Chapter 61

“David, I really can’t drink anymore…”

“Joann, are you drunk?” David’s voice was ambiguous.

David leaned closer to Joanna, gently cupping her head and resting it on his shoulder. Joanna felt dizzy, her body hot and weak. Everyone else was socializing, too preoccupied to intervene.

“Joann…”

David gently held her hand. Before he could move, someone grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up. Startled, David turned to see who it was, only to receive a powerful punch to the face.

“Ah!” David groaned, his glasses flying off. Blood gushed from his nose.

The onlookers gasped and rushed forward. David stared in horror at his attacker. Joanna, dazed and too drunk to stand, tried to intervene.

“Bruce…” she mumbled.

“Bang!” Bruce, his eyes bloodshot, was furious. He pulled David up and punched him again.

“Why did you hit him?” Security guards approached, but upon seeing Bruce, they hesitated, intimidated by his presence. David’s associates were equally fearful, remaining motionless.

For the next few minutes, Bruce relentlessly punched and kicked David, who curled up, protecting his head.

“Bruce, stop!” Joanna, though drunk, was still partially conscious. But no one dared intervene.

Andy, seeing David’s critical state, stepped in. “Mr. Everett, that’s enough. If you continue, he will die!”

Bruce frowned, shaking his aching hand, and finally stopped. He then strode to the sofa, removed his jacket, and covered Joanna’s exposed shoulder. Under the horrified gaze of everyone, he lifted her horizontally in his arms.

“Let go of…” Joanna mumbled drowsily.

Bruce remained silent, his expression cold as he carried Joanna out of the villa. Cora and Luna rushed to David’s side.

“David, are you alright?”

“Call an ambulance now!”

Chapter 61 (Continued)

David’s nose was broken, his shirt torn. Humiliated, he pushed everyone away and stood up angrily. “Tell Joanna there will be no further collaboration between CI Technologies and the Haynes Group!” With that, they stormed off.

Whispers followed: “What’s going on?” “Mr. Everett beat up David! Our collaboration is probably doomed.” “Why would Mr. Everett hit David for no reason?” “I think David kept pushing Miss Haynes to drink. Mr. Everett couldn’t stand it anymore.” “Tsk! Looks like Mr. Everett still has feelings for his ex-wife!” “Don’t say that. He’s Miss Haynes’s brother-in-law now! He wouldn’t want her bullied!” “Haha, I didn’t come for nothing today! The gossip is amazing…”

The festive atmosphere was shattered. Guests departed in dismay.

“Bruce, let go of me. Where are you taking me?”

Bruce bundled Joanna into the car. “Go to Reagan No. 8 Residence!”

“Alright, Mr. Everett!” The driver responded, starting the car.

Joanna felt nauseous, unable to vomit. Allergic to alcohol, her face was flushed crimson. Bruce remained silent, his eyes filled with a dark intensity.

The car arrived at Reagan No. 8 Residence, Bruce and Joanna’s former marital home. He hadn't been back since their divorce four years prior.

Seeing Bruce’s car, the servants rushed out, shocked by his return. They felt like they were witnessing the return of the actual owners after years of stewardship.

Bruce carried Joanna inside. The villa, though largely unattended, was meticulously kept, much as it was when he left.

He carried Joanna straight to the bathroom, placing her in the bathtub and turning on the showerhead, drenching her.

Chapter 62

“Uh, what are you doing?”

The cold water jolted Joanna awake. She struggled weakly, too weak to rise. Bruce, enraged, used the showerhead to spray her face. He couldn’t stand the sight of her heavy makeup and revealing clothes.

“Are you crazy…”

The water washed away her makeup. Bruce then used his hands to clean her face.

“Ugh. Let go of me!” Joanna cried, feeling overwhelmed. Bruce tore off her gown. He then wrapped a towel around her and lifted her from the tub.

“Joanna, you’re so cheap! When did you become an escort? Do you climb into men’s beds to talk business? Since you want to sleep with other men, you might as well sleep with me!”

He threw her onto the bed.

“Ah!” Despite the soft mattress, she was dizzy from the fall. Bruce loosened his tie, his anger boiling.

“No…”

He pounced, pinning her down like a predator.

“Urgh…” Before she could react, he kissed her fiercely.

“Ugh, what are you doing? Let go…” Joanna struggled, her fear overwhelming. She remembered the violence of their past, the fear and submission ingrained within her.