CHAPTER 584: CHAPTER 584

Joanna would no longer have to worry once she’s brought Taylor back to reconcile with her brother, after all.

"Hell no." Liam refused, putting his index fingers into the shape of an ’X’. "I can’t even handle being there, and I play around a lot! You’re a girl and a beautiful one at that! Who knows what would happen when you’re there! I wont let you risk your life!"

"I heard it’s a pretty hellish place. Even a beast would be left with scars all over its body. But don’t you know me? When have I, Joanna Pierce, ever been scared of anyone?"

"I know you’re strong, but you need to know that there are stronger people out there. My master is no joke! I almost made him explode when I refused to be his godson and escaped! He might imprison you and make you his concubine if you went there!"

"Shut it with the nonsense. Hand me the address!" Joanna was impatient, restricting the man’s arms behind his back, increasing her force with every word she spoke until it was unbearable to him.

"So, are you going to tell me or not?"

"No!"

"I’ll break your arms if you don’t." Joanna was quite skilled when it came to punishments, increasing force with every passing second.

"Ow ow ow!’ Liam couldn’t take it anymore and gave in. "Fine, but I’ll go with you. He’s my master, after all. I’m sure he won’t cross the line if I’m there."

Joanna hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, you can come, no one can lay a finger on you with me around."

However, before going through with this plan, she had somewhere else she needed to be.

As the hate was still trending on the internet, Moran group’s share prices were greatly affected.

Moreover, there were paparazzi outside their headquarters every single day, which only made matters worse.

Ace was sitting at his large office at the time, massaging his temples out of exhaustion and frustration. He had not expected this grudge from five years ago to be dug up, placing him as the target of everyone’s hate.

Thinking back on his feud with Quinton, he knew that he was indeed too brutal back then.

However, he did it out of circumstance, having just taken over the company at the time. He had no choice but to be cruel to secure his position.

His family was unhappy with the fact that he took over Moran group, and so were his

employees. The only person they trusted was his brother, Tristan.

Hence, being young and reckless, he was eager to make a name for himself and decided he’d like to talk business in Water Dock.

At the time, Water Dock was overrun by the Carmine Pawnshop, which resulted in a neverending rivalry between the two, and they were at a stalemate.

At the very least, it was until a key figure appeared...

"Mr. Moran, someone is requesting an audience of you." The secretary knocked on the door, speaking in a respectful and careful tone.

"It’s probably those annoying reporters again, isn’t it? Tell them I’m not seeing anyone!"

Ace was annoyed.

He simply never expected any of this information to have been leaked, let alone in such a touching article. With that, he really didn’t have a clue as to how to deal with this for now.

"Mr. Moran, are you sure you don’t want to see anyone?" The secretary asked carefully again.

"Cant you understand me? I won’t be seeing anyone."

"But... the person requesting an audience is... the ex-Mrs. Moran."

Ace’s expression softened, and quickly spoke without hesitation. "Let her in."

"Alright, Mr. Moran." The secretary nodded and sighed to themselves, i ’Mr. Moran sure has a double standard! How adorable!’

Joanna walked into Ace’s office, led by a secretary. It had been so long since she last came here, but everything was still the same... except the man opposite her.

Joanna stared at him, and sadness filled her. He was standing in front of the large French windows like he used to, his back as straight as an arrow.

"What are you doing here?" Ace turned around and shot Joanna a cold glare, looking hostile and unwelcoming.

The secretary glanced at Joanna, and suggested hesitantly, "Mr. Moran, I can show Miss Pierce around if you’re too busy. We can come back after you’re done with your work."

Inwardly, the secretary was grumbling, ’Why is Mr. Moran behaving like this? They’ve been married for a long time, but he doesn’t show his true feelings for her. He deserves it if Mrs.Moran runs away!’

Ace’s face turned livid as he turned to the secretary and growled, "Get out."

"I apologise for intruding," Joanna said and bowed her head slightly, about to turn around and leave.

Ace’s eyes turned steely, and he said through gritted teeth, "I asked her to leave. You stay."

"Okay, I won’t disturb you and Miss Pierce.’ The secretary held back her laughter as she walked out of the president’s office and gently closed the door behind her.

A group of nosy staff had been eagerly waiting for her in the corridor.

"How’s it going? Are they going to get back together?"

"Although it’s been ages, the former Mrs. Moran is obviously still the most suitable for our president. Miss Seraphina isn’t compatible with him at all..."

"Forget it. The president is so unpopular right now, especially since all the bad things he did in the past have come to light. The former Mrs. Moran might be better off away from him!"

"That’s right. She can lead an independent life happily without him!"

The onlookers in the corridor behaved like they used to, and argued endlessly about

whether Ace and Joanna would get back together.

Though so much time had passed, it was as if nothing had changed.

Meanwhile, a deep silence had enveloped Ace’s office. The man in question was now

seated at his desk with one leg crossed over the other as he twirled an expensive pen between his fingers nonchalantly. He sized Joanna up and asked arrogantly, "Are you here today to make peace... or to declare war?’

Joanna raised her brows, and scoffed, "Since you’re so clever, Mr. Moran, why don’t you guess?"

"I’m not interested in the thoughts of irrelevant people. However, since you’re bold enough to come here alone, I’m guessing that hostility isn’t on the cards today."

"Well, you’re wrong,’ Joanna sneered and showed him her wrists. "You know, I really want to beat you up right now, but my conscience is telling me not to act rashly."

"Oh?" Ace smirked. "You and your brother ruined my reputation overnight and I didn’t say anything about it, but now, you’re trying to shift the blame to me?’

"The truth will always prevail." Joanna’s gaze turned cold with hatred. "You did something terrible to my brother, so you shouldn’t be surprised if people find out about it."

"That’s true, but it’s not honourable.’ Ace kept twirling the pen as he smiled lightly. "Have you ever wondered if what you heard is really the truth?"

Joanna narrowed her eyes at the man. "Why don’t you tell me if it is then?"