Chapter 61 I Don't Want You Anymore
"Sebastian had always known it was his mom, Bianca, who almost killed her dad. He just never told her.
He stood by her in front of her father, not out of pity, but to ease his mom's guilt.
If her dad died, Bianca would face legal trouble too.
""A chill ran through Joyce's body.
Any goodwill she had for Sebastian vanished with those words.
She forced a bitter smile and went back to the office with the documents.
As soon as she walked in, she heard Elizabeth's sarcastic voice, ""Got Mr. Winters' protection now? Still worried about the money I owe you?""
Joyce snapped out of her thoughts.
She sneered, ""No need to pay me back; we'll settle this in court.""
""Fine, Joyce, you win! Give me your account number, and I'll transfer the money.""
Elizabeth sent the money and spat, ""The court date's on the third. Once you're convicted, you're out of the company. We don't keep lawbreakers here.""
Joyce ignored her, just glanced at the transfer notification on her phone.
A malicious grin spread across her face.
She stepped out to the balcony and called Julian.
""Julian, can you check Elizabeth and her boyfriend's recent income? I think someone paid them off.""
Julian replied, ""I was about to tell you, Elizabeth's boyfriend, Dennis Wright, got a $280,000 tip during his game stream yesterday. The account was new and had never appeared before. I think someone's paying him off this way.""
""That makes sense. With a $280,000 tip, he gets $130,000, which Elizabeth transferred to me today. We'll know something if we find out who this person is.""
Julian paused, then said, ""Dennis mentioned during his stream that he has something valuable. I bet he didn't delete the video but kept it. We can contact him. I heard he recently lost money gambling and needs cash badly.""
""I Know Dennis; he'd do anything for money. I'll register a new account and ask him.""
Joyce quickly created a new account.
She soon got in touch with Dennis.
As expected, after a few messages, Dennis agreed to sell the video for money.
They arranged a time and place for the deal.
At 9 PM, Joyce and Julian drove to an abandoned factory in the suburbs.
Dennis said they'd trade there, cash on delivery.
But when they arrived with the money, they found Dennis lying on the ground, bleeding.
Joyce was instantly terrified.
Julian covered her eyes and whispered, ""Don't be scared. Close your eyes. I'll check.""
""Julian,"" Joyce grabbed him, ""The evidence might be gone.""
""Maybe not, I'll check.""
When Julian returned, he was holding a badge.
He looked at Joyce with a grim expression, ""You were right, someone got here before us and took the video. I only found this.""
He handed the badge to Joyce.
When she saw the mark on it, Joyce felt a sharp pain in her chest.
It was the badge of Sebastian's private bodyguard.
In other words, Sebastian had sent someone to take her only evidence.
Joyce clenched the badge tightly, the pin digging into her flesh.
But she didn't feel any pain.
It wasn't until Julian saw blood dripping from her palm.
""Joyce, let go!""
Joyce was trembling all over. The more Julian tried to pry her hand open, the tighter she held on.
Julian had to coax her softly, ""Joyce, let go. Even without that video, I'll help you win the case.""
When Joyce finally let go, the entire pin was embedded in her flesh.
Julian's heart ached at the sight.
He took out a tissue from his pocket and said softly, ""Bear with it, I'll pull it out for you.""
Whether when Julian was pulling out the pin or applying medicine, Joyce didn't make a sound.
It was as if she couldn't feel any pain at all.
After Julian finished bandaging her, he heard Joyce say, ""Julian, I want a drink.""
Meanwhile...
Sebastian was invited by a few friends to go drinking after work.
Just past ten, some people's phones started ringing non-stop.
Some were urged by their girlfriends to come home early, others were asked by their wives to drink less.
Only Sebastian and Alexander's phones were silent.
Alexander laughed and patted him on the shoulder, ""I'm single, but you have a girlfriend. It's so late, hasn't she called to check on you? Maybe Joyce doesn't care about you at all and is having a good time on her own while you're not around.""
Sebastian felt a pang of resentment.
They had been so in sync last night.
He had acknowledged their relationship in front of the company's top executives today, wasn't that enough for her?
Feeling frustrated, he downed his drink in one gulp.
Watching others get called home one by one by their wives, he felt a lump in his throat.
He took out his phone and called Joyce.
But the phone rang for a long time without an answer.
Seeing his unhappy face, Alexander laughed mischievously.
""Looks like I was right, she really isn't waiting for you. Maybe she's out with a toy boy.""
Sebastian kicked him, ""She's not that kind of person.""
After that, he walked out with his phone.
But as soon as he stepped out, he saw a familiar figure in the next room.
And beside that figure was a young, handsome man.
Sebastian's pupils contracted.
He clenched his fists tightly.
The veins on his forehead were throbbing.
Alexander saw this too and couldn't help but laugh.
""Didn't expect the tables to turn so quickly! That must be Joyce's classmate. Look how well they sit together. I heard Julian was very good to Joyce in school. Then for some reason, he went abroad, and Joyce got together with you. Do you think they're rekindling their old flame? After all, campus love is pure. And there's no real love between you and Joyce, it's just a physical game.""
Every word Alexander said stabbed at Sebastian's heart.
The pain made him frown deeply.
He had never been so restrained.
Even on the verge of losing control, he forced himself to stay calm.
He was worried about hurting Joyce.
Sebastian quickly composed himself, his expression tranquil.
He walked over to Joyce and gently ruffled her hair, his voice low and hoarse.
""Have you had enough? If so, come home with me.""
Joyce looked at him with drunken, misty eyes, her pink lips curving slightly.
Her voice was slurred but particularly alluring.
""Bastard, I don't want you anymore."""
