Chapter 8 One Word One Slap
Joanna didn’t respond right away, and that clearly irritated Tatiana. “Why are you so quiet?” she asked.
One of their roommates jumped in, eager to flatter. “She’s probably just as stunned as the rest of us.”
Snapping out of her daze, Joanna forced a smile and played along. “Yeah, I’m just… shocked.”
Owen, a man like that, dating a college girl?
It caught her off guard, sure, but was it really surprising? Not really.
After all, men like Owen–powerful, wealthy businessmen–were always drawn to younger women.
Just like he had been with her. Joanna’s gaze darkened.
The moment she learned Owen was Rhys‘ father, a troubling thought crept into her mind–perhaps what happened last night wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
Owen wasn’t the type to be easily manipulated by someone like Norene. But the Powell family was dead set on marrying her to Rhys, and Norene wasn’t stupid enough to risk letting her get entangled with his father instead.
That meant Owen’s presence that night… was probably just a coincidence.
Even if it was an accident, it didn’t change the fact that she hated him–for taking advantage of her, for making her feel so powerless. But more than anything, she hated how he’d brushed it off like it meant nothing.
The next day, Joanna attended a school–organized job fair.
With graduation looming, it was time to step into the real world.
Hours of interviews later, she secured a position she actually liked and signed the contract on the spot.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt genuine happiness.
She had a plan–a bold one. She refused to spend her life under the Harveys‘ thumb. If she could earn enough to clear Martha’s medical debts, she’d leave Qakvale for good.
And today, she had taken the very first step toward that freedom.
Just then, Norene stepped out of a meeting room across the hallway.
Their eyes locked, and without hesitation, Joanna’s expression iced over as she turned to walk away.
But Norene wasn’t about to let Joanna go so easily. She caught up, her voice dripping with amusement. “Did you sleep well last night? Because I did. Mathew’s arms are surprisingly warm, you know. My dear sister, I can’t help but envy you. You got to enjoy that warmth for three years… but now, it’s my turn.”
Joanna couldn’t stand another second of it. “Don’t call me sister. I don’t have such a vile sister!”
Norene’s smirk only widened. “Oh? But you didn’t seem to mind the other night–lying beneath that man, enjoying yourself. You didn’t think my arrangement vile back then, were you?”
Joanna stopped abruptly, and her fists clenched at her sides.
Her teeth ground together as she shot Norene a murderous glare. “Norene, my patience has limits.”
Norene tilted her head, unbothered. “And what happens when it runs out? Are you gonna lash out at me? Please. You wouldn’t dare. Because if you do, your dear mother…”
A sharp crack cut her off.
Norene’s head whipped to the side, her cheek instantly blooming red with the mark of Joanna’s palm. She stared in shock, completely unprepared for the slap.
Joanna flexed her fingers, shaking out the numbness. Her voice was cold. “For every word that leaves your mouth, I’ll give you another one.”
Norene had never been slapped before in her life. Shaking with fury, she gritted her teeth and spat, “How dare you—Ah!”
She barely had time to react before more slaps struck her face, leaving angry red marks. “Joanna, you—ah!” she sputtered, but Joanna didn’t hesitate, delivering two more sharp slaps.
Dazed, Norene glared at her with hatred. “Do you really think I won’t cut off your mom’s medical treatment right this second?”
Before the threat even settled, another slap sent her head snapping to the side.
The crisp sound of each slap echoed as Joanna continued without mercy, slapping her left, then right, over and over. Tears welled up in Norene’s eyes, and she finally broke into sobs. “I was wrong! I’ll apologize, okay?”
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Joanna didn’t stop and landed a few more.
Norene couldn’t understand–why was Joanna still hitting her even after she apologized? Rage and humiliation twisted inside her, but all she could do was sob helplessly.
Her once–pristine hair was now a tangled mess, and her face had ballooned with angry red handprints. She looked utterly
wrecked.
Joanna flexed her aching fingers before lowering her hand, her voice sharp as a blade. “The only reason I didn’t deal with
you yesterday was because someone was protecting you. Did you really think I was scared of you? Listen closely, Norene-
if you have even a shred of intelligence left, you’ll make sure my mother is well taken care of. Because if anything happens
to her, I’ll call off my engagement to Rhys immediately and personally serve you up to him.”
“I…” Norene’s lips parted as if to argue, but at the sight of Joanna’s raised hand, she swallowed her words and gave a
frantic nod, too afraid to push her luck.
She had always thought Joanna was weak, easy to bully–but now she understood. Even the quietest person had their
breaking point.
Joanna, satisfied, was ready to walk away, but something about Norene’s expression made her pause. Her swollen eyes had
gone round with shock, fixed on something behind her.
16:27
Chapter 8 One Word One Slap
A bad feeling crept up Joanna’s spine as she slowly turned around.
Standing at a short distance, two men observed the scene.
Coen’s face was dark and unreadable, while beside him, Owen stood with his arms crossed, amusement glinting in his eyes.
