Chapter 26 Avenging The
Past Grievances
The following day at work, Joanna found out that Wilbur was set to return from his business trip later that afternoon.
She dedicated her entire morning to organizing her learning reports, eager to leave a strong impression.
By lunchtime, the workshop was empty except for her.
“Well, look at you, working so hard,” a sharp voice sliced through the silence. Kristy strolled over, swaying her hips
dramatically. She dragged out a chair and sat beside Joanna, her overwhelming perfume instantly flooding the air.
Joanna scrunched her nose. “Your perfume is a little too strong. Mind stepping back?”
Kristy scoffed, tossing her hair smugly. “Huh, you just lack taste. This is a VIP–exclusive, limited–edition luxury brand.”
Joanna paid no attention to Kristy and stayed focused on her work.
But Kristy wasn’t about to give up so easily. She smirked and teased, “I heard you went to Mr. Harvey’s party last night, and
he didn’t even spare you a glance. Joanna, when will you stop being so pathetic? Chasing after people who couldn’t care
less about you—it’s just sad.”
She waited for Joanna to lose her temper. Instead, Joanna smiled sweetly and asked, “Do you know why I dislike your
perfume? More importantly, how did you get it? I don’t think I need to spell it out, do I?”
A brief flash of panic flickered in Kristy’s eyes.
That perfume had been a gift from Rhys that very morning. But how did Joanna know?
Struggling to keep her composure, Kristy sneered. “If you’re jealous, just admit it! If you beg nicely, I might even let you
have a little.”
Joanna chuckled, her tone laced with mockery. “You’re clinging to something worthless like it’s gold, assuming everyone else is as desperate as you. Last night, you threw yourself at Rhys in the private room, got tossed to the floor, and still
refused to let go. And in the end? He didn’t even bother booking you a room. Kristy, between the two of us, who really
lacks self–respect? You know the answer better than anyone.”
Kristy’s expression shifted–first pale, then furious, then burning red.
Joanna had struck a nerve.
The truth was humiliating. Rhys hadn’t even booked a room for her. He had dragged her to the men’s restroom instead.
And afterward? Rhys had rushed off, terrified that Joanna might find out, and kicked Kristy out without a second thought.
Now that Joanna had laid everything bare, Kristy felt her dignity crumbling.
She shot Joanna a venomous glare. “So you recognized me last night. You just stood there and let me humiliate myself. Joanna, you’re such a bitch!”
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Chapter 26 Avenging The Past Grievances
Joanna let out a short, incredulous laugh at Kristy’s absurd accusation. “You’re right. I do enjoy watching you make a fool
of yourself. But ask yourself why. Maybe it’s because you’re an absolute joke.”
Done wasting her breath, Joanna grabbed her things and headed for the cafeteria.
“Stay right there!” Kristy shouted, shaking with fury as she lunged at Joanna, ready to hit her.
But Joanna was quicker. She dodged to the side, grabbed a nearby bucket of dirty water, and dumped it all over Kristy in
one swift motion.
“Ahhh!” Kristy’s shriek pierced the quiet workshop.
Joanna stared at Kristy with icy indifference. “I haven’t even started settling scores with you, and yet, here you are picking a fight. How does it feel to be soaking in filth?”
Kristy’s once–polished hair was now tangled with a grimy rag, and she reeked like she had just crawled out of a dumpster.
Enraged, she let out a guttural scream and charged at Joanna again.
Joanna tipped the entire bucket over Kristy’s head, drenching her completely. The weight threw Kristy off balance, sending her crashing onto the floor.
Kristy flailed, trying to yank the bucket off her head, but Joanna gave her legs a sharp kick, keeping her down.
“Ahh! Joanna! How dare you hit me? You’re going to regret this!” Kristy screeched, her voice dripping with rage.
Joanna smirked. “Still think you’re in school, waiting for a teacher to come to your rescue? News flash, Kristy–Out here, it’s about who’s stronger. And wasn’t that your lesson to me back then?”
She landed a few more kicks, settling old scores in the simplest way possible.
Unable to dodge, Kristy finally snapped. “I’ll tell Tatiana! And when she goes to Owen, he’ll make sure you’re thrown out of this company!”
Joanna let out a low chuckle. “Did you forget? I’m not just Rhys‘ girlfriend–I’m Owen’s future daughter–in–law. If he takes your side, he’d have to be both foolish and blind.”
Joanna usually had no patience for such arrogant talk, but with Kristy, she made an exception–just to twist the knife a
little deeper.
What Joanna didn’t realize was that, high above in the Harvey Group’s top–floor office, Owen had just pulled up the
workshop’s surveillance footage.
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