Chapter 29 Charge For One Night
Owen glared at Tatiana. “You want me to reverse a decision I’ve already made? Do you think my company operates like a department store where you can return things on a whim?”
Tatiana flinched slightly. “That’s not what I meant…”
“Then what exactly do you mean?” Owen pointed to Kristy’s rude face on the screen. “People don’t change. No matter how
many chances she gets, she’ll always be the same. You’re willing to vouch for her now, but when she screws up again, will
you leave the company with her?”
Tatiana hadn’t expected him to be so blunt.
Her eyes welled up, brimming with grievance.
She was beautiful especially when she cried–but her tears stirred nothing in Owen.
Recalling their one–night sex, Owen sighed, handed her a couple of tissues, and spoke a little gentler. “If I was too harsh, I apologize. I just hope you learn to recognize the people around you and keep your distance from those who only drag you
down.”
Tatiana forced a smile through her tears. “I understand.”
Owen nodded. “I have work to finish. You should go.”
She knew Owen was always busy, but their time together had been so scarce.
Tatiana left, disappointment curling in her chest.
The moment she stepped out, her phone rang. Kristy.
Tatiana said into the phone, “I mentioned it to Owen, but he refused.”
The person on the other end of the line said something, and Tatiana replied, “Oh? You mean Joanna…”
Tatiana toyed with the idea for a moment before speaking again. “Yeah, Owen did say Joanna visited him today. She’s his future daughter–in–law, after all. Maybe her words carry more weight than mine. And Kristy, maybe there’s been a misunderstanding. Joanna doesn’t seem like the type to do something so malicious…”
Whatever Kristy said on the other end made Tatiana smirk. “Well,” she said, her voice dripping with schadenfreude, “be careful, then. You wouldn’t want to get caught.”
The last time Joanna tried to cross her, the woman had learned the hard way. Now, it was time for another show,
On Friday morning, Joanna needed to attend two classes, so she requested leave from Wilbur and headed back to campus.
The moment she set foot on campus, an uneasy feeling crept over
her.
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Chapter 29 Charge For One Night
Students walked past, casting quick, lingering glances at her–some filled with curiosity, others with judgment. Whispers buzzed around her like static.
“She’s Joanna? Wow, she’s even prettier in person… Who knew she’d be caught up in something like that?”
“Shh! Keep your voice down. What if she hears?”
Two girls hurried past, their hushed voices barely concealing their gossip.
Joanna clenched her fists. She was about to respond sharply, but she refrained.
She had been with Mathew for three years. Everyone on campus knew about them. When she suddenly got involved with Rhys, people pitied Mathew, assuming she had traded love for wealth.
She was used to overhearing their remarks, but today, the stares felt different. It looked like she had been put on display.
Biting the inside of her cheek, she straightened her posture and forced herself to ignore it.
After her two classes, she was preparing to return to work when a notice went out–scholarship recipients were being
announced that afternoon, and they needed to confirm their awards.
Joanna had always ranked high academically, so losing her scholarship wasn’t a concern.
Since her company was far from campus, going back and forth would be a waste of time. She decided to stay.
After informing Wilbur, she headed to the cafeteria for lunch.
The cafeteria was as crowded as ever. Joanna had assumed she could brush off the stares like she had earlier, but she had
underestimated the power of rumors.
The moment she stepped inside, she felt it–the weight of a hundred judging eyes. It pressed against her chest, heavy,
suffocating.
“That’s Joanna, huh? Such a waste of a pretty face…”
“Tsk, tsk. If she weren’t so gorgeous, how else would she get into that kind of business?”
“If I were her parents, I’d be beyond ashamed…”
Joanna’s grip tightened around her utensils. Her fingers turned pale from the pressure.
She had reached her limit. Pushing back her chair, she grabbed her tray and turned to leave.
“Hey, mind if I ask you something?” A sleazy–looking guy blocked her path, his smirk slimy.
Joanna sensed his bad intentions immediately. Ignoring him, she moved to walk past.
“Whoa, whoa, don’t run off now.” He sidestepped, cutting her off again. “I just wanted to know–how much do you charge
for one night?”
Laughter erupted around them.
The taunting voices surged around Joanna, closing in on her like a rising tide.
Since when had changing boyfriends become a crime? And Rhys hadn’t even been her choice.
The guy, seeing her silence, grew bolder. “Come on, don’t be shy.” He chuckled. “If the price is low, I’ll start saving up. If
it’s high, well… my buddies and I can pitch in. Though I gotta wonder–could you even handle that many guys at…….”
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Chapter 29 Charge For One Night
Before the words even fully left his mouth, Joanna dumped a bowl of piping hot soup over his head.
She gripped the empty bowl, glaring at the guy as the scalding liquid drenched his face, turning his skin red. “Do you have anything else to say?”
The guy shrieked, “Ah! You crazy bitch-”
Grabbing someone else’s tray, he flung it at her
The cafetería melted into screams and chaos.
