Chapter 17
Howell heard the voice, frowned, and turned around. There, standing in front of him, was Philip–dressed in a sharp suit, tall, and handsome. looking entirely out of place.
“Mr. Menzie, my wife is living in your house. Don’t you think that’s a little inappropriate?” Howell shot back without any pretense.
“Your wife” Philip raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but laced with sarcasm. “Mr. Buckley, you really are a master of jokes. You two are already divorced. How can she still be your wife! She’s not your responsibility anymore.”
The way Philip said the words made Howell’s blood boil. But he didn’t want to waste any more time on him, so he tried to pull Joanna away.
Before he could even take a step. Philip moved faster, He grabbed Joanna’s arm, spun around, and led her inside, slamming the door shut right in
Howell’s face
Howell stood there, frozen for a moment, his face turning ashen. He thought, ‘How dare Philip do that?
His jaw clenched, and his anger surged, but there was nothing he could do. He was powerless to stop it
Joanna, still shaken by Howell’s sudden appearance, felt her emotions spiral.
Philip glanced at her with concern. “What’s wrong? Still worrying about what’s happening online? Don’t stress, I’ve already taken care of it
“Thank you, Philip” Joanna said with a small, grateful smile. “I’m fine. I’ll handle it myself”
Philip laughed softly. “You silly girl, why are you being so polite with me? Why is Howell still bothering you? Didn’t you two already divorce? He’s making himself look pathetic, don’t y
you think?”
“He hasn’t signed the divorce papers yet, so we’re technically still married, Joanna said, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
“That’s insane” Philip’s voice was filled with disbelief.
“It’s okay, Philip. I’ll take care of it,” Joanna reassured him, though she hadn’t expected Howell to be so stubborn. She had hoped that by stepping mide, he would be grateful. But now, it felt like he was only complicating things.
Philips expression darkened. He thought, Is Howell really still holding on to some hope? There protect her at all conte
was no way he’d let Howell hurt Joanna. He would
Hack at his office, Howell sat at his desk, replaying the scene in his head, carlier and regretted it now. It felt like she had slapped him in the face.
trying to f
to figure out how to talk to Joanna. He knew he’d lost his temper
He bath lip, frustrated, and then his thoughts turned to the online situation. Joanna’s issues had completely thrown him off balance.
He opened he laptop and saw that the trending topic had finally been taken down
Just as he was about to relax, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen–it was Margot’s agent, Cecelia
He answered without hesitation. Before he could say anything, Cecelia’s voice came through, urgent and panicked. “Mr. Buckley, this is Cecelia, Margot’s agent Something’s happened to her…
The rest of the conversation blurred as panic set in. Howell immediately replied, “To on
my
way
Without another word, he rush
- rushed out of his office.
When he arsed at Margot’s place, Cecelia was already waiting for him. “Mr. Buckley…”
As they entered the elevator. Howell asked, “What
happened?”
Creelu sigled before speaki
“Last night, Margot’s personal life was exposed online–there were tons of malicious rumors, and she was flooded with negative communi She was in a really bad place. If I hadn’t noticed in time, by now… she might have…..”
Gecelia dedn’t find the sentence, bout Howell already un
y under moral
“Mr. Buckley, Margot listens to post more than angour. Please, talk to her, Cecelia said, looking troubles.
“Okay”
11:59 AM
Chapter 17
When they reached Margot’s door, Howell knocked softly. After a moment, the door slowly opened.
The second Margot saw him, she bit her lip, then immediately threw herself into his arms.
“Howell, you’re here! I’m so scared!” Her voice was trembling, thick with emotion.
Cecelia, seeing the scene, quietly closed the door behind them, giving them space.
Cecelia thought. This is a perfect chance. Margot is gorgeous, with a body that can tempt any man. Surely, no man can resist her.”
Cecelia hoped Margot would take this opportunity to make Howell fall for her, and become Mrs. Buckley. That would mean a lifetime of fame and fortune for Margos, and Cecelia could benefit from it too,
Margot was wearing a soft, satin apricot–colored nightgown that clung to her curves. Her long hair fell around her shoulders, and her face was pale with no makeup, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She still had a subtle fragrance about her.
Howell frowned slightly, then gently pushed her away from him. “Margot, don’t do this
Margot froze, her face going pale. She hadn’t expected him to pull away. She bit her lip, looking utterly heartbroken, and tears filled her eyes
Compared to the online scandal, Howell’s coldness cut deeper.
“Howell, why are you doing this? You never treated me like this before,” she said, her voice full of pain.
“Margot, this isn’t right
“What’s wrong with it? I’m single, you’re single!”
“I haven’t signed the divorce papers y
yet” Howell didn’t explain further, but Margot understood.
“What? You two aren’t divorced yes?” She looked at him in disbelief. She thought, Has Joanna been lying to me all this time? Her emotions began to unravel
She had been scared and anxious about the online situation, hoping he would comfort her. But now, he was distancing himself from her.
As the reality of the situation sank in, Margot felt her heart break a little more. Things weren’t going the way she’d hoped.
Howell
lip, maintaining some distance from her. “What’s really y going on here!”
Margot, seeing his cold demeanor, laughed bitterly. “Howell, am I going to devour you?”
Howell’s brows furrowed as he looked at her. “If you’re fine. I’ll leave
With that, he turned to leave, but Margot suddenly flung the door open, shouting in frustration, “Go ahead, leave! Just let me handle things on my
Cecelia, who had been waiting outside, jumped in surprise when she heard the outburst. “What’s going on? Margot, we can talk this through, can’t
She quickly turned to Howell. “Mr. Burkley, I’m really sorry. Margot’s been through a lot. The things online have affected her deeply, and her emotions are all over the place.
“Youre her manager? And you couldn’t manage this better Howell’s voice was cold, filled with disapproval.
“Mr. Buckley, it’s a complicated situation. The things Joanna posted have hurt Margot badly. Now, everyone’s blaming her, saying she’s the mistress who hained your marriage.” Cecelia tried to defend Margot, her tone sympathetic.
Enough, Cecelia Margot interrupted, tears silently running down her checks.
Gecelia bratated.
“Whatever, it dogint matter anymore, Margot snapped, wiping her face in frustration
Cecelia grily grasped her hand, trying to get through to her. “What are you saying? Didn’t you see how concerned Mr. Buckley was? He came here at sou as he heard. Can’t you just talk to latin caliuly! You’re being too stubborn”
Cecelia was terlinically seobling her, but in reality, she was trying to get her to soften up.
Margot snapped back to reality. She thought, “Right. I need to pull myself together. Howell said they aren’t divorced yet. I can’t back down now…
