Ch. 1801..1810
Chapter 1801
Somehow, Joan felt like Larry had not been as enthusiastic as he used to that morning. It was as if the
man was only reciting a well-rehearsed line like he was doing it out of obligation.
Her face fell.
Knock, knock. Joan was perplexed to hear someone knocking on her door.
Especially since she was at someplace not many people knew who she was. All of a sudden, she
recalled something and rushed to her door.
It’s really him! ”Dustin, what’s the matter with you? It’s still so early.” Joan deliberately said as she
stretched herself out.
“What early? Will you look at the time already? Let’s go, hurry!” Dustin said.
“Where are we going? What’s the hurry?” Joan looked at the man before her with a surprised look.
“Joan, I’m being serious right now. I know a lot of had happened recently, and so you need to do
another round of body check-up to make sure there won’t be any complications in the future.” Dustin
looked at Joan solemnly.
“Alright, get packing. Don’t worry, I won’t lay a finger on you. We’re friends, right?” Dustin said.
Why am I so prejudiced toward Dustin? He’s my best friend, for goodness’ sake!
Dustin actually cared more for Joan’s health more than anything right then. All that other stuff about
Larry or love or any possibilities of relationships could not compare to the health of Joan. There was
only hope for all those stuff if she was healthy.
“Okay, would you wait for a moment? I’ll be ready in a second,” Joan said and dashed for the
washroom.
Dustin was right. She had been preoccupied with a lot of things recently, and there was always one
thing or another to worry about. Suddenly, she was overcome by fear that a tumor or something might
have cropped up in her brain again. She had lost Larry once, and she could not bear with the thought
of parting with him again.
They reached the hospital in no time.
“Joan, would you wait for me for a while here? I’ll go handle the registration.” Dustin added.
“Sure.” Joan nodded her head in reply. She was suddenly thankful for Dustin, as she would not have
thought about this check-up if it wasn’t for him.
There were a lot of people in the hospital. Even though he was a doctor, Dustin was not spared from
the rules. He had to line up for the registration procedure as well.
She waited in the lobby, waiting for Dustin to come get her.
“Uh…” An old man appeared in front of Joan all of a sudden.
The man clutched his abdomen and appeared to be in agony.
Joan glanced at her surroundings and noticed that there was no one who could be the old man’s
relative. The hospital was bustling with patients and busy nurses, and nobody had noticed that the old
man was in pain.
“Mister, what’s wrong?” Joan stepped forward to steady the old man.
“My stomach… it’s so painful…” The old man leaned against Joan’s shoulders.
“Mister, hold it in, we’re going to get you a doctor,” Joan said with a gentle voice as she patted his back.
“Miss, would you please help me to my ward? There are doctors there…” The old man seemed to have
drained all his energy to utter that sentence.
Joan steadied the old man into the ward without hesitation.
As the old man said, there were two doctors in the ward, and they arranged tubing for the old man as
soon as they noticed him writhing in pain.
“Doctor, is he going to be alright?” Joan looked worriedly at the old man on the hospital bed.
It had been too dangerous back in the lobby just now. Joan was afraid that he might even faint back
there.
“He’s going to be alright.” The doctor did not even bother to lift his head.
However, Joan suddenly found the old man’s face to be quite familiar. Have I seen him someplace
else?
Her mind went into overdrive trying to recall the face but to no avail.
“Water…” The old man finally opened his eyes.
Joan poured a glass of water and handed it over to him. “You’re still here,” the old man said.
Chapter 1802
Joan managed an awkward smile. There was no one by the old man’s side, and she could not bear to
leave him alone. Besides, the man looked like he was from Chanaea too.
“Mister, where is your family?” Joan asked.
Dustin was still waiting for her, and she could not stay for long to accompany the old man. “My family? I
didn’t ask them to come here.” The man drank a sip of water and replied in a small voice.
Is he saying that he really has no one else besides the doctors and nurses here?
“My son is back in Chanaea, and he’s busy with work. I cannot bother him with this…” the old man
explained.
Does your son think that his company is more important than you? Joan’s face turned grim at the
thought.
“His career is finally getting off the ground. I cannot distract him.
“Miss, I noticed that you looked quite troubled back in the lobby too. Did something happen to you?”
The old man asked with a weak voice.
Joan smiled awkwardly again. She had not expected that the old man was asking about her despite
him being in that state.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just something bugging me back in Chanaea,” Joan replied meekly.
The man looked at her with a puzzled look on his face, “Miss, if you trust me, please tell me what’s
bothering you. I’ll help you out,” the old man said with a determined tone.
Forget it. I’d better not burden others with such matters. Besides, he wouldn’t be able to help me
anyway.
“Mister, it’s complicated. I’ll think of something, don’t worry about it.” Joan rubbed his back gently and
reassured the man.
The old man narrowed his small eyes and smiled. There is really nothing I can’t solve in this world.
“Miss, I don’t like being indebted toward others. Please do tell me what’s bothering you back in
Chanaea. Don’t worry, I will make sure that it gets resolved,” the old man sounded really confident.
Joan cast a glance around the ward and looked at the man on the bed. He doesn’t seem like he’s an
ordinary old man.
Joan hesitated for a moment and told him the thing about the Alpire Group trying to take over the
subsidiary of the Norton Corporation. She was not actually pinning any hopes on the old man. To be
frank, she was just trying to vent her frustration since the old man was keen to listen.
“Oh, that.” The glint in his eyes dimmed.
“Joan! Joan!” Dustin kept calling out her name in the hallway.
He was just away for the registration procedure, but Joan was gone in the blink of an eye.
“Mister, this is a hospital. Please keep it down.” A doctor grabbed him by his arms and warned him.
Joan bade goodbye to the old man after noticing Dustin calling out her name and turned around to
leave the ward.
“Dustin, I’m here!” Joan waved in Dustin’s direction.
“Where did you go just now? You really gave me a good fright, woman. I thought I lost you.” Dustin
complained in a low voice.
“Where else can I be? I just helped an old man get back to his ward. Can we proceed with the check-
up now?” Joan patted Dustin’s shoulders lightly.
They reached the room for Joan’s check-up. Dustin gave her a few pieces of advice before he waited
for her to complete the check-up.
It would be a lie if Dustin had said that there was no ulterior motive to his trip this time, although he was
genuinely worried about Joan’s health. However, this trip had proven to be the chance for Dustin and
Joan to hang out alone. As for Larry, the man must have been swamped back in the Chanaea.
Sometimes, Dustin wondered if he should thank Gabriella.
Joan had only come out of the room after some time. “How is she?” Dustin asked the doctor
immediately.
He had not personally examined Joan because he was afraid of finding out that there was indeed a
new tumor in her brain.
“Um…” The doctor stuttered.
“Why don’t you come and take a look yourself?” The doctor asked Dustin. Joan felt a wave of
apprehension wash over her as she noticed the doctor’s odd demeanor.
Chapter 1803
Has something gone wrong with my brain… again? Joan sat at a chair aside and rubbed her hands
together nervously.
“Joan has fully recovered, but Dustin, you have to know that a patient’s emotions will affect the rate of
her recovery. Don’t burden her with too many things in the future as she needs to be in better control of
her emotions. I’m not sure what happened to her but it was obvious that she had not managed her
emotions well,” the doctor said with a stern look on his face.
“However, I’d like to add that she’s doing rather well. She just needs to be in control of her emotions.
Do spare some time and take her out for some fresh air. It will help her condition,” the doctor added, as
an attempt to ease Dustin’s worries.
After stepping out of the doctor’s office, Dustin looked at Joan apprehensively.
I have to protect her from getting upset. She cannot bear to be troubled by any more harrowing news.
“Dustin, what’s the matter? Is there something wrong with my brain again?” Joan was feeling anxious
as she waited for Dustin to break the news to her.
“Look at you being all anxious. The doctor said you’re fine. But Joan, you have to promise me not to
overthink those complicated matters okay? You need to take a good rest and just relax.” Dustin looked
at the woman seriously.
So, I’m alright. Joan heaved a sigh of relief.
She thought that a new tumor had been growing in her brain again when Dustin was summoned into
the doctor’s office right away.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m out of the country to relax, Dustin,” Joan said as she tapped on her chest
confidently.
Dustin knew the woman was just putting up a strong front. Of course, he was well aware that Joan was
still worried about the Alpire Group acquiring the Norton Corporation’s subsidiary company. However,
Gabriella was the mastermind behind it, and there was nothing he could do.
There was no changing Gabriella’s mind unless Jory’s father decided to intercept in the matter.
“Okay, Joan. I’ll be honest with you. The doctor told me that there’s nothing wrong with your body. It’s
just that you have to manage your emotions well because it affects the health of your brain. So, you
need to relax,” Dustin said with a stern face.
I see. My emotions have been all over the place, especially when I was back in Chanaea. She would
lose her sleep along with Larry and would get upset together with Larry. It was especially apparent
when the man felt anxious and helpless at the acquisition of the subsidiary of Norton Corporation by
the Alpire Group.
“Okay, well noted on that, Dustin. Thank you for taking me here today.” Joan managed a thin smile.
She needed to take good care of her body because she was not alone.
I have Larry now. I cannot leave him, and I can’t.
“Joan, let’s go hiking tomorrow. It’s been a while,” Dustin suggested out of the blue.
Why is he thinking about hiking right now?
However, she thought it was a good way to distract herself.
“Okay, let’s go hiking tomorrow,” Joan replied in a heartbeat.
She did not wish to give the thing about Larry and Gabriella much thought. Joan knew that she had to
learn to let some things go, and to erase certain images from her head for the sake of her body and her
brain.
Ring…
“Larry? Why would you call at this hour?” Joan was stumped.
They would always call in the morning and at night, but it was the noon. The timing was odd.
“Joan, the company is back!” The excitement on the other end of the phone was infectious.
The company is back? What does he mean?
Joan was bemused.
“Larry, what did you just say? I don’t understand,” Joan asked in a low voice.
“Joan, you know the thing about the Alpire Group acquiring the subsidiary of Norton Corporation?
They’ve just decided to revoke the decision! For real! Oh, I don’t know how to thank you!” Larry
beamed.
Chapter 1804
Joan was confounded. What does the matter at the company have anything to do with me?
“Larry, this is really great news, but why are you thanking me?” Joan asked out of confusion.
She had contributed nothing to the matter as she had been overseas all this time.
Larry paused for a moment and cleared his throat.
“Yes, I am thanking you. Didn’t you save Jory’s father? He called and asked Jory to give the company
back to us,” Larry explained.
What? When did I save Jory’s father? Joan felt like she was in a very strange dream.
“Larry, what are you saying? When did I save Jory’s father?”
“Joan, just stay there for the time being. I’ll catch a flight there after I’ve dealt with matters here.” Larry
hung up the phone afterward.
The line went dead, and Joan realized that he had hung up on her.
I saved Jory’s father? When? How?
She had only been there for a few days, and had not met anyone in particular, only Dustin… and the
old man.
Could he be the old man?
Is he Jory’s father? Really?
What a coincidence.
Then, the old man’s words rang in her ears, about how he could help her solve her problems.
She made her way back to the old man’s ward. The old man was laying on the bed, reading a
newspaper with his spectacles on. She noticed that the old man was engrossed in his paper, and Joan
almost could not bear to disturb his tranquil moment.
“Get in here. What are you standing out there for?” The man did not even lift his head and said.
How does he know that I’m standing right outside?
“Um, Mister. I’d like to ask you something.” Joan said awkwardly as she scratched the back of her
head.
“Fire away. Is it about the company?” The old man readjusted his glasses.
“Um, yes. Did you really ask Jory to do that? Are you really Mr. Synder’s father?” Joan gauged the man
before her, flabbergasted at the coincidence.
The old man looked at Joan and smiled.
Yes, that’s true.
“Yes, you’re right. I am Jory’s father,” the old man replied.
“Thank you, thank you so much for helping us.” Joan hurriedly bowed to the generous old man.
Somehow, Joan found it surprising that the man was indeed Jory’s father.
“So, how do you plan on thanking me?” The old man folded his papers.
It was a tough question.
She did not have money, power, nor the ability to repay him. How should I thank him then? Helpless,
Joan lowered her head.
“Miss, why don’t you just cook for me?” The old man suggested.
“I haven’t been able to enjoy a proper homecooked meal ever since coming here. So, could you just
cook for me, until the day you leave here? We’ll call it even then.” The old man smiled.
“Really? Is it that simple?” Joan looked at him in disbelief.
“Yes, it is. I know that you’re going to be even more uncomfortable if I don’t ask you to do something.
So, just cook for me, will you?” The old man then continued to browse through his paper.
“Okay, Mister. Since you’ve already requested it, I will cook for you starting tomorrow,” Joan said
reassuringly.
The old man chuckled to see her all worked up.
The sun had already come up for some time while the woman in bed still had her eyes closed while she
enjoyed the warmth.
It had been a long time since Joan last had a good night’s sleep.
Ring…
“Hello,” Joan greeted as she yawned.
“Joan, what are you doing? Are you still in bed? We’re heading out right now. Hurry up,” Dustin egged
her on.
Joan sprung out of her bed right away.
Chapter 1805
“What are you talking about, Dustin?” the woman asked while rubbing her eyes.
“Come on, Joan, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about it. Didn’t we say we’re going hiking today? I’ve
waited a long time for this.”
Joan suddenly remembered their plan and shot out of bed, rushing for the bathroom.
“I’ll be there in a bit!” she cried out before hanging up the phone.
She had taken some sleeping pills to get a good night’s sleep, so she accidentally overslept this
morning.
Dang! This is so embarrassing. Everyone must be waiting for me…
“Hey, Joan, where are you now?” Dustin asked wearily when he called again, “Are you even coming?”
“I’m here! I’m here!” Joan rushed out over the phone as she ran toward him.
Dustin was looking into the sky when she saw him.
She looked around but saw no one else.
Hm? I thought he said there were other people. Where are all of them? Did they go somewhere?
“They headed off already. Come, let’s take a picture to commemorate this special moment,” Dustin
said, finding a good angle for a selfie.
Joan cast him a confused look.
“Joan’s late today,” Dustin said as his fingers flew across his phone’s keyboard before posting the
picture on his social media.
Gabriella saw the photo right after Dustin posted it.
Joan Watts, you’re seriously unbelievable. You’re stringing Larry along over here while playing around
with Dustin when you’re abroad. What a b*tch.
Gabriella quickly took a screenshot of the picture and saved it. All she had to do was let Larry have a
look at what Joan was up to when the woman went overseas.
“Hey, Larry, you free to talk right now? I have something to tell you,” Gabriella asked with a cute voice.
“What is it? I don’t have time for your bullshit,” Larry replied blatantly.
Do you really find me that annoying?
Gabriella clenched her jaw while listening to his antipathic voice. “You might be interested in a picture I
have…”
“I’m not interested,” the man stated curtly, cutting her short.
“I’ve already sent it to you. I’m sure you’ll be interested,” she insisted.
Ding! A notification sounded, indicating that the picture of Joan and Dustin had just been sent to Larry’s
phone.
Why are they together?
Larry’s glare turned cold the moment he saw the two people in the photo.
“Seriously, why are you so slow?” Dustin shouted at Joan.
The latter was panting desperately as she turned to look at Dustin, who was standing not too far away
from her.
“I’m just not as fit as you, okay?”
He only cares about himself. Can’t he see I’m dying here already?
Despite knowing that her stamina was not as good as his, Dustin deliberately climbed faster to tire her
out. He wanted her to forget about everything else and focus on this moment. In his eyes, that was the
only way she could vent all her pent-up emotions. He could read Joan like an open book. Although the
woman was not verbal about her emotions, he knew exactly how she felt.
“The sun’s gonna set if you don’t hurry up!” he cried out ahead of her.
Joan trailed his gaze and looked at the darkening sky.
It really is getting late. I can’t give up now. I’ve already come so far. With that thought in mind, Joan
mustered all her strength and headed up toward Dustin.
By the time the two of them reached the top of the hill, the sky had already turned dark. Joan sat on the
ground, rubbing her sore knees.
“Ha!” Dustin suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, looking from the hilltop.
Joan whipped her head towards him, horrified.
Why’s he shouting? Is he depressed or something? He seriously has nothing to worry about. He does
everything he likes.
“Come over here, Joan. Shout your heart out,” Dustin said, pulling her up.
“Why should I? I’m feeling okay. I have nothing to shout about,” Joan said, pushing him away.
Chapter 1806
Joan did not want to behave like a lunatic. Besides, she was sapped of all her energy after hiking all
the way up to the top.
“Come on, don’t be such a bore. It’s not like you come hiking every day. You need to vent all the
frustration you keep in your heart,” Dustin urged, patting her on the shoulder.
Despite his attempts at persuading her, all Joan could think about at that moment was her bed. “I’m so
tired. I just want to rest. There’s nothing I need to vent about. I’m serious.”
Dustin looked at his passive companion and took out his phone with a sigh. “One, two, three, smile!”
“Hey, why didn’t you tell me you’re taking a picture? I didn’t have time to pose!” Joan complained,
combing her hair with her fingers.
She looked disheveled after all the climbing. Her legs, her arms, and her face were all smudged with
dirt.
“Don’t be so fussy. I should stop going easy on you from now on. I’m gonna start training you,” Dustin
chided, looking at her from the corner of his eyes.
After lingering at the hilltop for a while, the two went down as the moon drew nigh. Although the
surrounding was almost pitch dark, Joan was not fearful. The night inexplicably calmed her down. It
was probably because she had not gone hiking for some time.
She was spent, but satisfied.
Suddenly, she let out a sharp cry. “Ah!” Dustin dashed back toward her when he heard her shriek.
“What’s the matter?” he asked with concern and worry written all over his facial features.
“Nothing. I just need to rest a little. I might have sprained my ankle.” Joan’s face contorted in pain as
she spoke.
The man looked at her ankle and confirmed that she was really hurt. Without further ado, Dustin
squatted down and put her on his back before going down the hill.
“What are you doing? Put me down. You’re going to tire yourself out like this,” Joan insisted, squirming
in an attempt to get down from his back.
“Stop moving. We’re not reaching the exit anytime soon if you’re walking on your own. I still need to get
some sleep,” he scowled, rejecting her request outright.
Joan looked at the ill-lit sky and relented.
There were a few other hikers who were headed down the mountain with them.
“Wow, look at that man. He’s so handsome!” a woman commented enviously.
“What a beautiful couple. The boyfriend is so sweet to his girlfriend,” the woman’s companion added.
All Joan could think about was Dustin. She felt so bad for putting him in such a situation. The sweat on
his forehead rolled down his collarbone furiously, soaking his shirt. Joan wiped his sweat away
whatever way she could despite feeling a little awkward.
“I should take a picture of them. I bet they’ll go viral on Twitter,” the woman from before said as she
took out her phone.
“Hey, you’ll need to get their permission first,” her friend reminded her.
“It’s okay. It’s not like we can see their faces from where we’re standing anyways. Their backs are
facing us.”
The woman snapped a photo of Dustin and Joan as she spoke.
Dustin’s body had grown so numb he lost track of time. He almost did not realize they had already
reached the foot of the mountain. Joan dipped her head and looked at him worriedly, afraid that he
would collapse.
“It’s too late to get back safely now. We should just put up the night at a hotel,” Dustin suggested while
panting heavily.
Joan could not bring herself to make any further requests, so she went with his plan and followed him
into a nearby hotel.
“What? There’s only one room left?” Joan exclaimed with her eyes wide in disbelief.
“You heard that right. Many people come here to hike these days, so our hotel only has one available
room now. It’s no big deal for a man and a woman to stay together in one room. We’re living in the 21st
century after all,” the receptionist said.
At that statement, Joan’s eyes widened a fraction. What? Dustin and I aren’t even a couple!
But this was the only hotel around the area – they had no other option.
Dustin took a careful look at Joan before suggesting cautiously, “Why don’t we just stay here tonight?”
“Of course not. How am I supposed to explain the situation to Larry after I get back?” Joan questioned.
Chapter 1807
Speaking of Larry again!
Gloom spread across Dustin’s eyes when he heard that man’s name.
“There’s nothing else we can do right now. It’s not like we can just camp outside however we like, and I
don’t think any more cabs are operating at this hour.”
Joan looked around at the empty road, feeling vexed at how his statement rang true.
Before she could make up her mind, a woman barged into the hotel. “Are there any rooms available?”
she asked.
Dustin shot Joan an anxious look.
“Excuse me! I thought we already reserved the room?” The former darted over to the receptionist,
wearing his brightest smile.
The receptionist looked at the dashing young man before her and smiled.
“I’d love to give the room to you, but your girlfriend hasn’t agreed to it,” she stated, shooting a pointed
look at Joan.
“It’s fine. We’ll take the last room,” Dustin replied swiftly.
The woman who had just come in glared at him from the corner of her eyes and left in a huff after
hearing his reply. Joan still had not figured out what her next course of action would be.
“Are you coming, Joan? I’ve already booked the room. Stop thinking about Larry already. You can
explain everything to him after this. Yes, I like you, but it’s not like I’ll do something to you without your
consent,” Dustin muttered.
It was true that he had his designs on her, but he would never force himself on her.
Joan silently made a vow. I promise I’ll explain everything to you when I see you, Larry.
A flicker of worry gleamed in her eyes at the thought of what would happen.
“Come on, let’s head up,” Dustin said, squatting down again in front of her.
Meanwhile, Jory was having a difficult conversation with Gabriella. “Mr. Synder, don’t you think you owe
me an explanation?” the latter demanded.
A smirk played on Jory’s lips at the woman’s impudent request.
“I didn’t do it,” he said.
My dad did.
A fit of anger rose in Gabriella’s heart. In order to force Larry to his knees before her, she wanted to
work with Jory to bring down Norton Corporation. However, the man’s dad had come in out of nowhere
and spoiled her plan.
She stared at the young man coldly. “I know your dad did it, but you promised me that I’ll get Larry and
you’ll get Nancy when we made a pact. You can’t back out of the deal now.”
She had not expected a great businessman like Jory to go back on his word. It was a misstep on her
side. She really should not have trusted this cunning man.
“Yes, Alpire Group acquiring Norton Corporation was never part of our plan, but the divestiture of
Norton Corporation’s subsidiary was all the old man’s idea,” Jory explained.
There was no changing the old man’s mind once he decided on something, more so because he hated
feeling indebted toward other people. Joan had saved him at the hospital, so he would do everything
he could to return the favor.
“Stop giving me excuses, Jory Synder. You should hold your end of the bargain!” Gabriella seethed.
Perhaps Jory sensed her anger or realized he was at fault when he finally cocked his head and looked
at Gabriella.
“I’ll make compensation. Name your price,” he stated forthrightly.
I know you need money. And I know you like spending money too.
I bet it doesn’t feel nice being chased out. You won’t be able to say no to my offer.
“How could you do this to me? After everything I’ve been through to make sure things work out
between you and Nancy? What did you give me in return?” Gabriella spat out, growing more and more
agitated.
The moment the woman brought this topic up, Jory decided to strike the iron while it was hot.
“Now, now, I did promise you to take care of Larry if you helped me with Caspian, but I didn’t say you
could use underhanded ways to make such a thing happen. Do you think I would need to stoop so low
to get Caspian out of the game?” Jory admonished, glaring at her unreservedly.
Chapter 1808
Despite being a shrewd businessman, Jory despised people who used unscrupulous means to get
what they wanted. Besides, Caspian was innocent. What happened between Nancy and himself was
their own fault.
Gabriella stared at the man before her in disbelief.
Why does he even care about how I do it as long as I give him what he wants? It’s the end that
matters, not the means!
“Take this and leave,” Jory demanded, taking out a check. “This should be more than enough for you.
Let me know if you need more. I’ll give it to you.”
The woman let out a scoff of nonchalance.
Do you think one million will solve everything? What I truly want is Larry and only Larry!
Gabriella’s cold stare landed on the check Jory had just placed on the table.
Where there’s life, there’s hope. I’ll make sure all of you pay for what you’ve done to me. Just wait until
I get all the money I need!
Bearing that sinister thought in mind, she swallowed her pride as a bitter smile played on her lips.
“Do you think you can settle our score with just one million, Mr. Synder?”
Who do you think I am? One million alone will not appease me.
Jory looked at her in disdain.
“How much do you want?” he asked without giving her a second glance.
Gabriella didn’t hesitate. “Two million. Give me two million now, and I’ll leave.”
Jory lifted his gaze in slight surprise. Whatever. As long as I don’t have to see you ever again.
Gabriella’s eyes went red as she watched the man scribble away on the check.
She could not believe she had just stooped so low to bargain for two million. She grabbed up the fresh
check and left right after, contacting Larry almost immediately.
Ring!
Larry took a quick look at his phone but did not bother answering it, seeing as the call was from
Gabriella.
He did not want anything to do with the woman.
He carried on busying himself until a sudden thought washed over him. He had almost forgotten about
the message Gabriella had sent him earlier on. He hurriedly swiped his phone open, and a photo
popped up.
The woman in the picture was smiling blissfully at a man, who looked equally happy. The couple
seemed to be having a good time at the beach.
The woman was none other than Joan, and the man with her was Dustin.
Larry’s fists clenched tightly as he looked at the two in the photo.
He could not understand why Joan still wanted to have anything to do with Dustin. Why didn’t she tell
me she met Dustin abroad?
Is this why she sounds so tired and distracted when we find time to talk on the phone these few days?
Is the reason behind her fatigue spending the whole day fooling with Dustin?
Larry’s gaze turned cold and hard at the thought.
He wished the photo was fake. He wished it was an edited photo. But from the looks of it, no one had
made any changes to the photo.
He scrolled through his contact list and dialed Joan’s number, but he was sent straight to voicemail no
matter how many times he called.
Out of the blue, he received a call.
“Yes?”
Gabriella was surprised her call got through. “Where are you, Larry? Can we meet up over a meal? I
have something to tell you.”
What’s it this time around? I’m sure it’s nothing good. Nothing good comes from this woman.
“What is it? Just tell me over the phone. I’m busy.” He turned her down crudely.
“What are you busy with? Isn’t everything regarding the company already settled? Besides, I really
don’t want Alpire Group to acquire Norton Corporation. Come on! It’s already past working hours. Let’s
have a meal together. I have something to talk to you about.”
Her adamant response sparked Larry’s curiosity.
He had asked Gabriella what the news was about a few times, but the woman refused to breathe a
word to him over the phone.
She really is capable of doing anything. I guess I’ll hear her out and see what she’s done this time.
“Fine. Send me your location.” Larry finally caved.
A sinister hint of malice shone in Gabriella’s eyes as she gave him the details of her location.
Chapter 1809
Gabriella slammed her palms flat on the table as she glared through the empty space right at the wall.
She was waiting for Larry to come so she could unveil Joan’s true colors.
Joan Watts, I’ll show Larry that you have no true loyalty.
When Larry arrived and saw the photos Gabriella presented him, he feigned indifference and asked,
“What exactly do you want?”
Spite played in Gabriella’s eyes as she looked at him.
“Take a good look at everything here, Larry. Joan is having a good time with Dustin overseas. It seems
like they’re enjoying their little reunion.”
Larry was no fool; there was no way he did not see through the wicked woman’s tricks. He could not
say he was totally unfazed looking at the photos, but he trusted Joan wholeheartedly. He knew Dustin
and her were just friends.
“Is there anything else you want to tell me? If not, I’ll be making a move first,” Larry said, taking a sip of
his coffee.
He knew Gabriella was up to no good. All she wanted was to split him and Joan up.
But he did not need an outsider to tell him what was really going on. The best way to get to the bottom
of it would be to call Joan himself.
“Larry, don’t tell me you still have no idea what’s going on. Joan is clearly two-timing you. She’s
deceiving you!” Gabriella was getting testy.
Larry smirked internally at her outburst. Ha! Don’t act like you’re a good person yourself. You don’t
really care about me.
“Just let me get this across, Gabriella. Don’t ever call me again over something so petty. I have better
things to do than to listen to your petty gossip,” Larry warned her.
Gabriella huffed. You’re busy to a point where you don’t even have time to eat? I know you just don’t
want to see me.
“Also, don’t even try sowing discord between Joan and me. Just mind your own business.” With that
said, Larry turned and left immediately.
Fury burned within Gabriella as she watched him leave.
I’ll make sure I crush you, Joan Watts! Just wait and see! Her tight fists quivered in anger as feelings of
hatred consumed her.
After calming herself down, Gabriella made a call. “Hey, I heard you’re overseas right now. I have a job
for you. Are you down for it?”
It was time she took action. She simply needed to wait for Joan to see those photos.
Ding!
Joan checked her phone when she heard a notification. Someone had just sent her a few photos.
Her mind went blank when she saw Gabriella and Larry in the photos.
The woman was clinging to Larry after she got drunk at a bar.
What am I seeing? Is this real?
“Joan!” Dustin had been calling out to her, but all the woman could think of was the photos someone
had just sent her.
The beach was packed with people. Children were playing around, and Joan was resting on a recliner
chair, completely lost in her own thoughts. She felt completely detached from the buzz going on around
her.
“Hey, Joan! What are you thinking about?” Dustin patted her on the shoulder lightly.
“Hm? Oh, it’s nothing, Nothing much. I’m just a little tired,” she quickly replied.
The man observed the lethargy on her face and decided to leave her to herself so she could rest.
Joan was distracted and down the whole day. She did not even realize when Dustin had gone to buy
something. People were leaving the beach as the sky dimmed.
“Hey, are you alone?” A well-built foreigner suddenly approached Joan.
What does he want? She turned her head aside and ignored his question.
The man was piqued when he saw her disregarding him.
“Do you want some company?” He sat down next to her, fixing his gaze on her face.
Joan looked around and realized there were not many people around the beach anymore, so she stood
up hurriedly and got ready to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going?” The stranger caught her by her arm.
Chapter 1810
“I’m sorry, but I really need to leave now.” Despite her polite refusal, the foreigner pulled her into his
arms, leaving her no opportunity to leave.
“What are you doing? Let me go! Get your hands off me!”
Joan struggled to break free from the man’s strong hold, but to no avail. His forceful arms locked rigidly
around her as he looked at her lasciviously.
One million for a good time with this woman? That’s a bargain. The man stroked her cheeks slowly,
causing Joan to turn her head away in disgust.
Seriously, why do I keep running into weird people lately? Firstly, it was the old man who staged an
accident. If it was not for Dustin, I would have ended up at a police station! And now, it appears that I
have met a pervert.
“Let me go! I’m here with my friend! He’ll come back and get me in no time!” Joan yelled as she tried to
push the man away.
However, despite how much she struggled, the man paid no attention to her words. He continued to
fondle her collarbone.
Joan knew she stood no chance against the man, so she took a deep breath and started shouting.
“Help! Help!”
Unfortunately, no one around the beach seemed to understand her.
“Stop shouting. Why don’t we play a game somewhere else? What do you think?” the man said
suggestively, tossing a wink in her direction.
Dustin! Where on earth are you? Joan looked around in terror but saw no sign of Dustin.
I can’t just die in this man’s hands.
“Please, let me go!” Joan began begging for him to stop. Incipient tears welled up in her eyes as every
possible outcome flashed in her mind.
She was scared.
“Come on, what’s so bad about having some fun with me? You’re one hot chick, and I’m a snack
myself. Surely the two of us are meant to be.” The man lowered his head and breathed his words into
her ears.
“Ah!” The man suddenly cried out in pain. Joan had bitten him on the arm, causing his grip on her to
loosen. She grabbed that window of opportunity to dash as far as she could.
“You b*tch! How dare you bite me! Stop!” The man wasted no time chasing after her at full speed.
Joan called out for Dustin as she ran, but her friend was nowhere to be seen.
“Got you!” The man exclaimed in glee before he slapped Joan in the face, sending her unconscious.
He then dragged her into a warehouse and tied her to a pole before applying some medication on his
arm.
Meanwhile, Dustin had made his way back to the beach and was looking for Joan desperately. “Joan!
Where are you?”
The night was drawing close, and the waves were rolling fiercely as the tide grew high. The night wind
bellowed at the beach while Dustin wandered around alone, still looking for Joan.
“Excuse me, did you see a Chanaean woman here just now? She’s fair and has black hair.”
“Sorry for bothering you, but I was wondering if you’ve seen my friend?”
Dustin walked to all the surrounding shops to ask if anyone had seen Joan, but his search was
fruitless.
“Joan!” he shouted in agony.
When Joan finally regained her senses, she realized she was in a rugged warehouse. The foreign man
who had abducted her was seated next to her, eyeing her like a hawk.
“You’re finally awake. Look at what you did to me!” He walked over and squatted down before slapping
her in the face twice.
“Who are you?” Joan asked coldly.
No incident of her offending anyone came to her mind, but judging from the man’s outfit, he did not
seem like a thug.
“You don’t need to know who I am. The only thing you need to know is that you’re gonna become mine
soon,” the man teased as he played with a strand of her hair. He had a sly smile on his face.
“I’ll give you money if you let me go. I can give you whatever you want. Just let me out of here.” Joan’s
voice was shaky as she tried dissuading him.
“Do you have a million you’ll like to offer me? I’ll consider it if you can give me that much,” the man said
with a wry smile on his face.
Her eyes widened in alarm at his reply.