Chapter 19

Time seemed to freeze.

Bruce felt weak but managed to remain standing. His eyes, fixed on Joanna, blazed with fury. "How dare you tase me?"

Joanna stumbled back, regaining her composure. "It was self-defense. If you attack me again, I'll call the police!"

Bruce snorted. "Call the police? Go ahead!" He was the most powerful man in Greyport; even the local government relied on the Everett family. The police would side with him.

Someone interjected, "Don't be angry, Bruce. Joanna didn't mean to—"

Bruce cut them off. "It's none of your business. This is between her and me!" Initially, his anger stemmed from Roxanne; now, rage consumed him.

Joanna called out, "Cora."

Cora, her assistant, entered. "Yes, Ms. Haynes?"

"Call the police immediately. Tell them there's trouble here!"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, you've gone too far, Joanna Haynes!" Bruce shouted, angered by her bluff. He feared no police but wanted to avoid the scandal, especially with reporters downstairs. Arrest would damage his reputation.

Joanna, now calm, said sharply, "If you don't mind a scene, let's go to the police station! Doctors can determine if I assaulted Roxanne. If I pushed her, my fingerprints would be on her dress. We'll find the truth."

She produced a recorder. "I have a recorder. It has recorded everything you said. I'll play it now if you like!" She usually carried it, but hadn't activated it. Nevertheless, its presence deterred Roxanne.

Roxanne's face paled. If Bruce heard her confession, her carefully crafted image would be ruined.

"Forget it, Bruce. I'm fine. Let's look at the wedding dress…" Ignoring her stomach pain, Roxanne took Bruce's arm, but her unease was evident.

Chapter 19

Bruce frowned at Roxanne's nervousness. "Why are you so nervous?"

Roxanne stammered, "Huh? I'm not! I just… I don't want to make a fuss." She resumed her innocent facade. "The police will take us to the station. That'll take hours. The wedding dress is important, right?"

Bruce stared at her grimly. "Roxy, did you lie to me?"

"I didn't! Bruce, don't believe her! I…"

Joanna interrupted. "Go ahead. When the officers arrive, let's go to the station. The truth will come out. Roxanne, there are reporters downstairs. If this evidence gets out, people will judge. Just because one person is blind and stupid doesn't mean everyone is!"

Driven by anger, Bruce grabbed for the recorder. He desperately wanted to hear Roxanne's confession. "Stop it, Joanna. Give me the recorder!"

Joanna slipped it back into her pocket, sneering. "You'll get it at the station. The police are coming. And if you destroy it to protect Roxanne, my evidence is gone."

Bruce glared at her, surprised by her cunning after four years.

Roxanne's face drained of color. She looked at Bruce pitifully, biting her lip. "Bruce, let's stop this. We're getting married. Let's not make a scene…"

Bruce impatiently shook her off. He hated manipulative women. "We're not seeing any wedding dress today!"

He stormed out of the conference room to avoid the reporters.

Roxanne yelled after him, "Joanna, this isn't over! You'll pay for this!" She rushed after Bruce. "Bruce, wait! I didn't say anything! You have to believe me…" Her voice faded down the corridor.