"He is my husband," I said, nodding obediently. "Standing by him is my duty."
Inheriting everything he owns is also my duty.
The moment the banquet ended and the guests dispersed, the atmosphere shifted. Jesse cornered me in the hallway, slamming his palm against the wall by my head. His face was thunderous.
"You really put on quite a show, didn't you?"
I looked up at him, feigning confusion. "What do you mean?"
Jesse let out a cold laugh. "Did you honestly think playing the magnanimous saint would change my mind?" He leaned in, his cologne suffocating. "You didn't cry, didn't make a scene… for a second, I thought you'd actually matured. Didn't expect your methods to stay this filthy."
I truly didn't understand what he was talking about.
Impatient with my silence, he whipped out his phone and shoved the screen in my face. A call log from Grandpa.
"I brought Joanna to the banquet, and immediately after, Grandpa called to tear strips off me. He even ripped that contract from my hands and gave it to you instead. Do you dare look me in the eye and say you didn't orchestrate that?"
So he'd misunderstood again. He thought I'd run to his grandfather to tattle.
"Think whatever you want," I said flatly.
Jesse froze. The old Tessa would have panicked. The old Tessa would have begged him to believe her, desperate to clear her name.
He scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Fine. Since you refuse to be obedient, don't blame me for embarrassing you."
I assumed he meant he'd take Joanna on another shopping spree or buy her a car.
I was wrong.
On the day of the board meeting, Joanna strolled into the conference room like she owned the building. She walked past me with her chin held high, radiating smug satisfaction, and sat directly beside Jesse.
"I've resigned from the hospital," she announced, her voice dripping sweetness. "Mr. Gilbert recommended me for a seat on the board. We'll be colleagues from now on."
The voting commenced. I passed with unanimous support; my ten years of work spoke for themselves.
Joanna barely scraped by. Only Jesse's faction voted for her.
She didn't seem to care about the numbers. She only cared about the victory. She leaned toward me, dropping her voice so only I could hear. "It took you ten years to get a seat at this table. I did it in two weeks. I think we both know who the real winner is."