a tortured expression on her face. I can’t afford to alienate either of them, what with Joan being my best friend and Dustin being Jory’s best friend!
“Well, this matter has nothing to do with you, Dustin. So, just go about your business,” Joan growled without sparing his feelings.
Good God, she’s actually throwing a tantrum just because I asked Larry to treat me to a few lunches! Is this necessary? When did she become so petty?
“Of course, it has something to do with me! Jory is my best friend, so his problem is also mine.” Dustin showed no signs of backing off.
As Joan stared at the man before her, she was gripped by the urge to punch him in the face. But in the next second, reason had her stifling that desire.
“Fine. Since you’re so smart, you come up with suggestions. I’m not going to say a single word further.” Joan turned to gaze out the window with fury written all over her face.
“Fine by me! Listen here, Nancy…”
Subsequently, Dustin started speaking eloquently at length, from her relationship with Jory, their married life, and Jory’s personality, to how they could curry favor with Simon, and so on.
At the side, Joan was taken aback.
Hmm… never had I expected him to actually know that much.
“Dad!” Nancy hollered before she had even stepped into the house.
Simon had heard her ages ago, but upon recalling that she wanted to bring Jory to meet him, his blood immediately boiled.
“Dad, look who’s here!” Nancy promptly rushed over to him and acted coquettishly.
This was Simon’s weakness, so he couldn’t help relenting every time she acted coyly with him.
“Can’t you be more ladylike? You’re all grown up now.” He gazed at his daughter indulgently.
“Look, Dad! I brought Jory here to visit you, and he bought lots of gifts for you!” Nancy hurriedly exclaimed ingratiatingly.
“Mr. Barrymore,” Jory swiftly greeted as he stepped forward.
But the moment Simon spotted him, he instantly whirled around and strode into the living room without saying anything.
Seeing that, Jory knew that he had hit a brick wall, for Simon’s action made it clear as day that he wasn’t welcomed. All at once, his gaze dimmed.
Beside him, Nancy wore a mortified expression.
“It’s okay, so don’t worry. I’ll go and talk to him,” she murmured in consolation.
In response, Jory nodded slightly.
“What’s wrong with you, Dad? Why did you do that when I brought Jory home to meet you?” Nancy whined in a whisper.
“Nancy, I’ve told you that I don’t want to see that man. You should both leave. I still have some things to handle,” Simon stated coldly.
At the sight of his indifferent expression, Nancy knew that her father was truly furious.
In the past, he’d always indulged me no matter my shenanigans and willfulness. What was more, he’d even help me out. Even when it came to my divorce from Caspian, he merely turned a blind eye to it. So why is his reaction so intense today?
Disappointment swamped her.
“Nancy, you should grow up. In the past, I indulged and spoiled you because you were young and ignorant. But now, you should learn to consider other people’s feelings. What would people think when you brought Jory Synder here? If you were to get married right after getting divorced, even an idiot would be able to tell that you cheated on your husband,” Simon rebuked bluntly.
