Chapter 3 What She Really Wants

Joanna began transferring her responsibilities.

"Lillian, these notes detail Mr. Dixon's preferences. Take some time to familiarize yourself with them."

She passed three hefty notebooks to Lillian Mitchell, who accepted them, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Joanna, you're actually leaving? How will we manage without you?"

Anthony's temper was a known wildcard. When his fury peaked, the entire office avoided the CEO's door - except Joanna. She had a knack for soothing his storms somewhat.

Without her, navigating work would be significantly tougher.

"Don't worry, Clint Palmer's still around. You can reach out to him if you need anything."

While speaking, Joanna caught a glimpse of a towering figure through the door.

Anthony strode into the Secretary Department, his expression as foreboding as an impending storm.

Sensing his mood, the others swiftly vacated, preferring not to engage.

"Once you sign off on my resignation, Clint will find a replacement. The sooner, the better," Joanna stated, continuing her packing without pausing to look at him.

"Joanna, haven't you had enough?" Anthony snapped.

Joanna's smile carried a trace of derision.

Was it not clear to him yet that she was serious, and not just throwing a fit?

"You're getting married, so I'm leaving, just like we agreed."

Anthony seized her wrist, his grip firm, his voice dripping with irony. "Seems like your demands just keep growing. The land in the south of the city, the jewelry deal with Peters Group - aren't those enough for you?"

Joanna stiffened, his words echoing in her mind. "They've reaped plenty of benefits..."

A surge of revulsion washed over her, her stomach turning, yet she suppressed the urge to gag and jerked her hand away. "Anthony, that's enough!"

Anthony's hold tightened, his tone icy as he fixed her with a penetrating gaze. "I'm running out of patience. What is it you want? Name your price!"

Even now, he was attempting to bind her with material gifts.

In Anthony's view, she had only entered his life for financial gain, and her resignation was merely another ploy to extract more from him.

The sudden, sharp pain in her wrist jolted Joanna from her thoughts.

She had long understood the reality - that she was merely a stand-in.

A faint smile appeared on her pale face.

After spending so much time with Anthony, she had picked up a bit of his demeanor.

With a mocking, playful tone, Joanna challenged, "What if I say... all I desire is for you to marry me?"

Their gazes locked, unyielding.

Joanna stood her ground, unwavering.

Anthony, detecting a spark of resolve in her eyes, moderated his tone, holding his frustration in check. "There's still a month before the project bidding concludes. If you reconsider before the results are out, let me know."

A chill enveloped Joanna, solidifying her resolve to leave Anthony for good.

She then baited him deliberately, her voice steady yet resolute. "I don't want anything else. All I want is to marry you."