Ace's strong aura caused Wyatt to shrink back a little.
However, with so many cameras aiming at them, he did not think Ace would dare do anything funny!
"What else could I want, my nephew-in-law?"
Wyatt cleared his throat and said loudly, "My niece has been your wife for many years. She has always been a responsible wife. Now that you want to dump her, all you're giving her is a stupid law firm? How is she supposed to live from now on? Considering how rich the Moran family is, surely you don't have to be so heartless?"
His words caused an uproar in the crowd. The reporters frantically pressed their shutters.
"My niece is timid and has a thin skin, so she begged me the whole night to help her fight for what she deserves…"
"I'll keep it simple. Give us $10 million and we promise to disappear from your life completely!"
Wyatt could hardly wait to extort Ace.
"Wyatt , shut the hell up!"
Joanna said through clenched teeth.
His words had dragged her reputation through the mud. She wished she could tear him into pieces!
Joanna stole a careful glance at Ace. She thought he would be furious, but… he was actually quite calm. Still the same emotionless face that kept everyone at bay.
He stood tall like a celestial being, giving off a sense of oppression. He turned slightly and said, "Jack, take him to the finance office."
Then, he simply walked away.
That… that's it?
Wyatt swallowed hard. He could not believe it was that easy to earn $10 million.
Before he came, he was afraid that Ace would be difficult to deal with, so he had even prepared a small knife, intending to put up an act of harming himself to threaten Ace.
Had he known that his niece-in-law was this generous, he would have asked for more!
After taking a few steps, Ace suddenly turned back and looked coldly at Joanna, who had stood rooted to the spot with a confused face. He asked, "Aren't you coming?"
Joanna jolted back to her senses and quickly followed behind him.
Ace went back to the visitors with Joanna in tow and calmly introduced her to them.
Joanna quickly calmed down and greeted the visitors. The way she carried herself with elegance and dignity drew praise from them.
They took a photo together, talked for a bit, and happily concluded the visit.
Joanna could finally heave a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the crisis was averted,
If Wyatt had messed up the visit due to the scene he caused, she would have felt so bad, not to mention Ace might make things hard for her.
Joanna and Ace stepped into the CEO's private elevator. As soon as the elevator door closed, all pretense of love and harmony between them dropped. Neither of them spoke. The atmosphere was awkward,
While the elevator climbed, Joanna stole a secret glance at Ace.
His face was as cold as ice. It was scary!
Joanna guessed that he was probably mad. After all, Wyatt's embarrassing actions earlier would probably have a negative impact not only on his reputation, but on Moran Group's as well.
"Umm…"
"
She cleared her throat softly and said, "I'm sorry for what happened just now. Wyatt is a rat. Please don't give him the $10 million he asked for or he'll just keep coming back for more!""
Ace's face was chilly. Without even looking at Joanna, he said coldly, "If you're dissatisfied with the alimony, you could have just told me directly instead of doing things in such a roundabout way."
So he really had misunderstood her!
Joanna could not find the words to retort. She thought hard about how she should explain it to him so that he would believe her.
The elevator arrived at the floor where the CEO's office was, and Ace strode out.
A handsome figure was standing next to the french window in the corridor. At the moment, he was looking at them with half a smile on his face. "Mr. CEO, you're finally done with business. Do you have time to talk to me now?"
When Joanna saw who it was, she suddenly felt the urge to run away.
Tsk, it never rains but it pours!
Vernom looked at Joanna casually with his hands in his pockets and said pointedly, "What a coincidence. You're here too, Mrs. CEO's wife. A wonderful show is about to begin. Why don't you stay for the show, seeing that you're one of the main protagonists?"
Joanna was not stupid. She naturally heard the hidden meaning in Vernom's words.
It looked like his threat to expose her as Cyber Queen if she refused to work with him was not just an empty threat, but a real one!
Before Ace transferred the law firm's shares to her, her identity as Cyber Queen must remain a secret!
"The famous Vernom! I've long been an admirer of your skills. Could I perhaps have a quiet word with you?"
Although it looked doomed, Joanna was unwilling to give up. She decided to attempt a desperate Hail Mary.
You never know, Vernom might take mercy on her plight and give her a chance.
"Of course."
Vernom's long, narrow eyes shined with a glint of cunningness as he said with a smile, "Since the CEO's wife personally requests it, who am I to refuse?"
Therefore, they both turned towards Ace, who was standing between them.
The meaning was clear: Please step away for a moment.
Ace's already cold face was now covered in frost.
"You have five minutes."
After telling Vernom that with disdain, he walked into the CEO's office without giving them a second glance. The cold air about him made him look like a walking iceberg, leaving a chill in its wake.
As soon as Ace was gone, Joanna dragged Vernom to a dark corner, grabbed his throat with her fingers, and fiercely pushed him against the wall. She said, "I warn you, you better not mess around. If you dare reveal my identity, I can't promise I won't break your neck!"
Vernom was not scared at all. In fact, his eyes were sparkling with excitement. "Who would have thought that the great Cyber Queen isn't only good at coding, she's great at fighting too. How talented. Now I want to work with you even more. Ah, what should I do?"
"Shut up!"
Joanna was afraid someone might hear or see them, so she quickly covered his mouth with her hand and pressed closer to him.
Vernom, who was still struggling a moment ago, suddenly stopped moving, becoming as obedient as a child. He swallowed hard.
Joanna's delicate little face was right in front of his. Her long black hair was as smooth as silk and gave off a subtle fragrance. It tugged at his heartstrings like the furry paw of a kitten.
Joanna had also realized by now that they were a bit too close to each other. She frowned and warned him, "Be careful of what you say. If you agree, nod once."
Vernom nodded obediently.
Joanna removed the hand that was covering his mouth.
Vernom raised his eyebrows and returned to his usual cynical demeanor. He told Joanna, "I'll give you one last chance to work with me to bring the Moran family down. If you do, I'll keep your secret for you. Otherwise…"
"There's no otherwise!"
Joanna proudly stated, "I, Joanna Pierce, never take kindly to threats. I would only work with you if I wished to work with you."
"If you really want to expose my secret, be my guest. But if you do that, from now on, you and I will become mortal enemies. I'll make you pay for your ignorant actions!"
"So if you're going down, you'll bring me down with you?"
With a mocking look in his eyes, Vernom joked, "Why do you still wish to protect Ace even though he treats you so badly? When he finds out later that you're the reason the Moran Group is in this predicament, do you think you'll be able to leave this building alive?"
"You can do as you please!"
Joanna did not want to waste any more time arguing with Vernom. She was prepared to fall out with Ace.
Even without Vernom's intervention, the trouble Wyatt caused earlier was already enough to make Ace fall out with her.
At this point, it probably would not matter anymore, so whatever!
Vernom walked into Ace's office. He was in there for more than ten minutes before he came back out.
Joanna was waiting outside, ready for the storm.
Vernom's thin lips curled into a smile. He said to Joanna, "You can go in now. I've told him everything. If you need help, feel free to call me."