Chapter 34

Bruce sneered and drawled, "Stop pointing fingers if you don't have any proof. What did I do? What does Haynes Group's plummeting share price have to do with me?"

Infuriated, Joanna gasped and clenched the phone.

"What the hell do you want?"

"What do I want? Isn't it clear?"

Joanna roared, "I'm telling you, it's not going to happen! The child is abroad and unlikely to return soon! And the child has nothing to do with you or the Everett family! We're all adults. Don't resort to this underhanded tactic."

Bruce stuck out his tongue. "Hehe. Are you angry?"

Joanna was speechless. I'll be damned if I'm not! she thought.

A wicked grin spread across Bruce's face as he said, in a deliberately rascally tone, "I love it when you're angry but can't reach me."

He burst into laughter.

Joanna rolled her eyes. She could have killed him a hundred times if it weren't illegal.

"Do you want to stabilize Haynes Group's share price?"

Joanna growled inwardly, Do you really have to ask?

"Beg me, then!"

"Fine. I've had enough. Bruce, please don't do this again!"

"Is that begging? Fix your attitude before you talk to me!"

Bruce hung up. He felt slightly better, having vented his frustration.

"Hello? Hey? Hello?" Joanna called several times before realizing the call had been disconnected.

Seething, she immediately called him back.

Bruce saw her incoming call and knew she was anxious and angry. He raised an eyebrow and ended the call.

That damned woman hung up on me the day before yesterday! I'll show her the price of that, and how frustrating it is when someone ignores your calls, he grumbled.

"Ring!"

The phone vibrated persistently.

Bruce ignored it, but didn't switch it off. He enjoyed leaving her hanging.

Andy entered to deliver documents. Noticing the vibrating phone, he said, "Mr. Everett, your phone's ringing. Aren't you going to answer it?"

Bruce took the documents and replied indifferently, "Let it ring. I'll answer when this damned woman calls a hundred times!"

He was certain Joanna would call all day. After all, Haynes Group's market value had shrunk by nearly $300 million in two days—a shocking development no one could ignore.

Joanna called four or five more times, but Bruce remained unresponsive.

She gulped and put away her phone.

"Cora, hold a press conference tomorrow. Make the preparations."

"Okay, Miss Haynes!"

She needed to repair Haynes Group's public image and announce their partnership with CI Technologies, reassuring investors that everything would be alright.

Joanna called Jaydon.

He answered quickly, "Hi, Joanna!"

"Jay, I'm ready to take your advice on my image. I'm holding a press conference tomorrow. Can you help?"

Jaydon chuckled. "Finally! I told you a desirable image is crucial for you and the company. I'll arrange everything. Just bring your most confident smile!"

"Thank you, Jay! I'll call the PR officers and set up the reception."

"All right!"

Joanna went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and sighed. She practiced her smile in the mirror. Deep down, she lacked confidence. Tomorrow, she would face numerous media interviews, and she needed to project confidence.

Bruce was surprised by Joanna's lack of calls after twenty minutes. He thought her phone might be dead, but the battery was full.

"I can't believe this woman's patience!"

He furrowed his brow. "This is impossible! Haynes Group has lost over $300 million in the last couple of days! She can't not be worried. She'll be begging me soon!"

Another hour passed, then two more, with no calls.

"Well, that darn woman has composure!"

Bruce felt agitated. He was usually good at reading people, but Joanna was an exception. He'd expected her to be distraught after their divorce, pestering him with complaints. Instead, she'd left calmly, without a scene, and cut off all contact. That very lack of reaction was what made it hard for him to let go.

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