Chapter 6 The Price Of Pain
“Bill, wasn't she supposed to be dead?” the other man whispered, his face just as pale.
Joanna narrowed her eyes and smirked.
“Believe me, I came back from the dead to drag both of you to hell.”
“What are you talking about?” the man snapped nervously. His badge identified him as Don.
“You know exactly what I mean.”
Joanna swung her fist, but the first man she had collided with caught it with ease. Only then did Joanna remember. She wasn't in her own body.
Although she had combat training in her previous life, her physical strength was completely different now. Millie's body was weak and lacked any real power.
Damn it! she cursed inwardly.
“So you were just bluffing! You want to drag us to hell? Then we'll make sure you experience hell all over again.”
Bill flashed a disgusting grin. The same grin from her dream.
Joanna struggled, but Millie's body was far too weak. If she still had her old strength, these two bastards would already be on the floor.
They dragged her back into the storage room and slammed her against a shelf. Pain exploded through her body.
“You monsters!” Joanna hissed, desperately searching for something she could use to defend herself.
“This monster is about to give you pleasure again.”
Bill started walking toward her. Joanna immediately grabbed a cleaning bottle. She swung it at Bill's head without hesitation.
“Damn it! You've really pissed me off! Don! Hold her down!”
Don obeyed instantly. He restrained Joanna as she struggled with all her strength, but once again, it wasn't enough. Soon, Bill's hands began roaming over her body.
“Stay still!”
Bill punched her in the head.
Joanna collapsed to the floor, her vision spinning.
But when she lifted her head, she saw a figure standing in the gap of the doorway.
Alarich!
He stood there motionless, watching her. Watching as those two bastards continued attacking her without doing a single thing.
“Help!” Joanna reached out toward him. But the figure slowly turned away.
Joanna froze.
He left. Just like in the dream.
For some reason, anger, disappointment, and sadness crashed over her all at once. Hadn't he said he would help her?
A moment later, the door burst open. People flooded into the room. Several police officers immediately restrained Bill and Don. Meanwhile, someone helped Joanna sit down. For a moment, she felt completely dazed.
“Miss Millie, are you hurt?” asked a man dressed in a neat suit.
“Uh, yes, I'm fine.”
Joanna finally looked around. A crowd had gathered, all staring at her. Her gaze instinctively returned to the doorway. Alarich was gone. As if he'd never been there.
The man helped Joanna to her feet and draped a suit jacket over her shoulders.
“Don and Bill have committed inappropriate acts against Miss Millie. They have also severely damaged the company's reputation. Therefore, on behalf of Mr. Alarich Vance, I am terminating both of them immediately and dishonorably.”
He spoke loudly enough for everyone present to hear.
“But Mr. Romero, she's the one who was always flirting with us!” Bill shouted indignantly.
“You can deny it all you want.”
Romero pulled out a tablet and displayed surveillance footage showing Bill and Don dragging Joanna into the storage room before assaulting her.
“She attacked us first!” Don protested.
“According to the investigation, that was self defense. Take them away and proceed according to the law.” Romero turned to the officers.
“Yes, sir!” The two officers immediately dragged Bill and Don away.
Both men struggled and continued trying to defend themselves, but Romero paid them no attention.
“And listen carefully. To everyone who witnessed this incident, we do not want to hear any further discussion about this matter. That includes anyone harassing Miss Millie over what happened today. If anyone dares to do so, we will pursue legal action.” Romero's firm tone made everyone nod in unison. “You may all leave now.”
Joanna frowned. Something about this situation felt strange.
How had all these people gathered here so quickly? And the police? Why did everything feel so carefully arranged?
“Miss Millie?”
Romero's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Huh? Yes?”
“As compensation, Mr. Alarich would like to meet with you in his office.”
Romero extended a hand, gesturing for her to proceed.
Joanna fell silent.
Alarich wanted to see her?
Although she still had countless questions, she eventually turned and left.
Joanna narrowed her eyes at the man seated across from her.
His gaze carefully examined her condition. Only after deciding she wasn't seriously hurt did he appear to relax.
“I know you were there, weren't you?” Joanna's voice trembled with restrained anger.
Her hands clenched unconsciously.
She hated being lied to, and Alarich had done exactly that.
“You said you'd help me!”
“I did help you.” Alarich answered casually. The fact that Millie could still get angry reassured him that she was fine.
“That's not what I mean! Why didn't you come in and help me immediately?” Joanna demanded an answer. “You deliberately let them do that to me, didn't you?!” She shouted so furiously that she sprang to her feet.
Alarich remained silent. There wasn't a trace of irritation in his eyes despite her yelling at him. Instead, his gaze grew deeper. A faint smile appeared on his lips. As though he was actually enjoying being scolded by her.
“Why are you smiling? Answer me!”
“Again.”
Alarich's smile widened.
“You're angry at me again.”
Joanna stared at him, momentarily speechless.
At that moment, the office door opened.
“Sir, everyone has gathered in the conference room.”
“Good. Let's go.”
Alarich rose to his feet and, without asking permission, grabbed Joanna's hand. Naturally, she was startled. Still confused, she could only follow him.
Where is he taking me?
They entered a conference room occupied by six men. The moment Joanna saw them, she knew they had to be Vance Corporation's shareholders. Alarich released her hand just as the door opened. He took the seat at the center of the table, the position reserved for the CEO. With nothing more than a glance and a slight tilt of his head, he instructed Joanna to stand beside him.
Joanna silently complied.
“So what's your plan for covering up this mess?”
One of the shareholders looked back and forth between Alarich and Joanna. His expression was clearly displeased.
“This incident could cause our stock price to plummet.”
Alarich remained calm. Only then did Joanna realize just how dominant and composed his presence was. He looked every bit the leader of a major corporation.
“Earlier, I spoke with Miss Millie.” Alarich finally broke the silence.
Joanna frowned.
When?
“And we've reached an agreement. Miss Millie will not sue the company or pursue this matter any further.”
Joanna's frown deepened.
When did I ever agree to that?
The atmosphere in the room visibly relaxed.
“But there is one condition.” Everyone immediately tensed again.
“From this moment forward, Miss Millie Hart will become my secretary. She will work directly under my supervision.”
The room fell silent. Everyone seemed frozen. Including Joanna.
Secretary? Working directly under him?
Me?
