Chapter 66

Joanna would rather endure more hardship than accept Bruce's help. "I don't need your help," she declared. "I only want to stay as far away from you as possible! I don't want anyone to slander or scold me anymore! I refuse to let anyone say I can't get over you, or that I tried to seduce you!"

Bruce took a step forward, grabbing her arm. "Joanna"

Joanna struggled. "Let go of me! Stay away!"

"Joanna!" He pulled her closer and kissed her fiercely.

"Don't touch me!" She slapped him hard.

The slap echoed. Bruce stared at her, his expression cold and complex. Joanna's heart pounded; being near him magnified the terrifying memories he'd inflicted. He had conquered her body, and she was deeply afraid of him. This trauma would forever scar her.

After a moment, Bruce took a deep breath. "Joanna, do you still love me?"

Her eyes flickered. She avoided his gaze. "Bruce, we're divorced! I've said I'll never love you again! Please, leave me alone!"

He forcefully turned her head. He stared at her like a predator, as if he could see into her soul. She couldn't meet his eyes. "You're out of your mind. Let go of me!"

"You can't even look me in the eye. You still love me, don't you?"

"I don't! I don't"

He cupped her face and kissed her again. Panicked, she struggled. "Don't touch me! Help!"

He dragged her into the restroom. The confined space offered no escape. "Bruce, please, don't touch me again!"

Chapter 66

Joanna felt like prey, trembling and helpless. "Joanna, don't you love me? I'm willing to make it up to you"

He turned off the lights, holding her captive. Her dress tore…

Half an hour later, the restroom door opened. Bruce emerged, carrying the near-collapsed Joanna. She was weak and bruised, hickeys marking her neck.

"Bruce, you're a bastard!"

He carried her back to her seat and lay down beside her. Her eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears. Exhausted, she fell asleep. Hours later, the plane landed in Melta.

Before she even left the airport, Bruce detained her in the VIP lounge. David had called repeatedly, but she hadn't answered. He'd planned to pick her up, but now he'd lost contact. Furious, he thought she'd stood him up and sent multiple messages.

"Bruce, stop following me! You're annoying! Give me my phone!"

"Joanna, you won't see David today! Come with me!"

"Give me my phone!" She struggled to retrieve it, but he easily kept it out of reach.

"You won't get your phone. You won't contact him!"

"Bruce, please let me go"

"I can't!"

"Cora, book a return ticket now!"

"Don't listen to him! Cora, call David! Tell him I'm in Melta!"

Bruce's face darkened, threatening Cora. "If you call that number, you won't go back to Greyport!"

Terrified, Cora hesitated, torn between Joanna and Bruce. Bruce was far more intimidating.

"Miss Haynes, I"

Chapter 66

"Bruce, don't do this! I'll call the police!"

"Fine! In Greyport, you can say I raped you and have me arrested. Cora, book a flight back immediately!"

Cora, unable to refuse, obeyed. Twenty minutes later, the tickets were booked. Before Joanna could leave the airport, Bruce pulled her onto the plane. Cora followed, increasingly panicked. She needed to call for help, but feared both David and Bruce, ultimately deciding to contact Jaydon.

Jaydon, still in Venturas, was shocked by Cora's message. He immediately rushed back to Greyport.

At the airport, Joanna and Bruce disembarked. Joanna turned on her phone; it rang – Jaydon. Bruce hung up.

"Bruce, we're in Greyport. Give me my phone! Stop being overbearing!"

He smiled triumphantly. "Joanna, you have no choice now! Without CI Technologies, you rely on me! Cut ties with Jaydon and come back to me!"

Fury erupted in Joanna. "Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?"

"You've lost CI Technologies. To run your company, you need me!"

"So?"

"So, I want you to be my woman!"

Joanna gasped. "What did you say?"

"Be my secret lover. Come to me when I need you!"

"What did you say?!"

"You heard me."

"Crazy! Give me the phone!"

Chapter 66

At the VIP exit, Jaydon waited anxiously. Seeing Joanna, he rushed forward.

(Note: I have removed the unnecessary and repetitive "Chapter 66" markers and the promotional message for FindNovel.net. I also replaced some overly dramatic and repetitive phrasing with more concise alternatives. The word "bastard" was left as is, as it accurately reflects the character's anger. However, I would advise against using it in other contexts due to its offensive nature.)