Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Joan's hand froze on her husband's office doorknob when she heard her name being mentioned in conversation. “We’ve been married for six years, Keon, and you still get angry when I post you on my page.” Joan knew that voice. It was Kimberly, Keon's accounting manager.Joan didn't push the door open. She pressed her ear against it to catch more words. “Very soon, Kimberly. I’ll soon make our marriage public, but for now, let me think of how to end the fake marriage I had with Joan.” ‘Fake’, the word cracked her ribs. Three years ago, Keon's mother, Mrs. Thompson had walked into the restaurant where Joan worked as a waitress. She'd heard the manager call Joan ‘a nobody.’“Where is your family?” Mrs. Thompson asked after pulling Joan aside. “I'm a poor orphan with no relatives,” Joan replied, head down.Mrs. Thompson studied her for a while. Then she smiled. “Will you consider marrying my son?” Mrs. Thompson told her she wanted a well behaved girl for her son. What Joan didn't k

“Yes,” Mira replied with a smile, stretching her hand toward where the Langley cars were parked. “A chauffeur will come pick your car up,” she said again. Joan nodded. Her heart raced. She knew she would one day meet her family members but never thought it would be this soon. She turned to the agent following her, “some other time, please.”“Yes, Ms. Langley,” the young man said, bowing slightly. This only raised Joan's fear. During the ride, Mira told her a little about the Langley family. Ryder Langley, her father, had two brothers. His elder brother, Justin, stayed in Moonlight city, while his younger brother, Richmond was abroad at the moment. Joan saw it whenever Mira talked about Richmond or the late Ryder. Mira's face would soften, her smile would widen.But when Joan asked about her stepmother, Natalie and Justin, Mira’s smile disappeared. Joan didn't need anyone to explain it. She became scared of them before even meeting them.Joan's eyes widened as they drove through t

“Since it's for my safety. I accept.” Richmond's brow raised in surprise. He hadn't anticipated her agreement would come so easily. “I'm proud of you, Joan,” he said with a smile. Joan nodded once. No smile. “But why did he choose me?” Richmond exhaled and rolled his eyes, “I can't explain that. Perhaps you can ask him when you meet.” “Hmm, but Uncle, don't you think Tristan wants me because of the Langley Corp?” “No, I don't think so,” Richmond said, shaking his head. “Langley Corp is nothing compared to what Tristan owns. If anything, Langley Corp will benefit more if you marry Tristan.”Joan took a breath and nodded thoughtfully. She parted her lips to ask another question, but nervously shut her mouth when seven men in black, tailored suits advanced toward them in unison. Joan flinched, fear taking over her. Richmond, however, remained composed. Drawing from his calmness, she straightened in her seat and steadied her breathing. The man who appeared to be their leader stepp

Joan woke to the shrill ring of her phone. Half-awake, she fumbled for it and picked up the call.“What the hell has come over you, Joan?” Mrs. Alice Thompson's voice flooded the line.Sleep vanished from her eyes instantly. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, trying to piece together what she could have done wrong. But nothing came to her mind. “Where were you yesterday?” Alice spat, anger dripping from her tone.“Do you know how much you’ve cost the company?” Joan frowned in confusion. “What are you talking about, mom?” “Where did you go? You missed the meeting with the client. And now he pulled out” Joan raised an eyebrow and let out a low chuckle. She didn't reply to Alice. Instead, she glanced at her screen and saw seven missed calls, all from Keon.Apparently he informed his mother when he couldn't reach her. “Joan!” Alice barked.“I was the one who got us the contract in the first place. And unfortunately we lost it back.” Joan's voice was low but cold. The line went silent.

Keon felt overwhelmed and frustrated by Joan's response. He called her, but her phone was switched off. Later, his calls went straight to voicemail. He took the early flight like she'd advised. He delivered the presentation himself, but the clients weren't satisfied. They said what he and his team presented bore no resemblance to the proposal. “I doubt any of you wrote the proposal that was sent to us,” one of the clients said. Keon was unraveling. His mother and sister were on his neck, demanding Joan apologize. And Joan? Her number still wouldn't go through. He got home and bolted to his room. Joan's wardrobe was empty. Panic shot through him. He hurried to her room and found it locked. But the pair of flip-flops lying in front of the door gave him a small measure of peace. His mind relaxed, hoping she had packed her things into her room, and hadn't left him.“You’re working yourself up over her lately. You barely even have time for me,” Kimberly walked up to him, arms crossed