Chapter 12

"Mrs. Haynes, what do you think of Joanna's relationship with Mr. Grimm?"

"Rumor has it that Joanna has bought into Starlight Media. Is that true?"

"It's her private business. You should ask her!" Ingrid's face darkened. She was in no mood for an interview. "Stealing men from other women and taking properties from others—that sort of thing happens a lot. However, you need to see through all of this. The Grimm family is very respectable! Will they allow a woman like that to marry their heir? Let's wait and see!"

That was a bombshell for the press! As long as it was interesting to the public, they didn't care about the truth.

Ingrid wouldn't let Joanna overshadow her daughter.

In fact, this was precisely why Ingrid had targeted Joanna six years ago. Joanna had been so captivating that Roxanne paled in comparison. "Mrs. Haynes, when exactly will Ms. Roxanne and Mr. Everett's wedding be held?"

"Well, it's been four years since their engagement was announced. Why hasn't there been a wedding? Will their relationship be affected by Joanna?"

"How is that possible? Roxanne and Mr. Everett have always loved each other deeply! Young couples often need to go through challenges before their relationship strengthens. Therefore, even though some are trying to sabotage them, it won't work!" Ingrid said sarcastically, ending the interview.

Her bodyguards escorted her to her car.

Ingrid had recently bribed several reporters and online celebrities.

If all went well, Joanna would be trending tomorrow.

She had failed to completely ruin Joanna six years ago, but this time, Ingrid would ensure Joanna never recovered.

Inside Ingrid's car, her chest heaved with fury, and she swore under her breath. "How could she be so lucky! She was just kicked out of the Everett family, and the Grimms take her in!" "Mom, for your blood pressure, please calm down and drink some water!" Roxanne offered a bottle of water, looking slightly scared.

Ingrid took the water, shooting Roxanne a disappointed look. "You're letting us down, Roxy. You've been engaged to Mr. Everett for years! We don't know if you'll even marry into the Everett family. Why can't you learn from me?"

Roxanne's eyebrows furrowed in distress. She wanted to marry Bruce as soon as possible, but felt it improper to mention it.

Ingrid poked her daughter's head. "You silly girl! You can't even manage one man! Look at Joanna—she had two boys without anyone noticing. You should consider getting pregnant! Your wedding can't be delayed any longer!"

Roxanne's face flushed crimson. She was afraid to tell her mother that Bruce hadn't touched her.

For years, she'd maintained the image of an innocent maiden, telling Bruce she'd only have sex after the wedding. She thought playing hard to get would keep him interested. But over time, Bruce seemed to lose interest. When she hinted that intimacy was acceptable, he said he'd respect her and wait until the wedding night.

"Mom Bruce and I, well" Roxanne faltered. She realized something was wrong. Since her mother was experienced in these matters, she decided to confess.

"What's wrong with him?" Ingrid asked, eyes wide.

"He" Roxanne bit her lip, embarrassed.

"Spit it out! I'm your mother! You can tell me anything."

"I'm not going to get pregnant because he's never slept with me!"

"What?" Ingrid spat out her water. "Are you kidding? Six years, and you've never slept with him? Not once?"

"Mom, you taught me to play hard to get! You said to keep him in suspense."

Ingrid's anger was palpable. She patted her chest. "You're so stupid! I said play hard to get, not be impossible to get! I wanted you to keep him guessing, so he'd know you weren't a cheap whore! That's all! How much money do you think he has? How many women are trying to get with him daily? If you keep this up, he might find someone else!"

"Huh? Seriously?"

"You think you know men better than I do? Enough! Go to him now! I don't care what you do. You must make him sleep with you tonight!"

Roxanne bit her lip, torn. "But I"

"I don't want to hear 'but'! Listen to your mother and take the initiative! Stop being a medieval maiden!"

"Mom, what if Bruce says no?"

Ingrid's eyes widened. "What do you mean, 'no'? No man refuses sex! Oh, you're making me so worried! If you were half as smart as me, you'd be Mrs. Everett already! Don't come home with us tonight! I'll have the driver take you to the Everett family!"

"Fine."

Ingrid calmed slightly, but thinking of Joanna reignited her anger. "That Joanna bitch! She's too stupid to mess with me! Don't worry, Mom's here! She'll never take my title as the Lady of Greyport again"

Joanna, exhausted after the meeting at the Haynes tower, returned to her hotel suite. It was a six-star hotel; she'd had a suite for months and hired three nannies for the children. It wasn't that she couldn't afford a house, but the hotel's convenience was more important. "Mommy, you're back!"

Her two sons ran to greet her.

"Yeah, Mommy's home!" Joanna bent to hug them before putting on her slippers. "And Lilia, how is she?"