Chapter 16
Joanna took a deep breath, picked up the contract, and reviewed it. The agreement was extremely strict, its terms completely overbearing. Given the Haynes Group's current state, completing the contract within three years was nearly impossible.
"This is unfair," she said.
"If you're afraid to sign it, just say so," Bruce replied.
Joanna gritted her teeth. "Bruce Everett, you're going too far! Be a man!"
"Yeah, yeah," Bruce said, slumping back in his chair and puffing on his cigarette. "I'm just annoying, alright? If you're too scared to sign, quit the Haynes Group!"
His arrogant demeanor fueled Joanna's rage. But she wasn't a quitter. The terms were unreasonable, but if she could complete the task, she could oust Bruce from the Haynes Group for good. "Fine. I'll sign it!"
She signed the contract without hesitation, then tossed it to Bruce. "Here, what about now?"
Bruce smiled devilishly, exhaling a final puff of smoke. "Well, well, now we wait and see how things end. Women are stupid. Especially this one!" He'd merely teased her, and Joanna had eagerly taken the bait. He was convinced she would fail.
"I hope you can do it perfectly," Bruce said casually. "Otherwise, you're leaving Greyport, and you're not allowed back!"
Joanna took a deep breath and shot him a cold look. "If the contract is completed, you will leave the Haynes Group!"
"Ooh, I'm so scared! I'll be watching you burn," he scoffed.
Bruce arrogantly stubbed out his cigarette on the conference table and started to leave. Passing Joanna, he was suddenly reminded of the nude photo incident that morning. Anger flared, twisting his thin lips into a sneer. "Don't ever pull childish pranks again!" he spat. "And you shrank my picture? Was that to imply I've never satisfied you in bed? Maybe I should remind you right now how big I actually am."
Joanna trembled with uncontrolled anger, failing to comprehend his words. "What is the meaning of this?" she asked, her voice icy.
"Oh, cut it out, Joanna Haynes," Bruce said, looking down at her. "You like playing dumb, don't you? Never have the guts to admit anything! Ugh, you disgust me."
Enraged, Joanna grabbed his tie and pulled him violently toward her. "I'll admit what I did, but not for some stupid, false accusation. Now, you explain yourself!"
"Ha, like it wasn't you who photoshopped my nude photo," Bruce retorted. He hadn't expected her to tug on his tie, causing an erection. Instead of breaking free, he stepped closer, pinning her against the conference table. He seemed to have missed her physically. He thought he hated her, but he couldn't deny his physical reaction.
Joanna glanced at the nude photo on his phone and snorted. "I'm not that boring. And if it were me, I would have done a much better job."
Bruce snorted even louder. "Who knows if you did a lousy job on purpose? After all, you have a record. Isn't that your specialty?"
Joanna was furious. For years, he'd tortured her, feeling no guilt because he considered himself the victim. He was wrong; he was the villain.
"I'll tell you one last time. I've never plotted against anyone! I've never… slept with you. I was framed. Believe it or not, I don't care!"
Bruce leaned over the table, trapping her. "It doesn't matter. Roxy and I are getting married soon, and I've been sleeping with you for free for two years. No harm done."
"You shameless bastard…" Joanna's heart shattered, her body trembling with rage.
"Oh, and remember that 100 million dollars I offered? You didn't take it, so I used it to buy Roxy a big diamond ring!"
He hated her schemes, her strength, her nobility. The more noble she pretended to be, the more he wanted to crush her.
"Get off me!" Joanna shoved him away, grabbed her purse, and ran to the bathroom. She was having an anxiety attack. Years of antidepressants had overwhelmed her system; she often suffered inexplicable tremors, sometimes so severe she couldn't even hold a cup.
Bruce smirked triumphantly as she fled. To deal with such a woman, one must spit on her and trample her pride.
Inside the bathroom, Joanna opened her bag with shaking hands and took her antidepressants, swallowing a handful with tap water. For years, she'd relied on pills and work to numb her pain.
Ten minutes later, Joanna hadn't returned. Bruce fidgeted, his patience wearing thin. "She's been in there too long. Is something wrong?"
He strode to the bathroom and banged loudly on the door. "Aren't you the toughest? If you're crying, come out. I don't want to miss the fun."
The sarcasm made Joanna laugh, a mixture of anger and sadness. "Yes, I am the strongest. No one can hurt me. Only I can hurt myself!" she muttered to the mirror. The words and medication calmed her.
Upset, Bruce pushed open the door.
"Why do you like breaking into ladies' rooms, Mr. Everett?" Joanna asked disdainfully.
His anger flared. Joanna's heart skipped a beat at the change in his expression; he was too dangerous.
"Please step aside…" she tried to leave, affecting indifference.
Bruce blocked her exit. Joanna panicked. "What are you doing? Get out of the way!"
His sanity snapped. Like a wild animal, he forced her back to the sink and, before she could react, caught her in his arms, grabbing her jaw and kissing her fiercely. He was out of control. Four years of separation had driven him mad. He'd tried to forget her, but she haunted him day and night. "What are you… let go…"
This revised version improves grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for better readability and flow. The removal of the website plug also cleans up the text.