Chapter 165

As soon as Zachary finished speaking, Joanna's pupils constricted. She clenched her fists under the table, staring at him. "I've done everything Mother told me to do," she thought, "so how could anyone still suspect me?" Zachary noticed her momentary panic. Years of experience had honed his judgment of people, and he sensed deception in her silence.

He put down his fork, leaned forward, and met her gaze. "Your silence means you agree?" he pressed, showing no intention of letting her off.

The panic in Joanna's expression subsided slightly, though her face remained pale. "Zachary, are you crazy! Why would I want her dead? Did you see me do it?" she insisted.

Zachary stepped back, a playful smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I haven't witnessed it personally, but knowing you, how could you bear to see Yvonne living better than you?"

Joanna frowned, surprised by his insight. Since Sophia revealed Yvonne's existence, she had despised her. Yvonne's constant presence beside Hayden felt like a thousand insects crawling beneath her skin. Nevertheless, she couldn't bring herself to confess.

Regaining her composure, she questioned him. "Why are you so concerned about Yvonne? Could it be that you have a thing for her?"

Zachary raised an eyebrow. It seems this woman isn't entirely hopeless after all… His playful smile vanished, replaced by an icy stare. "Yvonne agreed to sell me her shares in the Parker Group," he said. "Now, thanks to you, I've lost them!" The sudden surge of rage sent a jolt of fear through Joanna.

"You… What does your business have to do with me?" she shrank back, instinctively wanting to escape.

"I lost my money, and you're asking what it has to do with you?" Zachary stood abruptly and grabbed her throat. Joanna struggled instinctively. "Let go…" But her strength was no match for his.

He leaned close, his ruthlessness evident. "Did you drug me that day?" he asked.

Joanna's face turned purple. "What drug? I don't know…" She hadn't drugged Zachary; she had been the one drugged.

"Don't know…" Zachary repeated, his smile growing more wicked. "No one plots against me and gets away with it, including you."

"I really… don't know…" Joanna struggled, her thoughts racing. Zachary savored the moment, relishing his near-victory. One more second and this annoying woman would be gone forever.

However, his grip suddenly loosened. He straightened, took a tissue to wipe his hands, as if touching Joanna was abhorrent. Joanna coughed violently, taking a long time to recover. "You're a lunatic! That day, I was the one who suffered!" she exclaimed.

Zachary paused, sneering. "Without me, you would have died. How dare you say you suffered?"

"I would rather die than have anything to do with you!" Joanna roared, nauseated by the memory.

Zachary's face darkened; he turned to leave. Joanna cringed and dodged. Zachary's eyes darkened. This timid woman isn't worth my time! He snorted coldly and left.

Joanna finally relaxed, collapsing onto the sofa, venom in her eyes. "Yvonne, even in death, so many people want to stand up for you. Fine, let's see what they can do to me!"

Silence filled the room. Joanna huddled in the corner, radiating menace. Another day passed.

The Parker family's bodyguards remained stationed on the deck. Hayden stubbornly awaited news from the search and rescue team, refusing to let the cruise ship return. Yasir and Nevin stood guard while Richard removed the cold, nearly dried-up food from beside Hayden.

Yasir frowned. "Still not eating?"

Richard shook his head, his expression grim. He'd never seen Hayden like this.

"He hasn't eaten anything for three days, and hasn't had a drop of water," Yasir said. "If this continues, he won't be able to stand it!"

Richard couldn't persuade Hayden, relying instead on Yasir and Nevin. Nevin sighed heavily. "I almost had someone tie him up and force-feed him." There was no way Hayden would listen.

Yasir rubbed his temples, worried. Should I fight him again? He looked at the bruises on his hand and the corner of Hayden's mouth, then abandoned the idea. Hayden had recently fought Marlon; another fight would be unwise.

Just then, Lucy approached. "What's going on? I heard you're not going back?"

"We haven't decided when," Yasir replied, glancing at Hayden, who stood silently on the deck, his back to the crowd, his loneliness palpable.

Lucy's eyes showed no sympathy, only a sneer. "Now you regret it? I don't know if you mean it or not!"

"Lucy, stop being sarcastic!" Nevin interjected to protect Hayden.

Lucy grew excited. "When Yvonne was alive, he broke her heart. Now, Yvonne's dead, supposedly because of him, and he's pretending to be sad!"