Chapter 25
Public attention had shifted from Joanna to Carmel Basil, a rising star in Jaydon's company who'd recently won her first Best Actress award. Carmel's announcement of a relationship with an accomplished actor instantly rocked the internet, a marketing ploy masterminded by Jaydon to distract from Joanna's scandal and boost Carmel's profile. The relationship was entirely fabricated.
Ingrid, meanwhile, seethed over her failed attempts to expose Joanna, despite considerable expense.
"Mom, I told you it wouldn't work," she said.
"Let me think of another way," Ingrid retorted, gnashing her teeth. She then turned to Roxanne. "Roxy, Mr. Everett will be back soon. Get ready to pick him up. Remember to be proactive in your relationship. You've been dating for years; it's time to be bold." She paused, then added, with unsettling practicality, "Are you still a virgin? It's not a bad thing; it would make you more valuable."
Roxanne felt embarrassed. She wasn't a virgin. During college, at a summer camp, she'd had a sexual encounter with a handsome, popular boy. Fueled by alcohol, it wasn't a one-time thing; they continued their relationship, meeting monthly for intimate encounters. He gave her pleasure, but offered nothing else; marriage was out of the question.
As an adult, Roxanne felt the need for intimacy, but maintained a pure image for Bruce, avoiding physical intimacy. Her relationship with the boy allowed her to satisfy her needs without compromising her facade. The prolonged pretense, however, left her agitated and needing release.
Elsewhere, Bruce, bound by filial duty to his grandmother, reluctantly agreed to visit Joanna for the sake of seeing their child. Early the next morning, he went to the Haynes Group, only to learn Joanna had been absent for days. He lacked her number—she'd always initiated contact, and he'd never bothered to save it. Four years after their divorce, her number was gone, but he could still message her through Facebook Messenger. He hadn't deleted her, sometimes hoping for a message. His initial assumption that she’d desperately try to win him back proved wrong; Joanna was fiercely independent.
His face darkening, Bruce located her Messenger account. Her profile picture was a vibrant high school photo, a stark contrast to the present. He hesitated, then typed "Hello"—his first attempt at contact. (Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.) A dry cough masked his nervousness. His pride wouldn't allow easy admission of his concern.
An hour passed with no reply. His frustration mounted. "How dare she ignore me!" he thought, sending a second message: "We need to talk." Still no response. His anger boiled over; he loosened his tie, smoked several cigarettes, then ordered Andy to schedule a shareholder's meeting—a thinly veiled pretext to see Joanna.
The next day, Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul arrived early, well aware that Bruce's word held more weight than Joanna's. Bruce arrived ten minutes before the scheduled nine o'clock meeting. Joanna arrived, impeccably dressed in a black Dior suit, her hair in a low ponytail, looking cool and composed.
Bruce, feigning a chance encounter, approached her.
"Joanna," he said.
"Mr. Everett," she replied.
"You've been missing for days. I thought you were dead," he said sarcastically, instantly regretting his harsh tone. His privileged upbringing had fostered a poor temper.
Joanna rolled her eyes. Bruce pressed on, asking about his unanswered messages. Joanna explained she no longer used that account. His sarcastic response, "So I should go to the company to find you?", led to Joanna handing him her business card—with only her office number and hours. Bruce was speechless, stung by her reluctance to give him her personal number.