Chapter 108

Jaydon called three times, but Joanna didn't answer. He sent several voice messages: "Have you arrived? I'm already here. Why didn't you answer? Did something happen?"

Joanna's phone buzzed repeatedly with incoming Messenger messages. Bruce's expression hardened. "Whose messages are those? Give me your phone!"

"Why should I?" Joanna retorted angrily, driving. She knew the messages were from Jaydon; if Bruce saw them, he'd explode.

"Give me the phone!" Bruce demanded, reaching for her pocket.

"I'm driving!" Joanna protested. "Stop it!"

Ignoring her, Bruce continued to reach for the phone. Panicked, Joanna swerved, nearly colliding with the car behind her. She gasped, breaking into a cold sweat as the car screeched to a halt in the emergency lane.

The other driver, furious, yelled, "Damn it! Do you know how to drive?!"

Still shaken, Joanna said, "Bruce, please stop this."

"Give me the phone!" he repeated, snatching it. Though locked, the caller ID and message nickname revealed it was Jaydon.

Jealousy consumed Bruce. His eyes blazed with rage. "Joanna, did you arrange to meet Jaydon again?"

Joanna's eyes flushed. "So what if I did? Give me my phone!"

"What's the password?" Bruce demanded.

"Give me my phone! You can't invade my privacy!"

Jaydon called again. Bruce answered. Jaydon's worried voice was audible: "Hello, Joan, where are you? Why didn't you answer? I'm already at the restaurant…" Bruce cut him off coldly: "Joanna's with me. Stop harassing her, or you'll pay the price!"

"Why are you answering?" Jaydon asked. "Where's Joanna?"

Chapter 108

Exasperated, Joanna struggled to retrieve her phone. "Bruce, give it back!" With a snap, he hung up and threw the phone out the window.

He had a terrible temper; he'd smashed numerous phones in the past year. Joanna's eyes widened in fury. "Bruce, that's my phone! What right do you have?"

She opened the car door, only to find her phone had landed in the sea. Bruce exited the car, glaring at her. Tears streamed down Joanna's face as she punched him repeatedly. "Bruce, are you crazy?" she sobbed, collapsing to the ground.

The phone held precious photos of her children and her deceased mother—all gone.

Seeing her distraught, Bruce frowned. "It's just a phone. I'll compensate you."

"Compensate me? My mother's photos! How will you compensate me?!" she cried, heartbroken.

Watching her vulnerability, Bruce pursed his lips, squatting to embrace her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know…"

"Go away!" Joanna pushed him away, locked herself in the car, and started the engine.

"Joanna, open the door!" Bruce pleaded anxiously, pounding on the window.

She put the car in reverse, then forward, swerving to avoid him and speeding off.

"Damn woman!" Bruce yelled, trying futilely to stop her.

He was left alone on the overpass, his own car gone (lent to Roxanne), along with his phone and wallet. Taxis were scarce. He had to walk.

"Shit." Chapter 108 "Fuck."

Bruce removed his tie and trudged down the overpass. Thunder rumbled, and a torrential downpour began. The rain, though soaking him, cooled his anger. Cars splashed mud and water, ruining his expensive suit and hair. He'd never been so wretched.

After ten minutes, he spotted a convenience store. Soaked and freezing, he dashed inside for shelter.

"Do you have a pay phone?" he asked.

The clerk looked surprised but didn't comment; pay phones were rare. "Sorry, we don't."

"Can I borrow your phone?"

Hesitantly, she agreed. He called Andy.

Andy answered. "Hello? Who is this?"

Bruce said coldly, "It's me. Come get me."

Andy was stunned. "Mr. Everett, where are you? Send me your location."

Bruce looked around. "There's a convenience store under the Barlsher overpass. Come quickly!"

"Your exact location, sir?" Andy pressed.

"I just told you!" Bruce snapped.

Terrified, Andy complied.

Bruce returned the phone, thanking the clerk.

12:49 FTI, Chapter 108

The clerk, impressed by his appearance despite his disheveled state, thought he resembled Bruce Everett from the news.

Twenty minutes later, several luxury cars arrived. Andy and bodyguards rushed in. Andy's eyes widened at the sight of Bruce.

"Mr. Everett, are you alright?"

Bruce looked displeased. "Cut the crap. Tip the clerk."

Andy quickly gave the clerk a $200 bill. The clerk realized it was truly Bruce Everett.

Bruce got into the car. "Mr. Everett, weren't you having dinner with Ms. Haynes?" Andy asked.

"Stop asking!" Bruce sneezed. "Achoo! Achoo!"