Chapter 26

It didn't matter; he could find her number whenever he wanted.

"No, thank you. I'll ask my assistant to inform you if anything important arises," Bruce replied sourly.

Joanna frowned, her tone cold. "What do you want?"

Bruce cleared his throat, embarrassed. "Well, my grandmother wants to see the children. So"

Before he finished, Joanna's anger flared.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Everett," she said. "We can discuss work matters at the office. A private meeting isn't necessary. Besides, my children aren't obligated to meet strangers."

"Joanna, Grandma's getting old. She just wants to see them. She has no ulterior motives," Bruce pleaded.

"I'm sorry, they can't go," Joanna firmly refused.

Bruce's grandmother was shrewd. She wanted to see the children because she suspected they were Bruce's, and a visit would likely lead to a paternity test. Then, getting the children back would be much harder.

Anger surged through Bruce. He slammed his fist against the elevator wall. "Joanna, don't push it"

"Bruce, that's exactly what I want to say to you!" she retorted. "We made a deal in the divorce. We have nothing to do with each other. What are you doing? Whose children are they?"

"It's none of your business. They're not yours," he sneered, pulling her into his arms. "Really? If I knew they were mine, I'd make your life difficult."

"You're insane," she spat.

Seeing their argument escalate, Cora paled with fear, wishing she could disappear. The elevator reached the conference floor.

"You go first," Bruce told Cora.

"Okay," she whispered, hurrying out.

Bruce remained, using his hands to prevent Joanna from leaving. His voice softened. "Grandma just wants to see them. It won't take long. I'll do anything you want, as long as you take the kids to see her."

"Bruce, my children have nothing to do with your family. They don't need to see anyone. Let go of me!"

Joanna pushed him repeatedly, but his strength from regular workouts made her efforts futile. With a bang, he shoved her against the wall.

"If you continue this, I won't be so polite," he warned.

She reached for her stun gun, but he anticipated her move, catching her hands and pinning them to the wall. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You know I'll do whatever I want."

"Let go of me! Bruce, stop this!"

"Ding!" The elevator doors opened again.

"Oh, Mr. Everett and Miss Haynes. What's going on?" Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul stared in astonishment.

Bruce's face darkened. He reluctantly released Joanna and stalked out of the elevator. Joanna composed herself and followed.

In the conference room:

"Mr. Everett, any announcements for the shareholders' meeting?" Mr. Roger asked ingratiatingly.

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you all, since it's been a few days," Bruce replied.

Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul were stunned. "Seeing you're both well, I'm reassured. You're dismissed."

Their confusion deepened. They had anticipated a major announcement and prepared diligently, only to feel utterly tricked.

Bruce frowned. "I have nothing to announce. The meeting is adjourned." His quiet words held an intimidating authority.

"What?" Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul exchanged bewildered glances.

"Very well, we'll leave then," Mr. Paul stammered.

"Mr. Roger, Mr. Paul, please wait!" Joanna intervened.

Bruce glared. "I told them to go."

"Yes, we should leave now," Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul hastily agreed, fleeing the room.

Joanna's anger ignited. "Bruce, what the hell are you doing? This is the workplace, not a playground!"

"So? It's my prerogative. What are you going to do about it?" he challenged.

"You're shameless!" she seethed.

"Take the kids to see Grandma, or I'll disrupt your work every day," he threatened, grabbing her wrist.

"Just talk! Don't touch me!" she panicked, struggling to free herself.

Bruce felt a surge of uncontrollable desire, the familiar scent of Joanna igniting his senses. He pressed her against the conference table.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

He succumbed to the urge to possess her, deciding to conquer her stubbornness once more. The "FindNovel.net" advertisement has been removed as it is irrelevant to the text.