Chapter 33
The next morning, Joanna woke to the warm glow of sunlight streaming through her window. Today was going to be interesting
She had a battle to fight–and she was more than ready.
Her thoughts drifted to the two people from last night. She thought, I wonder how they’re doing now? The curiosity was almost unbearable.
After breakfast, she slipped into a white silk blouse paired with a black–patterned skirt. The ensemble gave her the air of an elegant noblewoman from ancient times. Satished with her look, she headed to the office.
Meanwhile, at the villa. Howell had just stepped out of the shower, a white bathrobe loosely draped around him. Droplets of water clung to his damp hair as he ran a hand through it…
Then, his gaze landed on the pink bathrobe hanging nearby.
In an instant, images of last night flashed through his mind–Joanna’s smooth, porcelain waist, her soft, dewy lips.
A shudder ran through him. He thought, ‘Damn it. Since when did I become this weak? How can I be so easily affected by just a memory? Irritated, he turned around and stepped back into the shower–this time blasting himself with cold water for another thirty minutes. But no matter how long he stayed under, the fire burning inside him refused to go out.
The truth was crystal clear now. This reaction–this pull–only happened when it came to her. And the more he tried to became
Howell exhaled sharply, his brows knitting together. He knew exactly what this meant. Because the body never lied, Without hesitating, he grabbed his phone and dialed Hanley
Hanley was still fast asleep when the sudden ringing nearly startled him out of bed.
Groggily, he fumbled for his phone. “Hello…?”
suppress it. the
stronger
it
A deep, no–nonsense voice came through the line. “Find out where Joanna is living now, I want an update as soon as you get to the office.” No small talk. No explanations just straight to the point.
Ever since she moved out of the Menzie family villa, she had gone completely off the radar. And Howell wasn’t about to let that continue
Hearing this, Hanley instantly woke up. “Understood, Mr. Buckley. I’ll start investigating as soon as I get to work.”
Truth be told, he was confused as hell ‘Isn’t Howell supposed to be divorcing Joanna? Why is he still this invested in her?
For the longest time, everyone assumed that the wo
woman in his life were constantly mentioned together.
was Margot. She was always around him, always in his orbit. Even their names
But now! Seeing how persistent he was about tracking down Joanna, things weren’t so clear anymore.
Of course, Hanley knew better than to question Howell’s personal affairs, so he kept his thoughts to himself and agreed without hesitation. Meanwhile, Howell’s jaw tightened as an all–too–familiar nam
name crossed his mindd–Philips
The very thought of that man put a bitter taste in his mouth. Que way or another, he was going to bring Joanna back.
At Menzie Group: Joanna arrived at the office, casually glancing around as she walked in.
Sirena was cowlege to be seen. No leave request. No notice. Nothing.
A slow suck p
played on Joan’s lips. She thought, Still not up yet?
She wasnt worl. Har tral slow was just getting started.
Siren had tried to set fare up, but in the end, she had only played herself.
Clearly, Sirena had assumed she was easy to push around–some she could manipulate without consequence. That was why she had been so bold, so reckless
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Chapter 33
Joanna thought. Hig mistake” Joaima had no intration of playing nice this time. They say every new boss has to make an example out of someone
“Well today. I am going to make sure everyone got the message!
2
Just as she sended into her chair, her phone rang,
She glanced at the screen–Siena. She thought. Looks like she finally woke up.
The moment Joanna picked up the phone. Sirena exploded like a firecracker. “You bitch, did you have something to do with this?”
Sirena was obviously livid, her words practically dripping with venom.
Joanna held the phone away from her eat and spoke calmly. “Ms. Field, I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s almost time for work, and you’re still not here. Planning to skip today“”
Her composed tone only made Sirena even more furious, making
stomp her foot in frustration.
“I’m not letting this slide! You definitely set me up last night? Sirena snarled.
When she’d w
woken up this morning, she’d found herself covered in marks, with that pig of a man, Luke, asleep beside her.
She was absolutely livid. Sure, something like this had happened before, but this time it was different
She’d planned to send 1 Joanna to Luke’s bed and watch her get humiliated, but instead, she had ended up the one being outplayed.
Sirena’s blood was boiling, but she quickly regained her composure. She had already spoken to Luke. She couldn’t let Joanna have the last laugh.
She had to make sure the deal didn’t go through. She thought, “What would she tell Mr. Menzie if we lost Luke as a client? If Joanna is behind that, she’d be out of a job for sure.”
Sirena was set on watching this whole thing i
he unfold.
But Luke was furious too. He couldn’t believe Joanna had tricked him. He had almost had her–almost. But now,
It was a massive blow to his ego. If word got out, he’d be a laughingstock–taken for a fool by a woman
So, unless Joanna groveled at his feet and begged for forgiveness, he wouldn’t let this go
Luke licked his lips in anticipation, waiting for Joanna to come crawling back.
Joanna, however, wasn’t even fazed by Sirena’s threats. She let out a soft laugh.
the was gone.
“Ms. Field, are you playing the blame game? Should I remind you of how you tried to set me up last night? Want me to spell it out for you!”
If it weren’t for her pregnancy and needing to be cautious, last night would’ve been even more e
entertaining
Sirena froze. She thought, “No way. She must be bluiting
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you weren’t feeling well, I would’ve helped you to rest. But you chose to set me up.
“How about we take a look at the hotel’s security footage and see what really happened? Sirena said, her tone oozing confidence. She was sure Joanna didn’t have any evidence.
“Really? What if I do have evidence?” Joanna said, her voice casual but full of challenge. “How about I post it in the company group chat for everyone to enjoy!!
Evidence? What evidence? Suena stammered, her confidence beginning to crack.
“Ol just the ‘performaner‘ you
I Lake put on last night. Would you like a reminder Joanna’s tone was almost lighthearted. How dare your Sirena shouted in Tury
“Ms. Field, If you don’t show up for work soon, I’ll assume you’re skipping. Do you really want to keep talking about this?” Joanna said, rubbing forehead Slar hadn’t slept well, and the image of Howell–the bastard–kept running through her mind.
His scent still seemed to linger in her thoughts. “What’s wrong with me she wondered. ‘Why am I still thinking about him? Maybe it is just because he wouldn’t leave me alter lately like a ghost that wouldn’t go away
ou really think after what happened last night, Luke is still going to sign the contract? You’ll lose his as a client, and then you can kiss your job goodbye. Sirena suered.
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Chapter 33
“Oh, really?” Joanna replied coolly. “How about we make a bet? I’m confident Luke will still sign the contract.”
Her voice was calm, her confidence unwavering, leaving Sirena seething in silence.
