Chapter 36
“Yeah, it’s the gift I got you for our first meeting. Just check the headline, and you’ll see what I mean. Alright, I’m boarding now. See you tonight!” Donald teased her a line before lunging up.
Joanna was a bit confused, but she still clicked on the headline. The top story immediately caught her eye. Movie Star Donald Cancels Endorsement Deal with Buckley Group!!
The news shot straight to the trending topics, thanks to Donald’s huge influence. Every move he made was under the public’s microscope,
Before long, the story was shared by countless media outlets.
Donald had always been known for his good reputation, so when he suddenly ended his partnership with Buckley Group, people started wondering if something had gone wrong with the company. They thought. ‘What else could explain the cancellation?”
People rushed to leave comments on Buckley Group’s official website, asking questions, and some overly passionate fans even started attacking the
company.
As a result, Buckley Group’s stock prices began to tumble, and the downward trend seemed impossible to stop. The whole company was probably scrambling to deal with this unexpected crisis.
Joanna took a look and felt a sense of relief, mixed with gratitude. She knew Donald was standing up for her, which was why he’d pulled the plug on the deal with Buckley Group
In the CEO’s office at Buckley Group, the atmosphere was tense,
and the sleek, understated decor felt even more oppressive in the moment.
Hanley stood nervously in front of the desk, visibly shaken. This crisis had come out of nowhere.
Howell, the CEO, wore a stern expression, his brows drawn tightly together, and an icy aura surrounded him. Even at a distance of three meters, Hanley could feel the tension.
“What’s going on! We’d already agreed on everything, the contract was practically ready–why would they back out at the last minute?” Howell barked, his eyes fixed on the screen showing a sea of green–the company’s stock plummeting.
His lips were pressed tightly together, and the news had clearly caught him off guard. He had not been prepared for this.
y, we’ve contacted his manager. They said it’s for personal reasons, and he no longer wants to be our spokesperson,” Hanley replied
“Mr. Buckley, cautiously.
They had already mad
made the announcement, so now,
uncement, so now, with the deal falling throug
deal falling through, everyone was assuming
cryone was as
ming the problem lay with Buckley Group.
“Where is Donald right now? Get in touch with him. I want to talk to him, Howell ordered.
The endorsement fee had already been one of the highest in the industry. He thought. What could possibly be wrong? Personal reasons‘ is such a flimsy excuse. Why cancel only the deal with Buckley Group“.
“Mr. Buckley, I heard Donald returned to Osland City today. I’ll reach out to his manager,” Hanley said, still uneasy.
“Alright.” Howell nodded. “By the way, have you found out where Joanna is?“
Hanley quickly handed over the details he’d found. “Mr. Buckley, Ms. Odborne is currently living alone in an apartment in this neighborhood. It’s close to her workplace.”
Howell nodded again, his face unreadable.
Later that evening, after work, Joanna glanced at the time. Donald should be arriving soon
Ja had served a privat
at the
he restaurant, choosing one that was more secluded due in Donald’s high profile.
as the stepped into the parking lot, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, and sure enough, It was Donald calling–right on time.
packed up the phone, her voice bright. “Donald, we really are in syne! I just got off work, and I’ve already booked the private room. Philip has a nyerning today, so it’s just going to be the two of us. I’ll send you the location?
Timjaid, now bark on familiar surroundings, relaxed a bit. “Okay, see you soon!”
After lunging upi. Joanna drove to the reHaurant
When they met, they couldn’t help but lug each other warmly.
40 PM
Chapter 30
Donald patted her head affectionately. “You’ve lost weight, küd”
Joanna smiled playfully. “Didn’t you hear! Being thin is in day!”
Donald chuckled, and the two of them began to order
think I look fust right. Arad look at you, Donold—prarre getting minar landforme every
de cautel the deal with forkley face
While they were eating. Joanna casually brought up the news story. “Donald, you really didn’t need to cant have anything to do with them anymore.”
She’d heard the endorsement fee was pretty high, and part of her felt it might’ve been a bit of a loss,
“You little money–grubber. Donal teased, laughing. I’m not hurting for cash. Plenty of people are asking me to lose their brands The eral issue is that Howell is just insufferable.
him a proper lesson myself.” Though he’d been overseas, Donald was fully
y aware of what for toppened
“If you hadn’t stepped in. I’d have given li with Joanna.
He thought. Our precious girl–how can the Buckley family have treated her like that? So, of course, Donald was determined to find a way for get
back at Howell.
“Thank you. Donald Jo
oanna said, her heart warmed. The love of family really male everything better.
“Silly girl, don’t be so formal with me,” Donald replied. “But if you want to thank me, there’s a gala I have to attend in a couple of days, and I need a female companion. Come with me.”
Joanna immediately agreed without hesitation. “Of course! I’d love tof
The two of them continued eating and chatting, enjoying the moment.
Meanwhile, after work, Howell grabbed his keys and was about to leave when a phone call from Polly had him turning back home.
Realizing it had been a while since he’d been back, he decided to return.
ce froke the silence. “So, the busy man trally
As soon as he e walked in, he saw Polly sitting on the couch, looking far from pleased. Her coll voice i shows up!”
I walked over and
Howell
d
over and sat down, replying coolly, “What’s going on?”
“Couldn’t find time to come home? Polly shot back sharply
“Mom, that’s not what I meant. I’ve just been swamped with work,” Howell explained, leaning back on the couch from the Donald sination had left him completely drained.
And it wasn’t even resolved yet he could already feel a headache creeping in.
al lomening his the. The stress
“I get it, you’re busy. But are you so busy that you couldn’t finalize your divorce with that vile woman, Joanna? I’volly
Polly’s voor mine în Innstration
She had always assumed that Howell and Joanna had already divorced and were completely separated. But today, Theodora had told lier still hadn’t taken care of the paperwork.
While shopping with Margot, Theodora had overheard something about it, and immediately, she’d blown tip
Both women assumed it was Joanna who was stalling, and when she returned, Theodora had exaggerated the details to Polly
So, of course, Polly had called him back right away.
