Chapter 144

For the past month, Joanna’s biggest fear had been encountering reporters. Despite hiding daily, she still ran into them occasionally, making her feel like a criminal whenever she went out.

"Sorry, no comment!" she'd say.

A reporter quickly thrust a microphone toward Jaydon. "Mr. Grimm, when will your movie be released? Also, there are reports your company is evading taxes. Is that true?"

Jaydon's face darkened. Looking directly at the cameras, he stated, "Our company has never evaded taxes. The tax bureau is welcome to investigate anytime."

The reporter pressed on. "So, when are you and Ms. Haynes getting married? What about Ms. Haynes's relationship with Mr. Everett? Have you always been protecting Ms. Haynes?"

The questions grew increasingly aggressive.

"Get out of the way! Stop asking such pointless questions!" Jaydon exploded, shielding Joanna and pushing through the crowd.

"Mr. Grimm, Ms. Haynes, please comment!" the reporters yelled.

The two hurried to their car and sped away.

In the car, Joanna chuckled. "Hah, we're like street rats now." She was used to the slander.

"Ignore those unscrupulous reporters," Jaydon said. "I'll handle the PR."

"Okay," Joanna replied.

"Where to?" he asked.

"I'm suffocated in Greyport. I want to go to the beach," Joanna said.

"Alright! Let's go to the sea," Jaydon agreed.

Jaydon said nothing more, turning the car toward the dock where his yacht was moored. He often took it out for a ride when he had free time. Soon, they were at sea.

Joanna stood on deck, breathing in the sea air, her depression lifting. Jaydon gently hugged her from behind; they looked like the leads in Titanic.

"Joanna, since everyone thinks we're together, why not just be my girlfriend?" Jaydon said, half-seriously, half-jokingly.

Joanna turned, breaking free from his embrace. "Jay, stop teasing!"

Jaydon gazed at her affectionately. "Joanna, do you really have no feelings for me?"

Joanna felt nervous. "Jay, please stop! I don't know what to do."

Seeing her discomfort, Jaydon quickly stepped back. "Joanna, I'm sorry. Don't be nervous!"

"Jay, I'm sorry, I" Jaydon stopped as Joanna's expression changed. "I'm just kidding. Look how nervous you are!" He abruptly changed the subject.

The biggest difference between Jaydon and Bruce was that Jaydon respected Joanna and cared about her feelings; he wouldn't force her. Bruce was the opposite—the more Joanna resisted, the more he wanted to conquer her.

"Jay, you're very good to me, but" Joanna's eyes filled with panic. She hesitated, unsure what to say. Her three children were a burden. Rejecting Jaydon felt ungrateful, yet she knew they could never be together. He was a playboy; even married, faithfulness wasn't guaranteed. Moreover, Joanna was insecure; her divorce from Bruce had shattered her trust in marriage and men. She didn't want to be hurt again and preferred to shut love out.

"It's alright. I won't do this again unless you accept me. I won't force you."

Joanna remained silent, staring blankly at the sea.

That night, photos of Jaydon and Joanna on a date appeared online. Jaydon was shielding Joanna, blocking most shots and scolding reporters; he looked like a devoted boyfriend.

The online comments were brutal:

• "After failing to seduce her ex-husband, she threw herself at her old lover."
• "A modern scheming woman teaches you how to hook up with men."
• "Joanna's two-timing; her affair is a laughingstock."
• "Mr. Grimm is a keyboard warrior for her; he doesn't care about her past."

Joanna didn't dare turn on her phone; every platform was reporting the news. The online exposure was worse than six years ago. She was branded a scheming woman.

The next day, Joanna and Jaydon went to Porash with Cora and two marketing managers. Joanna was in a difficult position. Mossbourne's factory was built; the funds invested. Giving up was impossible; she planned to focus on Mossbourne's market and distance herself from Bruce.

At 9 a.m., Haynes Group employees arrived. Bruce also appeared, surprising everyone. He hadn't been to the company in a month.

Bruce entered the conference room. All senior executives were present except Joanna.

"Where's Joanna?" Bruce demanded.

Luna reported, "Miss Haynes isn't here today."

Bruce frowned. "Why is she absent again?"

"Miss Haynes is in Mossbourne."

"When will she return?"

"Maybe in a week."

Bruce frowned deeper. Luna continued, "Miss Haynes said she'll stay in Mossbourne this week. I'll handle work arrangements."

Bruce left without comment. The employees began discussing his visit and Joanna's absence, speculating about her quarrel with Bruce and the canceled orders from Skywinds and Neorace.

Bruce had read the news, furious that Joanna had met Jaydon after leaving Everett Corporation. He'd come to confront her, but she was at Mossbourne, avoiding him.

"Andy, find Joanna."

"Yes, Mr. Everett."

Three minutes later, Andy located Joanna. "Miss Haynes is at her Mossbourne factory."

Bruce's face darkened. "Let's go to Porash now!"

"Now?" Andy asked.

"Yes, now! Don't make me repeat myself!"

Just then, Bruce's phone rang; it was Roxanne. Since her hospital discharge, she'd moved to Sherane Bay Villa. Bruce felt guilty and usually visited daily, but hadn't gone last night due to his anger.

"Hey, Bruce!" Roxanne said.

"Roxy, what's up?"

"Nothing. I miss you," Roxanne's voice was soft and melancholy. "Are you coming back tonight?"

Bruce frowned. "Sorry, I'm busy now." He hesitated; he was going to Porash and might not return tonight. Roxanne heard his hesitation. "Bruce, you didn't come back last night. Are you not coming back tonight either?"

The passage is now cleaned up with improved grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. The unnecessary website promotion has also been removed.