Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena nodded softly. "If my being in Newport doesn't affect Everett, why are you in such a hurry to snatch projects and shove me out?"

Joy's face twisted. It wasn't that she couldn't argue with Selena; she just didn't have the same confidence. That left her feeling vulnerable.

Selena looked at her intently. "Joy, you're not the only one who knows me inside out. I know you too, and it's not hard to see what you're up to."

Joy thought she had the upper hand by using Blaine's business as leverage against Selena. But she also knew exactly what words would sting like a thousand tiny needles. Years of friendship had turned into a boomerang, and now both were left bleeding.

Knowing Joy was prepared for a confrontation, Selena didn't waste her breath trying to change her mind. Instead, she calmly dabbed her lips with a napkin, stood up, and grabbed her purse to leave. Selena's laid-back attitude felt to Joy like trying to punch a pillow-frustratingly pointless. Her hand clenched tightly, her eyes cold.

As soon as Selena stepped out of the private dining room, Joy rushed after her, blocking her way. "Selena, are you planning on asking Everett for help with the project again? If you do, for Everett's sake, I might back down."noveldrama

Joy had thought it through. Selena's quick surrender had to mean she had a backup plan, probably involving Everett. Her whole act was a ploy to drive Joy away, not to give her a chance with Everett. She had to squash that hope entirely.

With a mocking look, Joy said, "Worst case, I end up as the main, and you as the sidekick. We've been like sisters-I wouldn't mind. But your kids might have to take a backseat... from being the main to the side... ah—"

Selena slapped her, quick and sharp. The sound echoed down the hallway. Even though Selena knew Joy was deliberately provoking her, the anger made her tremble, her teeth.chattering. She didn't hold back; Joy's cheek was red and swollen.

Getting slapped in public was humiliating and painful, yet seeing Selena so angry brought Joy a twisted sense of satisfaction. Selena would never understand how it felt for Joy every time she saw her and Everett together-how furious and resentful it made her. Walking in on them in the office had been her worst nightmare. She had imagined countless times that the woman with Everett was her, not Selena.

Joy had met Everett first. Why did Selena get everything that was supposed to be hers? Mrs. Bennett's love, Everett's children—everything Selena had taken, Joy vowed to reclaim, step by step!

Holding her swollen cheek, Joy's lips curled into a smile. "Selena, I won't hold this slap against you. Let's call it even for all those years of friendship. But from now on, we're done."

She took a deep breath, leaning in to whisper, "Winning a man is about skill, not virtue. You're no better than me, so don't you dare look down on me!"

"Oh, and if you're still mad, keep hitting me. I'll stand right here for you."

Selena bit her tip hard, her hands itching to slap Joy again. But she knew if she took the bait, she would lose. Another slap wouldn't solve anything and might even land er in trouble for assault. Given the current situation, she couldn't afford any slip-ups, or Blaine's business in Newport would suffer. Selena closed her eyes and took a deep breath.