Chapter: 1173

Meanwhile, Susanna, unaware of how much joy Tracy's competition results brought her mother, reunited with Joanna. They embraced, Joanna inhaling the familiar, sweet scent of Susanna.

“Susanna, it's been ages," Joanna greeted her, noting Susanna's new haircut.

“You've cut your hair! You look amazing," Susanna exclaimed, admiring Joanna's transformation.

Joanna, now dressed in a snug sports outfit that highlighted her toned physique and newly cropped hair, looked striking.

After Susanna left the hospital, Joanna resumed intensive training with Duncan, her skills now so advanced that managing multiple opponents was no challenge.

Instead of dwelling on her past hardships, Joanna greeted them with a hearty laugh.

"Thank you, Susanna. You're becoming even more beautiful."

She playfully pinched Susanna's cheek and gave Phillip an approving nod.

"I never imagined there was an ambitious wolf alongside Sean, capable of whisking our little princess away so quietly," she teased.

With a light chuckle, Susanna replied, "I was the one who confessed my love to Philip. Now, where shall we go? It's our first meeting since I left the hospital."

Joanna opened the door to her seven-seat SUV.

"Hop in," she invited.

Duncan, sitting in the driver's seat, nodded their way and offered a greeting.

"Joanna, nice to see your coach here."

As Phillip guided Susanna into the vehicle, they took seats beside each other.

Joanna secured herself in the passenger seat and explained, "The coach has really been put through the paces training with me lately, so I thought I'd give him a break and let him drive."

Duncan offered a resigned smile, his gaze warm with deep affection.

The countless hours he spent training her had reshaped his view of her.

Joanna had shown remarkable resilience. No matter the intensity of the session, she met each challenge silently, achieving the goals he set.

Initially, Duncan hadn't believed Joanna could endure the rigorous training. Often, she was knocked down, struggling to rise.

Yet, she invariably did, pushing past her apparent limits.

Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Duncan realized he had fallen for her.

Life had taken a whirlwind turn in the past year.

Inside the car, Joanna and Susanna chatted about their lives, both delicately tiptoeing around a single, unspoken name.