Chapter 72

"It doesn't matter whether you agree or not. I'll make you agree!" Bruce declared, leaving the conference room and heading straight for Joanna's office.

Joanna, exasperated, called out, "Stop! Where are you going? What are you going to do?" Bruce pushed open her door and strode in.

"Since you're unwilling to find an office for me, I'll reluctantly share yours," he said, seating himself in Joanna's chair and putting his long legs on her desk. He looked like a dove in a magpie's nest.

Joanna, furious, nearly exploded. "Bruce, are you crazy? Get up!" She tried to push him off, but he grabbed her arm, pulling her into his embrace as she screamed. He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek suggestively. "Are you so eager to throw yourself at me? Don't worry! I'll satisfy you every week from now on!"

Joanna choked, struggling to breathe from rage. "You're crazy! Let go of me!"

Meanwhile, outside the office, employees whispered:

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Miss Haynes and Mr. Everett were in the conference room for a long time, and now they're alone in her office for even longer!"

"Do you think they'll rekindle their relationship?"

"Definitely! Mr. Everett beat David up at the cocktail party because he was jealous! After that, he took Miss Haynes away. You can imagine what happened next!"

A female employee exclaimed, "Gosh, isn't Mr. Everett engaged to Miss Roxanne? And yet he's entangled with Miss Haynes. Don't tell me the two sisters and Mr. Everett"

Another, older employee chimed in, "What's so strange about that? Polygamy exists. Two sisters sharing the same husband. Gosh, the wealthy have such complicated relationships!"

"Who cares! We only have to do our job and get paid!"

"That's true!"

Meanwhile, Shaun returned home, his face red with anger.

"Dad, why are you back so early?" Roxanne and Ingrid, examining wedding dress designs, asked in surprise.

Shaun took deep breaths, cursing, "I'm so angry! So angry!"

"Shaun, why?"

"What else could it be? It's all because of my unfilial daughter!"

Ingrid's eyes darted; she realized he meant Joanna. "What's wrong with Joanna?"

Shaun sighed. "It's not her. It's Mr. Everett! He was at the board meeting today! My rebellious daughter was about to resign as chairwoman, but at that critical moment"

"What happened?"

Shaun explained, his expression melancholic. "Out of nowhere, Mr. Everett produced a contract between the Haynes Group and the Stark Group! It turns out the Everett and Stark Groups have an exclusive history. If not for Mr. Everett pressuring them, the Stark Group would never have cooperated with us!"

Ingrid and Roxanne stared at each other in disbelief.

"Roxy, I don't want to criticize you, but you're engaged to Mr. Everett. Why don't you talk some sense into him? Get him to stop siding with outsiders!"

Ingrid retorted angrily, "Hmph! That little bitch Joanna is trying to seduce Mr. Everett again!"

Roxanne was displeased. Bruce had proposed, but hadn't contacted her in days and she couldn't find him. She'd heard about the cocktail party incident and wanted to call him, but he'd been in Melta for two days. She hadn't expected him to be entangled with Joanna again so soon!

"I've already said I'll sever my father-daughter relationship with her. She's the jinx of our family! Don't even think about living a peacefully with her around!" Shaun worriedly sighed. "Mr. Everett Don't tell me, him and Joanna, again"

"Why not? Which man doesn't cheat? The key is that he wouldn't do it if it went against his interests. So why does he continue to be entangled with Joanna? It's all because of your daughter. She's jealous that Roxy is marrying into the Everett family and is wreaking havoc behind our backs!"

Roxanne's phone rang. It was Gavin; he'd sent a photo from the internet—Bruce and Joanna kissing passionately at the airport. The photo had been posted online.

Roxanne was stunned, feeling icy cold.

"What is it? Show me!" Ingrid snatched the phone. She felt like her lungs would explode.

"Shaun! Look at what your good daughter has done! This news is all over the internet!"

[Mr. Everett and Miss Haynes were spotted kissing at the airport.]

Shaun's blood pressure soared. "See, what did I say? That slut Joanna won't give up so easily! Roxy, I don't want to scold you, but why can't you control your boyfriend?"

Roxanne cried, "How can I control him?"

"You're useless!"

The photos went viral instantly.

Andy found Bruce. "Mr. Everett, this news will severely impact the Everett Group's image!"

Bruce frowned. "Suppress it. Don't make a big deal out of it!"

Andy contacted a lawyer to send cease and desist letters. But the news spread too quickly. Within a day, the entire internet knew.

The next day, Roxanne stormed into Bruce's office. "Bruce, how do you explain the photo?"

Bruce remained silent for a minute, then looked at the photo. "There's nothing to explain. What you see is the truth."

Roxanne was stunned, tears falling. She hadn't expected such a blunt admission.

"Bruce, how could you do this? We're about to get married. How could you."

Bruce's eyes were cold. "So, are you still willing to marry me? If you are, the wedding is on. If not, it's canceled."

Roxanne took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face.