Chapter 184

Sophia secretly brought people aboard the cruise ship, a fact Ethan was investigating. Later, the staff seized Ethan's video, claiming to have dealt with him. Nevin's revelation that Ethan was still alive spurred Joanna to ensure Ethan remained unconscious.

Just as Joanna fumed, a maid noticed her standing by the stairs and called out, "Ms. Charlotte?" Hayden and Nevin turned their attention to her, exchanging an unreadable glance. Unable to hide, Joanna composed herself and descended the stairs, her eyes red-rimmed.

"Hayden, Nevin," she began, "I just... I was looking at Yvonne's belongings. I..." Her voice choked, tears welling. Nevin, surprised by this display, considering her previous treatment of Yvonne, watched in astonishment. Hayden remained impassive. "Why were you looking at her things?" he asked coldly.

A single tear traced a path down Joanna's cheek. To an outsider, the scene might have been moving, but Hayden saw through her pretense. Nevin, having fully accepted Yvonne, was entirely unconvinced.

"You're putting on a show," he scoffed. "If you cared, why were you with Hayden? You shed no tears when Yvonne jumped into the sea. Why now?" He clicked his tongue, cutting through her performance.

Joanna's carefully constructed facade crumbled. "Damn it!" she thought, "I was just getting into character!" She pressed on, wiping her tears and looking at Hayden with feigned affection. "Hayden, can I stay and keep Yvonne company?"

Hayden's sharp gaze swept over her. "Yvonne doesn't need your company. Leave."

Joanna's heart pounded. She pleaded, "Hayden, I miss her. Please, grant me this wish..." Her original plan was to stay with Hayden, but with Layla absent, this was her second best option. She hadn't expected such a harsh refusal.

Hayden exchanged a look with Nevin and ascended the stairs alone.

Chapter 181

Nevin, understanding Hayden's unspoken message, stepped forward to halt Joanna. "Yvonne's at sea. If you want to accompany her, I can send you there now. You can join her." His sharp retort was characteristic.

Seeing Hayden depart, Joanna abandoned her act and unleashed her fury on Nevin. "Now that Yvonne's gone, you've switched sides! Don't you think it's too late?"

"Too late, maybe…" Nevin began, a smile fleeting across his face before it hardened. "But you're wrong. I've always sided with Hayden. I only showed you respect because he kept you around. Now, you're a pawn; politeness is unnecessary. And you're involved with Zachary…"

Nevin's shift in allegiance mirrored Hayden's. His words enraged Joanna.

"Don't mention that jerk! I have nothing to do with him!" she gritted, her eyes bloodshot.

She desperately tried to erase the memory of sleeping with Zachary, but the constant reminders infuriated her. Nevin wasn't intimidated; he laughed. "Many saw it. Everyone in Elysiumville knows. If not for the Parker Group, I wouldn't have helped suppress the news!"

Joanna fell silent, closing her eyes. She then sought a way to extract information about Ethan. "Has Yvonne been found? Have her friends heard from her?"

Nevin shrugged. "It's a vast ocean. Finding anything would be a miracle!"

"Didn't she have protection?" Joanna asked casually.

"You mean Ethan?" Nevin's sharp response revealed his awareness.

"Yes!" Excitement flickered on Joanna's face. Nevin's gaze sharpened, noticing her reaction. He chuckled, studying her. "Why the sudden interest in an assassin? He wasn't there when Yvonne jumped."

"I'm worried about her," Joanna hastily corrected, realizing her slip. "I want to know everything."

Nevin let it drop. "Speaking of Yvonne… you claimed to care for Hayden abroad. I haven't settled that score yet…"

Joanna held her breath, sensing a change in Nevin. He'd transformed from a carefree man into someone shrewd and ruthless.

Chapter 1st

Joanna pondered this transformation. "What… what are you doing…?"

"Don't be nervous. I want your motive," Nevin replied, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've even won over my mother. You're quite capable…"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Joanna denied frantically. "Layla saw my devotion to Hayden! She wants us together, to save her son! You don't understand!"

She fled, fearing she couldn't withstand Nevin much longer. "That was close!" she thought. "He almost got me! I didn't expect Nevin to have grown so much. I must be more careful!"

Nevin watched her go, a cold light in his eyes. "This woman is more difficult than I imagined…"

After Hayden went upstairs, Rita informed him of Joanna's plan to discard Yvonne's belongings.