Chapter 23

Joycelyn's phone call to Ellison connected, but Tommy snatched the phone, hanging up and saying, "You've had too much to drink. Let me get you somewhere to rest." He pulled her to her feet, a leering look in his eyes.

Octavia egged him on. "It's fortunate you're here, Mr. Cross. My sister can't handle her alcohol. I'll trouble you to take care of her."

Dizzy, Joycelyn wanted to defend herself, but her words caught in her throat. Anger burned at being disrespected and set up, yet her body felt drained of strength. She glanced down the hallway, hoping Aurelia would appear, but to no avail. Tommy and Octavia dragged her to the elevator lobby.

Fear mounted as her chances of escape dwindled. She realized she could only rely on herself, and would protect herself by any means necessary. With that thought, she bent over and vomited.

Octavia recoiled in disgust, pushing Joycelyn into the elevator with Tommy. "She's all yours, Mr. Cross."

Tommy seemed unfazed by the vomit. He helped Joycelyn to her feet in the elevator, telling her to hold it in. She ignored him and continued vomiting.

Once they exited the elevator, Tommy dragged her to the hotel room. "Baby, you must be feeling terrible. Let me take care of you; you'll feel better soon."

Joycelyn, having ejected most of the alcohol, felt clearer-headed. She snapped, "Let go of me! If you dare touch me, Mr. Grant won't let you get away with it!" She screamed for help.

Tommy covered her mouth, chuckling wickedly, then pulled her into the room. "Mr. Grant will thank you for your service to the company." He used his room key, opened the door, and pushed Joycelyn inside.

Back in the office, Ellison tried calling Joycelyn back after the line went dead. He immediately suspected something was wrong. Abruptly rising, he told William to prepare the car while he tried calling Joycelyn again, but her phone was switched off. Knowing Joycelyn was a lightweight, he suspected the call was accidental and she was in trouble.

In the elevator, Ellison instructed William, "Text me the address of that hotel. And get Linda on the phone." He forcefully pressed the button. William left a voice message for Linda, urging her to call back immediately due to a work emergency.

In the car park, Ellison entered the Rolls-Royce, not the Bentley, leaving William surprised. The car sped out of the lot, weaving through rush-hour traffic at breakneck speed.

Ellison remained outwardly calm, but his eyes darted around, focused on reaching their destination. The thirty-minute journey was cut in half, attracting the attention of several police cars. Ignoring them, the Bentley screeched to a halt at the hotel. Ellison exited, leaving William slightly nauseous and realizing he'd been brought along to handle the police.

In the hotel room, Tommy threw Joycelyn onto the bed and began to undress, despite the vomit and smell. Joycelyn's mind raced. "Mr. Cross, don't be in such a hurry. An ordinary employee like me can only get ahead with a capable man's support—a capable man like yourself."

With glossy eyes and flushed cheeks, she sat up, a seductive smile playing on her lips. Tommy was awestruck.

Joycelyn cooed, "I need a shower to get rid of this. Be a good boy and wait."

Tommy replied, "Let's shower together."

Joycelyn feigned disgust. "Where's the fun in that? I'll be out before you know it."

Before Tommy could react, Joycelyn locked herself in the bathroom. Tommy pleaded, "Baby, hurry up!"

"I will," she reassured him, turning on the faucet. She splashed cold water on her face, her cheeks still red, lips quivering. Her eyes fell on the hairdryer. "This will do," she thought.

Never having fought a man, her heart pounded. She gripped the hairdryer, practicing her swing. She took deep breaths before turning off the water and unlocking the door. Tommy, hearing the water stop, rushed to the door, only in his pants. "Are you done, beautiful?"

Joycelyn peeked out shyly. "I'm not dressed Could you turn around?" Tommy, seemingly under a spell, obeyed. Her smile vanished. She exited the bathroom, eyes fixed on his back.

"Are you out yet, baby?" Tommy, eager for release, turned.

Joycelyn brought the hairdryer down hard on his head. She followed with a backhanded blow, sending him crashing to the floor. Frightened, she dropped the hairdryer, her instinct to flee.

Remembering Octavia's setup, Joycelyn decided not to take it lying down. She found her phone, turned it on, and called Octavia.

Octavia answered, puzzled. "Joycelyn?"

"Octavia, I knocked Mr. Cross out. Can you come and take me away?" Joycelyn sobbed.

Octavia replied, "I'll be right there. Don't go anywhere." She planned to get Joycelyn and Tommy together to marry into their family.

Joycelyn hung up, her fear replaced by determination. She picked up the hairdryer, waiting for Octavia. She would get her revenge.