Joanna''s brow furrowed as she gave a cold smile. "Ian, I chose you from hundreds of candidates because I recognized your talent. How can you misjudge me like that? Here''s my number. Call me anytime you change your mind."


    "If you''re not happy with a seventy-thirty split, we can make it fifty-fifty. I won''t leech off your work. Don''t misunderstand me; I genuinely just want to help you." Her voice softened, and she smiled at him gently. This man was even more captivating than Sebastian.


    Sebastian was too brooding. This eighteen-year-old boy was exactly her type— devastatingly beautiful.


    Joanna had always been drawn to beautiful things. His alluring eyes and the nonchnt way he sat, both inviting and distant, made him seem unapproachable.


    It sparked a desire in her to conquer him.


    "Ms. Sanders, was I not clear enough? Please leave." The ferocity in his eyes intensified.


    Joanna saw it and a flicker of confusion crossed her face. How could an eighteen- year-old boy have such a terrifying gaze?


    He looked like a demon that had wed its way out of hell.


    Before leaving, Joanna still left her number, tellingn to call her when he came to his senses.


    Joanna left with a dark expression and a strangely twisted smile. Her warped sense of vengeance had taught her a simple lesson: what she couldn''t have, she would destroy.


    He gave a cold smile. He would never betray Ms. Sanders. Once he finished his studies, he would help her.


    When Natalie saw Joanna leave, she entered the room.


    She asked, n, do you know Joanna?"


    It tookn a moment to realize she was talking about the woman who had just left.


    He shook his head. "I don''t. She came to invite me to join herpany, but I refused."


    Natalie gently probed, "That''s a good opportunity. Why did you say no?"


    Natalie took a deep breath. Past life or present, he couldn''t escape this.


    "If she can''t have something, she''ll destroy it. Be careful around her from now on," was all Natalie could say to warn him.


    "That was Joanna. You''ve seen the news online, so you should know she and I are mortal enemies. She''s always plotting against me let alone someone like you who hasn even established yourself yet."


    Natalie''s eyes filled with worry. Even though she had metn first this time, it seemed his fateful encounter with Joanna was unavoidable.


    n, from now on, if you see me, pretend you don''t know me. As long as you don''t know me, Joanna will be infatuated with your looks and won''t do anything to you."


    She seemed to know about his situation.


    RAY


    Natalie didn''t notice his intense gaze and shook her head. "You''re still just a kid. Focus on your studies. As for work, once you''ve learned enough, you can go wherever you want. I''m not helping you for any reward When you graduate, just go work wherever you like."


    "Also, you may be a prodigy in your field, but you have to understand there''s always someone better out there."


    She had found him early to help him avoid Joanna, because in the end, his fate had not been a good one.


    Joanna was fond of getting rid of people once they''d served their purpose. Anyone who was no longer useful had no ce by her side.