Chapter 17 Find A Stepmother For Rhys
Joanna paused for a moment before she stepped forward. “Mr. Harvey.”
Owen looked at her, his gaze sharp and critical. “You’re quite the actress.”
If he hadn’t gone out to check on her and overheard from Mathew that the man she had been with that night was Rhys, he might have bought into her sad, drunk act again.
Joanna didn’t quite get what he meant, so she guessed and answered carefully, “I have no ties to him now. You saw me slap him.”
To Owen, her answer was just an act, pretending not to understand when she clearly did.
She always liked to play that game, but he wouldn’t call her out. As long as Rhys cared for her, Owen could turn a as long as she didn’t hurt Rhys.
blind eye
Suppressing his disgust, Owen said, “I’ve already called the company. Get your documents ready and head to Harvey Group tomorrow to complete the joining formalities.”
Joanna was shocked. “What?”
Owen raised an eyebrow. “You still want to stay at your old job?”
“No, of course not.” Joanna quickly shook her head. “I’m just surprised. Why would you…?” Why would he suddenly change his mind and let her join Harvey Group?
Owen replied coldly, “You spend your days in that kind of place. Even if Rhys doesn’t care, I do! Joanna, you were a top student at Qakvale University. Have some ambition!”
Joanna was at a loss for words. Did he really think she was just some woman who tagged along for drinks?
She felt a surge of injustice and wanted to speak up, but Owen had already turned his back and walked away.
Joanna clenched her teeth and followed him.
When they got back to the private room, they saw the waitstaff carrying Turner out.
Not long ago, Turner had seemed full of life. Now, he was a mess–foaming at the mouth as they loaded him into the
ambulance.
Joanna glanced at the half–empty bottles on the table, surprised.
She knew Turner could handle his liquor, but to drink himself into such a state for a business deal?
“What’s so interesting?” Owen pointed at her bag on the chair. “Grab your stuff and let’s go.”
Joanna thought for a moment and then realized, to her surprise, that Owen was offering her a ride home.
16:29
Chapter 17 Find A Stepmother For Rhys.
A few minutes later, sitting in the passenger seat of Owen’s car, she still couldn’t believe it. Owen truly cared about Rhys,
enough to put up with her–the “scheming” future daughter–in–law.
But then again… Joanna had once been with Owen. The thought of being alone with him in such a tight space made her
feel uneasy.
She kept her eyes on the window, feeling tense the whole way.
Luckily, Owen didn’t seem interested in talking either.
When Joanna stepped out of the car, she let out a deep breath, thanked Owen, and hurried off into the night.
She shot out of there like a bat out of hell, as if Owen were some kind of criminal.
Owen scoffed, looked away, and drove home.
Rhys was in the living room, glued to the TV, playing a game.
Owen frowned. “Do you know what time it is? Why aren’t you in bed?”
“Just one more game! I’ll sleep after this,” Rhys said with a grin, trying to calm Owen down. Then, his eyes landed on
Owen’s shirt.
Rhys‘ eyes went wide. He quickly paused the game, pointing at Owen’s shirt in disbelief. “Dad! Did you finally decide to find me a stepmom?”
Owen glanced down and saw a bright lipstick stain on his left chest, hinting at something more personal.
The thought of the person who left the mark made his eyelid twitch. As he looked at the clueless Rhys, Owen felt an unfamiliar twinge of guilt.
