Chapter 149

"I warned you," Bruce said, straightening his tie. "This is for your disobedience. And it's just the beginning." He gave her a cunning smile.

Joanna’s heart pounded. "Bruce, when will you let me go?"

"That depends on your behavior," he replied. "You have to earn it. Behave, and I might let you go."

Joanna stared coldly. "What kind of behavior?"

Bruce smirked. "You know what I want. Do I need to spell it out?"

Joanna's gaze remained cold. Speechless, overwhelming rage consumed her. After a tense silence, she said, "Fine. You want to sleep with me. Go ahead."

As she spoke, Joanna removed her jacket, her eyes filled with hatred and resentment, a look of forced submission.

Bruce felt exasperation. Does she think I'm some kind of animal who'll take advantage of her? he thought. All he wanted was for her to leave Jaydon. He wanted her heart, not just her body.

"Joanna, why are you degrading yourself?" he asked. "Are you going to sell your body to get what you want? Will you sleep with a man just for what he can give you?"

Joanna's face turned ashen. "Bruce, you're strange. What do you really want?"

He pinched her chin. "What do I want? Don't you know?"

"Please stay away from me," Joanna said, stepping back in disgust. "Let's talk properly. Don't touch me."

Her reaction angered him. Does she resent me this much?

He forcefully grabbed her shirt, pulling her close. His gaze was intense, unwavering, like a wolf's. All he wanted was her love. It was that simple. Why couldn't she understand?

Joanna struggled, panicked. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you want."

Bruce's lips curled into a cold smile. "Do you really not understand? Or are you pretending?"

"I really don't know. Just tell me."

Bruce paused. "I want you to love me."

Chapter 149

Joanna almost choked, disbelief etched on her face. A few seconds later, contempt returned.

"You want me to love you?" she scoffed. "Mr. Everett, are you joking?"

Bruce's expression darkened. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Mr. Everett, you're getting married soon. How can you expect me to love you?"

"My marriage doesn't stop you from loving me."

Joanna sneered. "Are you asking me to be your mistress?"

"My lover," he corrected.

"Lover?" Joanna snorted.

She had loved him deeply once. All she received was humiliation and torture. She vowed never to love him again, the pain still raw. How could she love him now?

"Joanna, I know you still love me," he said. "I can't accept you being with someone else. Stay away from all men—except me."

Joanna laughed contemptuously.

Bruce, infuriated, domineeringly grasped her chin. "Joanna, did you hear me? Don't test my patience. I always get what I want."

"Mr. Everett, stop this nonsense," Joanna retorted coldly. "We're adults. Stop playing childish games."

"Childish games? Do you think love is childish?" Anger surged in him.

A hint of mockery flickered in Joanna's eyes. "Ha! Do you think we have love?"

"Why not?"

"All right," Joanna said, unwilling to continue. "You can say whatever you want. I'm done."

He was always so domineering. She couldn't afford to offend him, but she could avoid him.

His anger simmered at her dismissive attitude. "Joanna, what do you mean?"

"What do you mean by asking what I mean?" she snapped back. "I mean, stop the nonsense."

Chapter 149

"Break up with Jaydon and be my woman. It's your only way out."

"What if I refuse?"

"You'll regret it."

"Do you have to do this?"

"Yes!"

"Why are you doing this?"

Bruce was caught off guard. He didn't know. He just couldn't bear seeing her with another man. He wanted everything—including her heart.

Joanna slapped his hand away, smirking. "Mr. Everett, are you in love with me?"

He was speechless. He was in love with her, but his arrogance and pride prevented him from admitting it. He had forsaken her; even wanting her back, he wouldn't admit it. He wanted her to beg him. He'd pretend to reluctantly accept her, secretly happy she returned. He wanted others to guess, but wouldn't reveal his true feelings.

"Love you? Hmph, what a joke! How can I fall in love with a single mother? I just think you're good-looking and want to play."

It wasn't what he meant, but the words spilled out, heartless and cold.

Joanna snorted, believing him. This was how he felt.

"Then why did you do it?"

"Do I need to report to you?"

Joanna kept her composure. "All right. Get out."

"What? You're rejecting me?"

"Mr. Everett, I only feel disgust. There's no need for us to entangle ourselves further. Stop this immature behavior."

"Immature?" Bruce laughed. He wasn't mature enough with Joanna, but true love was often immature.

Joanna shrugged, feigning indifference. "Fine. Say I said something wrong. Do whatever you want. We've always been enemies."

She turned to leave.

"Stop!"

Joanna turned, disdain in her eyes. "What? More trouble? Bruce, there are cameras. If you use force, I'll report you. Since you've forced me into a corner, I'll fight back."

His face darkened. "Hmph, do you think I can't live without you? Do you think you're my only woman?"

Joanna smiled faintly, a fleeting pain in her heart. She knew he'd never loved her, so she no longer longed for it. "I know you have countless mistresses. There's no need to hold onto me."

She walked away.

"Joanna, you'll regret this."

She sneered, her back to him. "The only thing I regret is loving you. It was the worst time of my life, my greatest regret. A man like you doesn't deserve love."