?Chapter 598:


    But with Doug, things weren’t the same.


    Doug might have been cruel, but he was generous. To the world, she was his wife. Sure, people might mock her behind her back, but in her presence, they had no choice but to smile and bow.


    Even if the admiration was superficial, Joyce still thrived on it.


    What did Dani’s achievements matter now?


    She had everything she needed—a life of luxury, entirely on her own terms.


    Even someone as proud as Alexander had no choice but to bow down to her, and that made her feel like it was all worth it.


    Katrina just couldn’t grasp it.


    “I don’t think so. I’m happy with my life now. If you’ve got nothing more to say, don’te looking for me again.”


    Katrina stared at Joyce in shock.


    “All my efforts… Do you know who they were for? I even went so far as to… Do you have any idea how much I’ve sacrificed for you?”


    Katrina spoke with all the sincerity she could muster, but Joyce didn’t flinch.


    She had be like a pampered pet in a golden cage, with her instincts dulled and her ability to survive on her own forgotten. All that remained was her vanity.


    “Joyce, please listen. Soon, I’ll have a lot of money. Come with me. We’ll leave and start over somewhere far away.”


    Just then, Joyce’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She checked it quickly before standing up.


    L?t?st ch?pt?rs in g?lnovels.c?m


    “I told you, I don’t need it. Doug woke up and wants to see me. Don’t bother looking for me again. I’m doing just fine.”


    Without another word, Joyce turned and walked away.


    Katrina stood frozen, her heart aching as she watched her leave, tears silently trailing down her cheeks.


    In a sudden burst of desperation, Katrina grabbed something from her bag and rushed toward Joyce, wrapping her arms around her tightly. Joyce frowned, but before she could pull away, Katrina slipped a USB drive into her bag.


    “Joyce, I regret it. If I had known this is how it would turn out, I never would’ve married Caiden, never would’ve crossed Dani. I would’ve chosen a simple life with you.”


    Joyce shoved Katrina aside, giving her a long look before leaving quietly.


    She didn’t look back, so she didn’t see the regret in Katrina’s eyes.


    As she reached home, her phone rang once more. She checked the screen and saw a message from Alexander.


    “The Bet family is short eight million because of the economic crisis. Can you help again?”


    Joyce smirked. If she was Doug’s trapped pet, only good for pleasing him, then Alexander was slowly but surely heading into her trap too.


    Without a second thought, Joyce sent Alexander a room number, deleted the chat, and walked into the house. That evening, as Doug flew overseas, Joyce, toozy to go out, sent an invitation to Alexander toe over.


    When Alexander stepped in, he saw Joyce sprawled on the sofa, nearly naked, her body covered only by a sheer scarf that barely served a purpose.


    Her wrists had marks from restraints, which made him pause in surprise.


    He frowned instantly and asked, “Are you out of your mind? Inviting me here?”


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