Chapter 39
+25 BONUS
At Maplewood Residences, Joanna woke up after a good sleep. The whole ordeal with Nadine and Joy had already been pushed to the back of her mind. However, she hadn’t expected Joy to be just as greedy and despicable as Helen and Benjamin.
While she was having breakfast, her phone rang with a call from an unfamiliar number. When she answered, it turned out to be Joy.
Joanna hadn’t expected Joy to have the audacity to call her.
“Joanna, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have slandered you yesterday, but I was forced to. If I hadn’t said those things, my mom and brother would’ve beaten me to death, and Nathan would’ve left me,” Joy said, her voice trembling with guilt and remorse.
“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry about yesterday. Let’s just pretend we’ve never met,” Joanna replied coolly, her tone indifferent. She genuinely didn’t care anymore.
Besides, letting someone like Joy affect her mood wasn’t worth it. Her time was too valuable to waste even a second on someone undeserving.
“Really? You’re not mad at me anymore?” Joy’s voice on the other end sounded elated.
“Mhm,” Joanna responded faintly. “I’m not. Now, if there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up. Please don’t contact me again.”
“Joanna, wait!”
Just as Joanna was about to hang up, Joy’s voice stopped her. She frowned, her tone cooling further. “Joy, I don’t think there’s anything left for us to talk about.”
“Joanna, I know I was wrong. Since you’re not angry with me…” Joy hesitated before continuing, “Can you give me back the five thousand dollars you gave me yesterday? I can come pick it up from you, or you can transfer it to me. Either works.”
“What did you just say? You want the five thousand dollars back?” Joanna was so stunned that she laughed.
She realized just how blind she had been to sympathize with Joy and help her, only to be met with such shameless manipulation.
“Yes, Joanna. Five thousand dollars might not mean much to you, but if I don’t get it back, Nathan will break up with me. He won’t want me anymore. Joanna, please-”
“Shut up!” Joanna cut her off sharply, her anger flaring. “Joy Holm, if you have even a shred of decency left, you wouldn’t have said that to me. Let me make myself clear–you
strangers.”
are not getting that money back. Don’t call me again. From now on, welf clear–you
Without waiting for a response, she hung up and immediately blocked Joy’s number.
Chapter 37
“That Joy is truly shameless. Ms. Thompson, you really shouldn’t help people so easily in the future,” Janet sald, having overheard the conversation.
Joanna nodded. “You’re right, Janet. I won’t.”
Today was the launch event for Eterna Group’s new product line.
Although Joanna had no intention of revealing her identity as the true owner of the company, this was an Important day. Eterna Group was her passion project, and she couldn’t miss it. Especially since a third of the products being launched today were ones she had personally developed.
The event was scheduled to start at 10:00 am. After finishing her breakfast, Joanna changed into a simple outfit, applied light makeup, and headed out.
She arrived at the venue just in time.
Not wanting to draw attention, she chose a seat in the back corner. However, the sharp- eyed Elliot quickly spotted her and discreetly made his way over to sit beside her.
