Chapter 147

Roxanne didn't dare contact Gavin again. Settling the previous matter had been difficult, and she wanted to avoid further unpleasantness. "So what if our sex life isn't great? As long as we have money, everything will be fine!" she thought.

Roxanne tossed and turned until late into the night, finally falling asleep from exhaustion. She missed Gavin so much she even dreamt of him.

The next day, Roxanne woke up after 11 a.m. Bruce had already left for work. After some thought, she decided to call Ingrid, hoping her more experienced mother might have a solution to her problem.

She dialed Ingrid's number.

"Hello, Roxy. What's wrong?" Ingrid asked.

"Mom" Roxanne hesitated.

Ingrid sensed her daughter's distress. "What happened this time?"

"Mom, I need to ask you something," Roxanne said.

"Go ahead," Ingrid replied.

Roxanne took a deep breath. "Wellwhat should I do if a man can't perform in bed?"

Ingrid gasped. "Can't perform? Who are you talking about?"

Roxanne said, annoyed, "Who else?"

Ingrid was startled. "Bruce? Oh my goodness, how is that possible?"

Roxanne sighed. "It's true!"

Ingrid exclaimed, "But you twohow is this possible?"

Roxanne said angrily, "No! I lied before! We tried last night, but we kept failing."

Ingrid found this unbelievable. "No way! Bruce seems so energetic. How could he have that kind of problem?"

"It's true! Why would I lie?" Roxanne insisted.

Ingrid paused. Roxanne's tone sounded genuine.

"Roxy, don't worry. Make him some medicinal cuisine. Buy seahorses, deer antlers, rubber tree bark, and wolfberries. Make a soup to nourish him. It'll definitely help," Ingrid advised.

"Will that really work?" Roxanne asked.

Ingrid replied, "Why not? I have a recipe; I'll send it later. Follow the instructions. If it doesn't work, then you'll need medication!"

Roxanne sighed in frustration. "But it's hard to say!"

Ingrid quickly cautioned, "Don't tell Bruce. It'll hurt his pride! Just make the soup!"

"Mom, what if he can't ever?" Roxanne worried.

"Silly girl, it doesn't matter! Even if he can't, so what? He's rich; he'll find a way!" Ingrid said.

Roxanne started to reply, but Ingrid interrupted. "No buts. I'll send the recipe. I'm playing poker; I'll talk later!"

"Okay," Roxanne said.

"Bye!" Ingrid hung up.

Roxanne, distraught, hung up as well.

Ingrid was being pressured by her two cousins, Wallace and Oscar. Seeing her finish the call, Wallace teased, "It's just 4 million dollars! Your daughter's marrying into the Everetts; it's nothing!"

Ingrid rolled her eyes. "Easy for you to say. Even if she marries into the Everetts, it's their money, not mine! You're both greedy! Where am I supposed to get that much money?"

Oscar patted Ingrid's behind. "Stop pretending. We know how much you have! 4 million for a lifetime of wealth and glory? Not bad!"

Wallace added, "We've been with you for over a decade! Don't kick us out! Let us work at Haynes Group, or pay us 2 million each!"

Ingrid gritted her teeth. "4 million isn't a small sum! Give me time!"

"We've given you months," Wallace said.

Ingrid's face darkened. "It's 4 million, not 400! Who keeps that much at home? My husband would kill me!"

Wallace pinched her butt and chuckled. "You'll figure it out. Hurry up and transfer the money!"

Wallace showed Ingrid photos. "I have these videos and photos! Don't blame us if they end up with your husband."

Ingrid sighed. "Fine! I'll give you the money. But you have to promise me one thing!"

"What?" the men asked.

Ingrid's face hardened. "Help me get rid of someone!"

Wallace hesitated. He wouldn't commit murder.

Ingrid said, "I'm not kidding! 4 million is enough for many assassins. I'll give you the money if you kill someone. It's enough to live comfortably for life!"

"Who?" they asked.

"This person is your enemy too!" Ingrid answered.

"Our enemy?"

"Yes!" Ingrid said.

They looked at each other. "Who?"

Ingrid replied, "Joanna. As long as that bitch dies, you get the money!"

Both men were stunned.

Ingrid continued, "Think about it—2 million each! Enough to emigrate! After getting rid of Joanna, you can leave Greyport and live somewhere else. Wouldn't you be happier? It's like hiring a contract killer, but I don't care. It's my condition. I'll make sure the money transfer is smooth. If Joanna dies, you can even come back to Haynes Group! Think about it. Call me when you decide."

Ingrid grabbed her bag and prepared to leave. Wallace blocked her. "Leaving already?"

Ingrid rolled her eyes. "What else should I do?"

"You aren't going to play with us?" Wallace asked.

"Not today. Maybe another day," Ingrid said. She used to enjoy herself with them, but now she found them repulsive. They were heartless men who slept with her, took her money, and now threatened her.

Ingrid left. Wallace and Oscar discussed their options.

"Should we do it?"

"It's a good deal. 2 million each for killing someone."

"We have to plan well. We can't get killed for 2 million!"

"True. Let's stage an accident. Make her disappear."

"What if Ingrid doesn't pay?"

"She won't dare! She has the evidence!"

"You're right."

Meanwhile, in Porash, Joanna and Jaydon were arranging the factory offices when Joanna's phone rang. It was Luna.

"Hello?" Joanna said.

Luna's voice was anxious. "Miss Haynes, bad news! Stark Group's vice president wants to cut off Haynes Group's supply!"

"When?" Joanna asked.

"Just now," Luna replied.

Joanna was speechless with anger.

The repeated "Search the FindNovel.net website on Google" has been removed as it is not part of the story's text and appears to be a promotional message. The excessive use of ellipses () has also been reduced for better readability.