Chapter 413



Joanna remained under guard until the following morning.

Finally released, Joanna rubbed her sore wrists and stalked out of the restaurant, muttering curses.

“What the hell? Kallie, I thought you were some big shot. But clearly, you didn’t have the guts to hurt me. You’d better pray you don’t cross my path again. You’ve let me go this time, but I’ll never let you go.”

Joanna rushed home, frantic. She’d heard Charlee was there. Tears streaming down her face, she burst through the door, calling out for Charlee.

Joanna cried out, “Mom! Ethan’s been seduced by some hussy! He wants a divorce! She came to taunt me and then locked me up all night. I thought I’d never see you again!”

Joanna was the Martel family’s precious only daughter. Despite her strict upbringing, she was still the apple of everyone’s eye. She’d never been treated so poorly in her life.

Charlee adored Joanna. Joanna assumed Charlee wouldn’t let Kallie off the hook. In Joanna’s mind, Kallie would be kicked out, humiliated, and defeated.

At the sight of Charlee, Joanna sobbed and ran toward her.

But Charlee turned, her face cold and hard. There was no sympathy in her eyes.

Before Joanna could react, Charlee slapped her across the face. Hard.

Charlee snapped, “Joanna, I’ve spoiled you rotten. You’ve lost all sense of right and wrong. What happened to all those lessons I taught you about dealing with people?”

Joanna covered her stinging cheek, feeling utterly wronged. “Mom! What are you doing? What did I do? Why did you hit me?”

Charlee, seething with rage, whipped out her phone. The video showed Joanna and Ethan having a heated argument in a restaurant.

It was raw, with no explanation provided. But anyone with half a brain could see what was happening. The comments section was blowing up, with thousands of opinions flying around.

“Is that Joanna from the Martel family? Is it the Martel family on my mind?”

“Yeah, you got it. She’s the daughter of the deputy mayor. Can you believe she acts like that behind closed doors? Her poor husband.”

“Is she nuts? Accusing her husband of cheating. Honestly, I feel bad for the guy.”

“Come on, he’s not perfect either. He doesn’t exactly make her feel secure.”

The comments were a mixed bag. Some people were tearing Joanna apart, others defending her. It wasn’t exactly a full-blown scandal, but it was definitely causing a stir.

Joanna, however, was not one to take criticism lightly. She had an ego and considered herself above the common folk, a breed apart. Now, being the subject of gossip and speculation among so many people? It was unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.

“That bitch!” Joanna snarled, hurling the phone to the floor, completely ignoring Charlee’s furious expression. Charlee’s disappointment was palpable. “Someone has told me the truth today. I have learned what you have done. Joanna, I want you to tell me what happened. Why did you do this?”

Joanna felt a pang of guilt but quickly regained her composure. “Mom, I’m your only daughter. What are you going to do without me?”

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