Chapter 23

After Rowan's arrest, Cynthia sent Joanna an extravagant gift. Joanna barely glanced at it. Her voice was flat as she gave the order to have it tossed out. "Mrs. Schuman, isn't it a shame to throw this away? Did Mrs. Swanson offend you somehow?" the housekeeper, Roberta Newton, asked. Joanna didn't look up from her book. She turned a page slowly and answered in a calm voice, "Roberta, why don't you take it home instead?" Roberta beamed with delight, instantly forgetting the question she had just asked. Joanna truly hated Rowan, but that didn't mean she had any fondness for the Swanson family either. She simply wanted nothing to do with people like them, not even the slightest connection. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Roberta went to answer it. When Joanna saw Calvin standing on the doorstep, a rare smile crossed her face. She took Calvin out for lunch and even arranged a place for him to stay afterward. Back at the office, George listened to Austin's report. He looked down and