Chapter 143

"Mr. Everett, are you alright?" Andy quickly helped Bruce to the sofa. Bruce's temples throbbed, his eyes blazing with rage. Joanna's taser had a high voltage; ordinary people would become semi-conscious after being shocked. Luckily, Bruce remained conscious.

"Mr. Everett, drink some water!" Andy poured a glass of water and offered it to Bruce. After a few sips, Bruce's heart rate slowed. He lay on the sofa for over ten minutes until the numbness subsided. "Joanna Haynes, you bitch! Just you wait! I swear I'll make you beg for mercy!" Bruce gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

Andy left the office, shaken. Mark hurried over. "What happened?"

Andy whispered, "I don't know. Mr. Everett collapsed. It looked like Miss Haynes attacked him."

"What? Really?" Mark's eyes widened in disbelief. Given the Haynes Group's precarious situation, he couldn't believe Joanna would attack Bruce instead of trying to appease him. "Was Mr. Everett very angry?"

Andy's face fell. "Yes, furious. I was terrified."

"Miss Haynes is incredibly bold. She messed with Mr. Everett even in her current predicament. Unbelievable!"

"I thought she was trying a honey trap."

"Hush! If Mr. Everett hears this, he'll be furious again."

Joanna fled the Everett Group building, her heart pounding. She'd nearly been assaulted by Bruce again. The lingering fear was overwhelming. She knew Bruce wouldn't let it go. She wandered the street, lost in thought.

Her phone rang. Relieved it wasn't Bruce, she saw it was Jaydon. "Hello, Jay!"

Jaydon's voice was soft and husky. "Joann, what are you doing?"

"Nothing. What's up?"

"We haven't seen each other for days. Dinner tonight?"

"Okay!"

"I'll pick you up."

Joanna paused, glancing at the surrounding buildings, feeling dizzy. "No need. Where are you? I'll come to you."

"You're not at the office?"

"No, I'm outside."

"Where? I'll pick you up."

Joanna sighed. "I'm… on the street."

"How about we go to that restaurant?" suggested Jaydon.

"Okay. The one we went to last time?"

"Sure. I'll be there soon. How long will it take you?"

"Twenty minutes."

"See you later!"

"Goodbye!"

Joanna hung up, feeling weak. She didn't want to return to the company. Dinner with Jaydon was a welcome distraction.

Jaydon grabbed his keys and left. Carmel Basil, listening nearby, noticed Jaydon was going out with Joanna again and scowled.

"Mr. Grimm, you're meeting Ms. Haynes again?"

Jaydon frowned, putting on his jacket. "What's wrong?"

"Our movie's release problems might be connected to her. She's Greyport's most notorious prodigal daughter. Mr. Grimm, you should stay away from her."

"Are you trying to control my life?" Jaydon was annoyed. He enjoyed his relationships with female celebrities, but knew these weren't love. He liked the feeling, but it wasn't love. Women, however, often didn't distinguish so clearly; they often equated sex with love. Carmel, unknowingly, believed Jaydon slept with her out of love. Jaydon's kindness to another woman made her jealous.

"I wouldn't dare. I just want you to spend more time with me," Carmel said.

"Behave."

"Mr. Grimm…"

Jaydon ignored her and left.

Jaydon arrived to find Joanna already there, sipping coffee.

"Joann, sorry I'm late," said Jaydon.

Joanna smiled. "I just arrived."

"Some food?"

"I'm not hungry. Just a drink."

Jaydon ordered two desserts. He sat opposite Joanna. "Joann, you look pale." Even through her glasses, he saw her pale face and distracted expression.

Joanna pushed up her glasses. "I didn't sleep well."

Jaydon took her hand. "What happened?"

Joanna forced a smile and sighed. Jaydon didn't need her to explain.

"What happened? Tell me."

Joanna smiled. "Work."

"Bruce giving you trouble again?"

Joanna sighed. "I'm used to it."

"What are you going to do?"

"My mind's a mess. I'm going to Porash tomorrow."

"How long?"

"A week. The factory's been taken over. I need to handle it."

Jaydon smiled. "I'm free. I'll come with you. I can look for business opportunities in Mossbourne."

"Okay. If the Mossbourne market opens, I'll shift my focus there," Joanna said flatly. She wanted to leave Bruce behind.

"Let's eat. The desserts are here."

They smiled and sipped their coffee.

At the next table, some young women gossiped.

"Look! That's Miss Haynes and Mr. Grimm, right?"

"Wow! Mr. Grimm! He's so handsome."

"Why would he date her?"

"I heard her father disowned her and wants to fight her for the Haynes Group shares."

"How shameless! She's seeing Mr. Grimm while still involved with her ex-husband."

"So shameless." The girls whispered and pointed.

Jaydon and Joanna noticed.

"Are you full?"

"Yes."

"Let's go."

As they left, they ran into reporters.

"Ms. Haynes, Mr. Grimm, an interview?"

"We're not available," Jaydon said, shielding Joanna. He knew she hated reporters.

"Ms. Haynes, what about your father disowning you?"

Joanna's face darkened.

(The final sentence was incomplete and the promotional text was removed.)