Chapter 65
"Mr. Everett" Bruce hissed, shushing Cora to prevent waking Joanna.
Cora, frightened, quickly nodded. Bruce pointed to the flight attendant behind him, gesturing for Cora to follow her to the first-class cabin.
Cora glanced uneasily at Joanna, a worried thought crossing her mind: It seems the lunatic Miss Haynes mentioned was Mr. Everett! However, she dared not offend Bruce. Quietly, she stood and followed the flight attendant.
Bruce carefully settled into Cora's seat.
After a while, Joanna awoke, her limbs numb and aching. The cramped economy-class seat had left her stiff and uncomfortable. [Remove the promotional text here]
In her drowsiness, she felt someone gently turn her head, then rested her head on a broad, firm shoulder. Initially, assuming it was Cora, she paid little attention. The shoulder, however, was far more comfortable than the window.
Watching Joanna sleep soundly, Bruce curled his lips into a mocking smile. "Little thing," he mused, "don't even think about getting rid of me!" His prey, he knew, would never escape. Even his marriage to Roxanne didn't preclude other women; indeed, he preferred the familiar to strangers. Morality held little sway with him.
After more than ten minutes, Joanna sensed something amiss—a subtle, pleasant cologne, definitely not Cora's perfume. Her heart leaped; she quickly removed her eye mask. Cora was gone; Bruce sat beside her.
"Why are you here? Again?" Joanna demanded, sitting up angrily.
"Oh, right! Why do we keep meeting?" Bruce replied smoothly. "What exactly are you going to do, Bruce?" Joanna shouted, her voice attracting the attention of other passengers. Embarrassed, she lowered her voice. "Haven't you harmed me enough?"
Bruce feigned innocence. "I'm on a business trip to Melta"
"Then stay away from me!" Joanna interrupted angrily.
Bruce sneered. "Do you own this plane? I'm free to sit where I choose!"
"Hmph!" Joanna, unwilling to argue further amidst the crowded plane, stood and walked angrily toward the first-class cabin. Arguing there would be less disruptive. Bruce followed.
"How dare you say you're not following me?" Joanna accused.
His expression sobered, his tone softening. "Joanna, I need to tell you something."
"I have nothing to say to you! You ruined the collaboration between the Haynes Group and CI Technologies! Do you know what that means?"
Bruce scoffed. "It's just a supplier. Plenty of companies to work with."
Joanna's fury intensified. "It's not that simple! Do you know the effort I invested? The cost to the Haynes Group for your assault on David?"
Bruce's handsome face registered alarm. "So, you're going to Melta to offer yourself to David?"
Joanna paled, shivering in the plane's cold air.
"Joanna, when did you become so depraved? Willing to compromise your pride for business?"
"Bruce, shut up!"
"I won't allow you to see David! He has ill intentions toward you. He wants to sleep with you."
Joanna knew this. To secure the collaboration, she might have to agree, even if it meant sleeping with David. Losing CI Technologies would be devastating. It wasn't just about morality anymore; it was about the company's survival.
"Please, leave me alone."
Bruce paused, pursed his lips. "Joanna, I can compensate for the company's losses, but I won't allow you to degrade yourself."
"Compensate? It's not just a million-dollar deal; it affects the Haynes Group's future international influence. How can you compensate?"
"There are many ways to gain international recognition. I can help. Instead of sleeping with another man, sleep with me!" The words felt like a stab to Joanna's heart. She'd worked so hard to prove she could succeed without him, to prove her capabilities.