Chapter 2 Ending This Ridiculous Relationship

From that night forward, their affair was shrouded in secrecy.

By day, Joanna was the poised and capable assistant, flawlessly handling even the most demanding tasks Anthony set before her.

As dusk fell, she transformed into his tender and compliant lover, their nightly encounters confined to the shadows of his bedroom.

She was intimately acquainted with his every preference, always reacting in ways that brought him immense satisfaction.

Their physical intimacy was deeply intertwined, a testament to their seamless connection.

Yet, this intimacy had its limits. To Anthony, she was merely an object of desire, destined never to step into the light of public recognition.

"Stay focused."

When they got intimate, his actions were deliberate and forceful, yet he managed to maintain control, always taking pleasure in her reactions.

It wasn't until a rush of warmth flooded through her that she snapped out of the trance.

He pulled away abruptly.

Joanna's body slumped against the icy marble floor, her stunning features flushed and mirrored in the glossy surface, marks of their encounter littered across her skin.

By the time she gathered herself, Anthony was back behind his desk, dressed impeccably, seemingly unaffected by the recent intimacy.

He was the third child of the Dixon family, raised under the stern gaze of his grandfather, Nigel Dixon. Bearing a striking resemblance to a younger Nigel, Anthony's features were sharper, his decisions more resolute. Highly esteemed by Nigel, he had expanded the Dixon Group's reach, from traditional sectors to the cutting edge of electronic information.

At that time, he was only twenty-one.

Seated in the chair, he lit a cigarette after their intimate encounter and exhaled slowly. With a tap on the stack of documents before him, he offered, "The Peters family is bidding on some land in the city's south. Consider it yours without any competition."

It was supposed to be her reward for the sex.

"No need," Joanna responded firmly.

Her skirt was ripped, and her pink lace underwear lay in tatters. She headed to the lounge to fetch a fresh set. "Let's wait for the bid results."

She was aware that without Anthony's influence, the Peters family stood little chance at winning.

Yet, having endured the hardest times, she no longer wanted to view their relationship as merely transactional. The only reason she remained with Anthony was her love for him.

"Don't worry. She won't find out about you," Anthony murmured.

He was determined to keep her concealed, his eternal secret.

Could it be because she bore a striking resemblance to his first love?

For a brief moment, Joanna was uncertain whether she despised Anthony more or the fact that she looked like someone he once loved.

She had to accept the harsh reality. She had fallen for a man at the pinnacle of power.

Eventually, he would marry and have children with someone of his own social standing, like Madisyn Tucker, the heiress to the Proria Group.

A month earlier, they had exchanged engagement rings. Both Anthony and Madisyn had known each other since childhood, and she was not only his first love but also a highly sought-after designer, which made her an ideal partner for him in every respect.

Rumors circulated that at the age of seven, Anthony had been kidnapped, and it was Madisyn who had rescued him. And what about Joanna? She was just his hidden lover.

In the quiet office, Joanna straightened her sleek black business skirt, securing the zipper and adjusting her outfit as her lips remained colorless.

She had been coerced into this role.

Her dignity intact, she affirmed, "I've told you before, I'll be a lover but never a wrecker of homes. Since you're to be married, this must end. I've drafted my resignation. Once this project wraps up, I'm leaving."

Even in darkness, Joanna held to her principles.

Anthony, his expression icy, extinguished his cigarette in a crystal ashtray and retorted sharply, "Joanna, you don't have the power to stop this game. Do you understand?"

Adorned in a tailored black suit, Joanna exuded an elegant yet compelling aura, her long legs accentuated by stiletto heels, making her a striking figure amongst the secretaries.

She murmured a subdued "Yes," then retreated to the restroom to freshen up her makeup.

As the office door swung shut behind the departing Anthony, Joanna slumped against the restroom sink, overwhelmed.

Without warning, a surge of nausea overwhelmed her, causing her to grasp the sink tightly as she began to gag violently.