Chapter 29
Margot watched as Howell and Joanna walked away, her gaze dark and venomous. Her hands clenched into fists so tightly
dly that he palms, drawing blood.
She thought. Just wait, Joanna: She would make sure that Joanna suffered
Meanwhile, Howell had dragged Joanna to a quiet, secluded garden before finally
y letting go of her wrist
her nails dug into her
The moment he released her, Joanna yanked her arm away and rubbed her reddened wrist, glaring at him. “Howell, have you completely lost your
mind?”
His sharp, piercing eyes locked onto hers, his expression cold and unreadable. “Are stay away from Philip Why are you still seeing him”
The jealousy in his voice was obvious.
you deliberately ignoring everything I say? Didn’t I tell you to
Joanna raised a brow, folding her arms as she shot back. “Oh, so it’s fine for you to do whatever you want, but I can’t!
“Last night, you and Margot were all over each other, yet I didn’t say a word. And now you have the nerve to come at me with this?”
The more she spoke, the angrier she became. She thought, This man is utterly impossible!
Howell had originally pulled her aside to explain what happened last night, but his temper had gotten the best of him. Now, as he looked at her furious expression, he realized he had completely lost track of what he’d even come to say.
“You got it wrong Margot tripped, and I happened to catch her. That’s all. There’s nothing between us. He wasn’t sure why he was explaining himself—maybe, deep down, he just didn’t want Joanna to misunderstand.
Joanna scoffed. “Whatever is or isn’t going on between you two has nothing to do with me. Howell, at least have some dignity–stop acting like some desperate, shameless fool
“You and I both know exactly what this marriage is. If you want to drag this out, fine. Then I’ll see you in court. Her words were a slap in the face. Howell’s expression darkened, his eyes flashing dangerously. His voice dropped, cold and cutting. “So what, you think Philip is any better! You think he doesn’t mind taking someone else’s leftovers?”
A slurp slap echoed through the garden.
Joanna’s hand stung from the impact, but she didn’t care. Her entire body trembled with rage. “You bastard”
With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off
Howell stood frozen in place, his fingers grazing his stinging check, stunned. He thought, “When did this woman become so ruthless? She has never been like this before. Ever since she left ine, it is like she has become an entirely different person
Joanna’s mood was completely ruined. She had no interest in staying any longer and didn’t want Philip to worry, so she made up an excuse and left rarly.
Philip had been busy with work these past few days and didn’t think much of it.
Even after returning home, Joanna couldn’t stop replaying Howell’s words in her mind. She thought, That damn man. If anyone is ‘damaged
She had cursed lumat least a hundred times in her head by now
Monday, Joanna woke up early, got ready, and headed out.
Now that she was pergiant, her belly would only continue to grow. She had started wearing looser clothing, but the real issue was how to keep this pregnancy a secret from Howell. Their was no way she could let him lund out.
After breakfast, she went straight to the odlice
The moment Joanna stepped into the office, Sirena walked over with a hesitant expression. “Good morning, Ms. Osborne. There’s something I need to report
Noticing her reluctance, Joanna responded coolly, “What is it?”
1/3
12.01 PM
Chapter 20
Särrsa pressed her lips together before saying “Ms. Osborne, we still haven’t secured the deal with Luke. He keeps making excuses and delaying the negotiations. I’ve tried everything, but… I just can’t get him to commit.”
As she spoke, she handed Joanna the tide in her hands.
Joanna took it. flipping through the pages.
She had a general understanding of the situation–Lake was one of their major clients, and they had always maintained a steady working relationship: She thought. So why the sudden hesitation to collaborate this time??
“Set up a meeting with him. IIl handle it. Clearly, if Siria was bringing this to her, she was hoping foarna would step in and resolve the issue.
“Underwood” Sirena’s eyes lit us with what seemed like reliel
As she turned to leave, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk played at the corner of her lips,
on the file, didn’t notice.
Joanna, focused on
Sirena quickly arranged the meeting and sent Joanna the location. Then, she sat back and waited for the show to unfold.
She thought. Does Joanna really think sitting in the director’s chair is that easy! Tonight, she ll learn the hard way. Joanna glanced at the address, then put her phone away and continued working. After wrapping up for the day, she packed her thi herself to the meeting.
Sarena, having spent the afternoon meeting with clicants, went straight to the venue.
When Joanna arrived at the private dining room, she found that Sirena and Luke Hicks were already there.
She paused for a second, taking in the sight of their so–called VII‘ client
things and drove
Luke was dressed in a garish floral shirt, a thick gold chain hanging heavily around his neck. His belly stretched against his belt, and his thinning hair dad little to conceal his receding hairline. When he grinned, a set of yellowed teeth peeked through.
This was not what Joanna had pictured. He looked less like a company executive and more like a lottery winner who had come into money overnight. Sull, nour of that mattered–he was a client.
The moment she stepped inside. Luke’s beady eyes locked onto her, scanning her from head to tor in a way that made her skin crawl A wave of revulsion crept up her spine, and goosebumps rose on her arms. The heat in his gaze was nauseating, but Joanna forced herself to ignore
Sirena stood up with a bright smile. “Mr. Hicks, this is Ms. Osborne. See how much our company values your partnership? Even our director came in person to meet with you.”
Luke’s eyes lit up with interest as he chuckled. “Well, well, I wasn’t expecting such a beautiful woman. Ms. Osborne, it’s a pleasure to meet you Please, have a seat”
attempt at a refined demeanor was completely at odds with the sleazy look on his face.
Joanna didn’t want to offend him right away, so she took the seat next to l
She wasn’t one for small talk, so she got straight to the point. “Mr. Hicks, I’ve heard a lot about you. Ms. Field mentioned that you weren’t satisfied with the propenal. Could you tell me specifically what concerns you havet
But like was a scammed player. He franed back in his chair, smirking. “Ms. Osborne, isn’t it a little dull to jump straight into business! It’s our first time meeting–should we start with a drink?”
As fir spoke, he picked up the bottle and began pouring. It was obvious that work was the last thing on his mind,
Sirenia, watching from the side,
was wher
side, was practically gloating Slar thought, Let’s see how Joanna handles this one.
iddenly remembered—she was p
pregnant. Drinking wasn’t an option. But this was a luusiness dinner.
She wondered. How am I supeal to get out of it without offending anyour? She needed to think fast.
