Chapter 20

They were finally gone. Joanna slumped back in her chair, a wave of dizziness washing over her. Her face was ghostly white.

Cora pushed open the door and hurried in. Seeing Joanna’s pale face, she asked with concern, “Ms. Haynes, are you alright?” Joanna massaged her chest, finally letting out a long sigh. “I’m fine! Get me a cup of coffee!”

“Yes!” Cora replied, immediately going to fetch the coffee.

Cora hadn’t been with Joanna long, but she was highly disciplined and never inquired into matters beyond her purview. This was why, upon joining Haynes Group, Joanna had immediately placed Cora by her side.

It was lunchtime, and employees were gathered in the break room. They had just finished lunch and were engrossed in their cell phones, browsing gossip sites.

“Wow, is that Ms. Haynes? She’s so brazen!”

“I heard she had a quickie with Mr. Everett in the bathroom on her first day!”

“So what? It’s not her first rodeo! Six years ago, at Mr. Everett and Roxanne Haynes’ engagement party, Mr. Everett got drunk, and Ms. Haynes supposedly forced herself on him! She then threatened suicide, which is why he married her!”

“Really? How could anyone be so shameless?” Several new interns, fresh out of college and unfamiliar with such rumors, were aghast. Their youth and naiveté made them instantly outraged. Some even considered confronting Joanna in her office.

“Why do you think she did so well at CI? She slept her way to the top! High-level superiors, business partners, even clients—all conquered by her!” “That woman may look elegant and honorable, but she’s cheaper than a fifty-cent whore!”

Several of Ingrid’s closest associates spread these vicious rumors, aiming to destroy Joanna’s reputation.

“What the… such a bitch! And she hooked up with Mr. Grimm again? Oh, poor Mr. Grimm.” Interns who admired Jaydon felt sorry for him. [Remove the promotional sentence about the website.]

“And that’s not all!”

“Exactly! Ms. Haynes isn’t just a slut; she’s ruthless. She disowned her relatives and viciously ousted Mr. Haynes from the board of directors!”

“I heard Mr. Haynes even suffered a heart attack because of it! How could she do that to her own father?”

“Oh my God, how can this awful woman still be chairwoman?”

“Yeah, how does a scheming bitch like that deserve to lead Haynes Group?”

“Well, you can always quit.”

“I wish I could, but I need this job.”

Chapter 20

“Oh, by the way, have you heard the rumor about IIRS?”

“What rumor?”

“Massive layoffs are coming!”

“Oh no! We’re not affected, right?”

“Don’t worry. If she dares fire us, we’ll strike!”

“But she’s so calm about the internet comments. I’d be hiding if I were her.”

“Okay, enough. If this reaches Ms. Haynes, we’re all in trouble!”

Joanna was aware of the gossip, knowing Ingrid’s people were deliberately inciting the employees. However, she couldn't act yet. She had to wait for her team to arrive; then she would eliminate Ingrid’s staff, no matter the cost.

Back at the Haynes villa:

“Mom,” Roxanne called, “I’m so furious!”

She stormed in, kicking off her heels, shedding her coat, and tossing her purse on the floor. Without changing, she collapsed onto the couch. The maids following her quickly began cleaning up.

“Get out,” Roxanne barked. “You’re annoying me!”

“Yes, ma’am! Right away!” The maids hastily exited. Roxanne’s true nature only emerged when she was with the household staff.

“Why are you home so early?” her mother asked, wearing a moisturizing mask. “Didn’t you go wedding dress shopping with Bruce? Did you find one?” Ingrid was surprised by her daughter’s early return.

Roxanne gritted her teeth. “No!” she exclaimed. “Joanna ruined everything!”

Ingrid gasped, completely unprepared for this news. She immediately removed her mask. “What happened? Tell me!”

“Bruce was signing that agreement with that bitch today. I went to check on him, and I saw her hitting on him! I’m so mad!” “And?” Ingrid pressed.

Roxanne punched the couch. “I fought with Bruce! We were supposed to see wedding dresses, but Joanna ruined everything!” Tears welled in her eyes as she recounted the events. She’d waited six years for this day, and now, with Bruce’s proposal, she felt like she was back at square one.

Ingrid’s face darkened. She lowered her voice. “Roxanne, did you… sleep with Bruce last night?”

Roxanne stared, bewildered. “What?”

“Did you do what couples do? Sleep together? What else could I mean?”

Roxanne blushed. “Mom, why are you fixated on this?”

“You spent the whole night with Bruce!” Ingrid insisted. “Don’t tell me nothing happened!”

“Nothing did…” Roxanne replied.

Ingrid’s anger flared. “Tell me the truth! Did you or didn’t you?”

“Why would I lie? Bruce said he was saving the best for our wedding night.”

Ingrid paused. “Is he… bad in bed?”

“Mom, what are you even saying?”

Bruce wasn’t celibate. Just because he hadn’t slept with Roxanne didn’t mean he hadn’t been with others. But those women hadn’t threatened Roxanne's position, so she’d ignored it. After all, she was his fiancée; she found it beneath her to be jealous of “cheap whores.”

“You’re so stupid! You can’t even handle one man!” Ingrid frowned. “Do I have to teach you everything?”

“Let’s not talk about it, Mom. I’m too angry.”

Ingrid narrowed her eyes. “That little bitch is a disaster!” she cursed. “Don’t worry. I’ll get revenge. I’ll make her ‘famous’ again!”