Chapter 15
“Hey, I’m just picking up tina from her preschool. You and Norbert shosild probably wrap things up and head home a bit erly Grace and
Norbert’s moth.
Between Grace and
Grace and Joanna, things were mostly smooth, except for Grace’s bias towards heys and her nagting about wanting
Feeling guilty about Luns not bring a blood Wesley, Joanna rarely asked Grace to fetch Luna. “Grace, is
rything okay?” Joanna inquired.
was
Grace had opened her beauty salon the year before, and it was doing great. She was always swamped and usually met up with them outside their home, rarely dropping by
Grace’s voice dropped to a whisper, adding a touch of intrigue. “I’ve got some news.
At this, Joanna’s eyes widened with shock.
patriarch of the Wesley family has come to
Six months ago, Norbert’s real roots came to light–he was the offspring of Jadevale’s prem Zane Wesley, the eldest among them. The patriarch of the family was Zane’s cousin.
sancial powerhouse, the Wesleys. His biological dad was
Norbert’s acceptance into the Wesley family fold hinged on the patriarch’s approval, and even with the patriarch in a coma, they wouldn’t dare to claim Norbert without it.
They had figured it was a long shot for the patriarch to ever wake up after being in a coma for half a decade.
Before ending the call, Grace offered some serious advice to Joanna. “Listen, the Wesley family patriarch is in Tarrendale now, and his waking up is still under wraps. You and Norbert should swing by and make a good impression before it hits the news.”
She added, “This guy is Norbert’s uncle, and he holds all the cards on whether Norbert gets accepted into the family. Show him respect, keep thing smooth.”
Pausing to let her words sink in, Grace continued, “Joanna, as Norbert’s wife, don’t let work take over your life. Give him a son soon. If Norbert gets the family’s blessing, you’ll be the talk of the town.”
Joanna’s mouth turned down, a wave of weariness hitting her. Five years into their marriage, Norbert had never been intimate with her, and now divorce was on the table. Having a child was out of the question.
Besides, bringing a child into a loveless marriage felt wrong. She didn’t want a son. Luna was enough for her.
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Joanna suddenly recalled something. Susan had moved into their house. With Grace coming back, she might bump into Susan any minute. Reaching for her phone, Joanna found Norbert’s number.
As she punched in the numbers, Joanna hesitated. To Norbert, Susan was the golden girl, while she was the perpetual screw–up. “Why bother warning him?” she wondered to herself, letting her hand drop.
Joanna stepped out of the office into the evening downpour, the rain now falling harder than it had all day. It blurred her view like a sheer curtain.
She paused on the steps, realizing she’d left her umbrella behind. Glancing down at her phone, she saw the message she’d just sent to Kenneth: [‘m really upset. Please help me. Only you can help me now]
This was a first for Joanna–begging a man for a reply, something she’d never done except with Norbert.
Her quest for revenge over her mother’s death was her driving force. The more Brielle loved Kenneth, the more Joanna was determined to win him over for her vengeful plan. But with no reply from Kenneth, despair washed over her
Right then, Joanna’s head jerked up at the sound of a familiar voice. “Mr. Wesley, the roads are slippery in this rain. Please take it slow,” Emma said,
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Chapter 15
There was Norbert, stepping out of the building, unfurling a black umbrolla as Emma walked by his side. He hold it high, shielding them both.
Their eyes locked for a moment, but Norbert’s held no warmth. To him, Joanna was less than nothing breath even his secretary. A gust of wind swept through, cold raindrops pelling Joanna’s shivering form
Norbert hesitated at the sight, his grip on the umbrella easing “Emma,” he called, his tone suggesting he was about to offer some instruction.
Meanwhile, Joanna’s phone burred in the quiet, startling her. “Ms. Mayfield.” Kenneth’s voice came through. “We said no more meetings. Vihar’s this
Holding the phone to her ear, Joanna glanced at Norbert, memories flickering through her mind: his favoritism towards Susan, his constant doubt in her, and Susan’s indifference as Brielle took Lillian’s life.
A soft smile graced Joanna’s lips. “I missed you. Is that a problem?”
Joanna heard Kenneth’s silence stretch tight. When he spoke again, his voice had an ity edge. “Ms. Mayfield, I don’t have time for games. Just be straight with me.
Joanna twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes meeting Norbert’s. His gaze was piercing, but she responded with a sultry edge to her voice, “I’m being straight with you. Higured the tests I sent made my feelings pretty clear,”
Around them, employees descended the stairs, catching sight of this and murmuring to each other.
“Check it out; is Ms. M Mayfield seeing someone?” one whispered.
“Bet she is another replied. “Why else would she be glowing after Mr. Wesley suspended her?”
“Ms. Mayfield’s stunning” a third chimed in. “Whoever her guy is, he’s one lucky dude.”
Just a few steps away, Norbert was an edge, visibly wrestling with his temper
“Mr. Wesley?” Emma prompted, waiting for his instructions while casting a disbelieving glance at Joanna.
“Let’s go.” Norbert replied coldly, feeling like he’d lost his mind for even considering giving Joanna an umbrella.
At that moment, Kenneth’s voice came through the phone, casual yet cutting. “But I remember you complaining about my performance in bed. So, how was it that night, Ms. Mayfield? Did you have a good time?”
Joanna’s knuckles turned white as she clutched her phone, taken aback by Kenneth’s question. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Norbert’s dark look as he strode past her without a word.
Biting her lip, she replied, aiming to appease Kenneth and provoke Norbert at the same time, “I was just playing coy. You’re amazing in bed. It was a great night. You’re the best I’ve ever been with.”
Under the gloomy, rain–drenched sky, Norbert halted abruptly and wheeled on Joanna, his eyes ablaze. Without a word, he pivoted and strode off, clutching the umbrella to shield himself, leaving Emma behind. Emma, shocked and drenched, hurried to keep pace with him.
Joanna closed her eyes, a void opening within her. She might have appeared victorious, but she felt the sting of defeat. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed the call with Kenneth had ended.
A moment later, her phone buzzed with a message from Kenneth: [Velvet Vista Hotel, Room 1903 |
That night, the rain came down in sheets, Joanna hesitated, then headed to Velvet Vista Hotel, her clothes clinging to her, drenched from the downpour,
She stepped into the elevator, her heart pounding as she pressed the button for the nineteenth floor. Outside Room 1903, she paused, her hand hovering over the door,
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11:41
Chapter 15
May]
It had been a while since that fateful night w
with Kenneth at Velvet Vista Hotel, Joanna felt a shiver of und
The door swung open with a click, catching Joanna all guard. There was Kenneth, clad in a black robe, the room’s bright lights casting him in thouette.
Her breath hitched. She had to give to him; Kenneth was undeniably handsome, even more so than forbert ‘Of course, he’s a gigol, she mused to herself. “A striking appearance is part of the jobs, right?
Fresh from the shower, Kenneth’s hair dripped, his robe hanging loosely, revealing a muscular chest and well defined abn Joanna’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away, “Kenneth, cover up,” she said.
He chuckled, the picture of nonchalance. “What’s the point? It’s just going to come off,” he replied, catching her wrist and guiding her into the room. The door shut with a thud. Joanna stiffened as he led her to the bathroom. “Ms. Mayfield, we’ve been intimate before, so no need to play coy,” he said, releasing her hand. “Take a shower. Don’t make me wait.”
AD
