At the head of the table, Patrick's face was a storm cloud. The board wasn't a playground for stray pets, yet here was Jesse, forcing his mistress into the inner circle.

Even worse, the Fox family was the very architect of the crisis that nearly bankrupted the Gilberts a decade ago.

Jesse wasn't old, but he was acting like a senile fool.

He caught my eye and raised a brow—a silent taunt: This is the price of your disobedience.

I held his gaze, expression unreadable: As long as your little canary stays in her cage, I don't care.

As we walked out, Jesse caught my arm, halting me in front of the other directors.

"I'm flying to the Middle East tomorrow," he announced loudly. "You and Joanna need to get along. She's new to this. Make sure you mentor her properly."

A ripple of shock went through the bystanders. Asking the wife to train the mistress? Unheard of. A public humiliation.

I lowered my gaze, masking the cold fury burning in my chest.

Patrick, unable to stomach the scene, glared at his grandson, knuckles white on his cane. But Jesse didn't flinch. He wasn't afraid of the old man anymore.

He leaned down to my ear, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper.

"Grandpa is old, Tessa. He won't be around to protect you forever. If you know what's good for you, don't play any tricks while I'm gone."

My love for Jesse had withered years ago—nothing but cold ash. His threats held no power over me.

"Fine," I said, steady. "I won't make things difficult for Joanna. I'll even ensure she's... taken care of."

The moment Jesse's private jet left the tarmac, Joanna unleashed chaos. She purged the executive suite—veteran managers, core team members—all under the guise of "cost-cutting." In reality, she was clearing out anyone who might oppose her, claiming she was merely removing "dead weight."

The ousted employees flocked to me. I played my part perfectly: the helpless, downtrodden wife.

"It was Jesse's direct order," I said, keeping my expression pained. "I'm forbidden from managing company affairs. I may be his wife, but here, I'm still an outsider."

To prove it, I dialed Jesse on speakerphone in front of them.

"Jesse, Joanna is firing the core team. You have to—"

"If she wants to fire them, let her," he cut me off. "We don't need to feed a bunch of idlers. Stop obsessing over Joanna and mind your own business."

Click.

I lowered the phone, meeting their devastated gazes. "You heard him."