Chapter 355

Alexander departed from Daniela's office, making his way to Joyce's residence.

Joyce greeted him without a hint of surprise.

She was well aware of Daniela'snature: generous to a fault unless betrayed, then utterly unforgiving

Alexander wished to reconcile, but he knew Daniela's forgiveness was out of the question.

Upon arriving at Joyce's place, Alexander began to undress immediately. Stripped bare, he stood while Joyce appraised him, her gaze evaluative. "So, are you truly committed this time?"

Alexander's expression was cold, his disdain for Daniela palpable though she still occupied his thoughts."Yes.I am decided."

Joyce's laughter rang out, tinged with warning."Alexander, you can't just waltz in and out here on a whim."

His brows furrowed at her statement. "What are you implying?"

"You should know I'm neither short of money nor of companions. This isn't just a spot for quick cash.Got it?"

It dawned on Alexander that Joyce was proposing a continuous, intimate relationship.

With a cunning smile, Joyce laid out her terms. "One year, at my disposal. You will comply with all my requests. In return, I'll ensure Bennett Group thrives."

The memories of those compromising videos darkened Alexander's mood further.

Joyce's chuckle softened. "Don't worry. Sign this contract and I'll treat you fairly. Those Videos were merely to curb your lingering feelings for Daniela. Stay true to me, and I promise no more games."

Alexander was staggered by how completely Joyce seemed to dominate him now.

"Do you need time to consider?" Joyce asked. His jaw clenched, Alexander dismissed the need for delay. "No need."

Joyce clapped her hands, a light sound in the tense air. "Excellent. Here's the contract. Abide by it, and 1'elevate Bennett Group. Break it, and your company becomes mine." Joyce slid the contract across to him before retiring to the bathroom to undress, leaving him with decisions to ponder.

The faint sound of running water echoed from the bathroom as Alexander fixated on the contract before him,his fists clenched.

His hand shook visibly as he gripped the pen.

Alexander convinced himself that with sufficient wealth, Daniela would regret her indifference. He was determined to gain prominence, to change how Daniela perceived him.

With hands that barely steadied, Alexander affixed his signature to the document.

From the steamy bathroom, Joyce's voice floated casually.nce you're done signing,join me."

Resolutely, Alexander made his way to the bathroom.

Steam enveloped the room where Joyce, unclothed and relaxed, perched on the edge of the sink smoking a cigarette.

Upon his entry, she flicked her cigarette away with a smirk."Carry me to the bath."

Alexander's eyes were glazed, and he moved as though he were a mere automaton.

He moved robotically, bending down to lift Joyce and placing her in the bathtub. Joyce smiled, pinched Alexander's chin, and instructed, "Come in."

Alexander complied without a word.

As Joyce stretched out in the soothing water, closing her eyes with a satisfied expression, she commanded as though weaving a spell, "Kneel. Kiss me."

As the night wore on, it became clear to Alexander that his proud, self-respecting persona was crumbling under Joyce's demeaning demands. Three days later, when Doug returned, Alexander left the villa through the back door, clutching the check Joyce had given him.

After some distance, he glanced back.

Joyce hunched over the window, with Doug behind her, yet her gaze seemed to cut through the distance,locking with Alexander's.

As Alexander held the check, a wave of revulsion overwhelmed him, and he vomited forcefully by the roadside.

Recovering, he clenched the check, straightened up, and strode into the darkness, a resolve hardened within him.

Back at the office, Daniela was immersed in her work. Lillian, watching the news, turned to Daniela with a click of her tongue.

"Have you seen this? Alexander is now completely under Joyce's control."

Daniela, recently preoccupied with acquiring new companies and engrossed in her projects, barely registered the gossip.

Observing the shift in focus, Lillian redirected the conversation. "Katrina also met with Joyce recently.Joyce apparently handed her ten million, which Katrina used to fortify her security. Should we step in?"

Daniela quirked an eyebrow. "Doug's pretty open-handed with Joyce. There's no need for us to get involved. Besides, isn't Nina starting tomorrow? Elyse is far more eager to see Katrina dealt with than we are."

The following morning, Nina made a striking entrance in a vibrant pink ensemble, capturing everyone's attention. Known for her polite demeanor, she courteously greeted everyone at the company.

As Lillian escorted her through various departments, Nina's charm quickly won over many of her male colleagues.

Hailing from the Dury family, renowned for their attractiveness, Nina adeptly used her beauty to influence those around her.

Yet, she tended to look down on those she considered beneath her.

Her motivation for joining Lux Elite was clear; she had already marked a target.

When Lillian and Nina returned to the secretary department, Nina's gaze locked onto Cedric.

Ignoring Lillian, Nina approached Cedric.

With one hand behind her back and the other extended, Nina offered a shy smile."Cedric, you were my senior from high school, and I'm so happy to see you again at Elite Lux. It's great that we'll be working together once more."

Cedric appeared taken aback.

Nina's expression softened, her eyes misting over, yet she maintained a strained smile. "We attended the same high school, though you were quite prominent, so you may not recall me. We once collaborated on a class project or perhaps a bulletin board."

Cedric struggled to remember. He responded with a polite nod.

As he moved to enter Daniela's office, Nina called out to him again.