Chapter 36
Jeremy’s sharp gaze locked onto Joanna like a lawk, the veins on his temple throbbing visibly.
He had never imagined Joanna could be so defiant. Lately, she seemed more rebellious whenever she was in front of him, her disdain for him growing with each passing moment.
Complete and utter disdain.
“Joanna, I’ve warned you before–stay out of my business with Nadine. Don’t interfere,” he growled, his words dripping with menace as they escaped through gritted teeth.
“Of course.
While everyone else held their breath in the face of Jeremy
barely restrained fury, Joanna remained calm. She appeared indifferent, as though she couldn’t care less.
She nodded in agreement with startling ease. “Rest assured, Mr. Hansen, I won’t say another word about your affairs with Ms. Slinger.
Having done enough foolish things to bury herself, Joanna now felt more clear–headed
than ever.
She smiled faintly, her bright eyes glimmering with a detached elegance. “And please, Mr. Hansen, sign the divorce papers as soon as possible. That way, Ms. Slinger, the woman you love, can officially become Mrs. Hansen sooner rather than later.”
Without wasting another second, she turned and left.
Dominic followed closely, stepping ahead to open the car door for her. Joanna slid into the car, pulled the seatbelt across her, and fastened it.
Dominic climbed into the driver’s seat and handed her the five thousand dollars he had. retrieved. She shook her head. “Keep it.”
“Ms. Thompson, I couldn’t possibly accept this when I haven’t done anything to deserve it, “Dominic replied, shaking his head.
Joanna’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You’ve been protecting me every time we go out. It’s well–deserved. Consider it an advance on your bonus.”
Since she insisted, Dominic didn’t refuse further. Grinning, he nodded and said, “Thank you, Ms. Thompson. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
“Alright.” Joanna nodded, then turned her head to look out the window.
Through the windows of the car and the coffee shop, she could see Nadine holding Jeremy’s arm and swaying it coquettishly, her demeanor brimming with girlish charm.
Chapter 36
Nadine was acting spoiled in front of Jeremy. He gazed down at her, his handsome profile exuding a quiet tenderness. They truly looked like the perfect couple, made for each other.
Joanna smiled faintly.
As the car pulled away, their figures quickly vanished from her sight.
She had expected to feel hurt or angry seeing them together, but she didn’t. Not even at little.
What she felt, surprisingly, was relief.
From that moment forward, Joy’s fate, whether good or bad, was no longer her concern.
From now on, Jeremy’s joys and sorrows, his ups and downs, had nothing to do with her. She no longer needed to care.
It was a good feeling.
That evening, Elliot returned to Maplewood Residences. After hearing Dominic recount the events of that afternoon, he was so furious that he clenched his jaw so hard that it hurt.
That ungrateful Joy Holm! How could someone be so despicable?
Elliot couldn’t help but consider teaching her a lesson.
But before taking any action, he had someone investigate why Joy had betrayed Joanna like that. It turned out it was all for 60 thousand dollars.
The Holms had signed a contract with Nadine, accepting a 20 thousand dollar deposit. If Joy’s uterus wasn’t removed, the family would have to pay triple the deposit as a penalty.
Nadine had promised them that if they helped her stage this act in front of Jeremy, the penalty would be waived, and they could even keep the 20 thousand dollar deposit.
For 20 thousand dollars, Joy had betrayed Joanna without a second thought, stabbing her
in the back.
When Elliot learned the truth, he was so angry that he laughed.
20 thousand dollars to buy the conscience of Joy and her family?
How utterly cheap.
