I Lost Everything and Became My Husband's Thrall のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

The fact that I was now Joseph's mistress might soon be doing the rounds.Should that time come, my fall from grace and transformation to after-dinner gossip would be complete.My parents couldn't believe what they'd just heard. They kept frantically asking me if Joseph and I had really gotten divorced.Once I'd confirmed their fears, my father erupted in a long stream of invective against Joseph and his entire family.My brother stood to one side, looking at him coldly. "He paid off our family debt. He gave you a million dollars. What more do you want? Don't you remember how we treated him? He's already been more than generous.""How could he just throw Anna out in the cold after making his fortune!" My mother objected.I sighed heavily. "That's his choice to make. He doesn't love me. He doesn't owe me anything. Why would he keep me?"My mother was at a loss for words.My father was now panicking. He asked me, desperately, "Even if you've separated, he still wouldn't begrudge you a fe

Jacob folded his arms together and laughed heartily. "This hotel belongs to my family. The dance party was our idea. A good opportunity to check out some rare beauties. Only the finest specimens are allowed to register."Naturally, in order to make sure our high standards are met, we've had to personally oversee the registration process. I'm sure you understand."Urgh ...I understood perfectly.This guy seemed like a complete sleazeball.I hid my disgust behind a light-hearted smile. "Do you think I can register?"Jacob stroked his chin appraisingly. He looked me up and down before finally nodding his head. "You're certainly a fine specimen. It's just ... ""It's just what?" I asked.He let out a loud sigh. "It's just what with you and Joseph ... I don't want to cause any trouble."I responded, calmly, "Don't worry. We're not together anymore. There won't be any trouble.""Is that so?" He took out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, and then looked at me doubtfully. "I'm not so

I hurried to set Joseph's fears at ease. "Of course not! How could you think I'd get involved with him?"Joseph snorted, clearly unconvinced.I was regretting asking him not to answer Jacob's call. If I'd known how much trouble it would cause, I wouldn't have said a word.Just as I was thinking this, Joseph's phone started ringing once more.He raised his eyebrows and looked at me meaningfully.I remained silent but gestured to him to answer.He snorted and then accepted the call. He put it on speakerphone.I could hear Jacob clearly. "What the heck? I need to call you twice just to get you to pick up? I didn't interrupt something, did I?"Joseph looked at me before saying, "Whatever it is, spit it out."Jacob gave a sigh. "There's no need to be like that. You sound like you're talking to Anna."I stood there, awkwardly.It seemed like everyone and their dog already knew how much he disliked me.Joseph flashed me a nasty smile. I felt my cheeks flush red.I averted my gaze and heard hi

Something about my words triggered Joseph's anger. His expression immediately darkened.I took a step back and looked at him carefully. "Please don't be mad. I'd just rather not go."I couldn't afford to miss the next day's dance party and the possibility of winning that 300,000 dollar prize. There was just no way I could go with Joseph on his business trip.He stood there for a moment, smoking his cigarette, his cold eyes boring into my soul.I wrung my hands together, nervously, unsure of what to say.Once his cigarette had burned down to the butt, he stubbed it out and said, "Fine. Suit yourself."I breathed a sigh of relief.Joseph stood up straight and walked out of the room. As he passed, he gave me a threatening look and said, "You'd best behave yourself while I'm away. Make sure you don't do anything I wouldn't want you to do.""Don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior." I said.He didn't so much as look at me.He remained in his study the entire night. Perhaps he was too angr

His associate didn't even have the chance to finish his sentence before Jacob slapped him full across the face."Do you have a death wish? This is Joseph's woman.""Huh? She's with Joseph?" His expression instantly changed and he deliberately averted his eyes. "I'm not looking. Please, I'm not looking."And with that, he turned and left.I walked over to Jacob and implored him, earnestly, "Please don't go around telling everyone I'm with Joseph. That's all in the past, and if his sweetheart were to find out, that wouldn't be good for anyone.""What? You're not his sweetheart?"Jacob looked at me in surprise. After a moment, he quickly averted his eyes again. He appeared to be thinking.I decided he probably didn't know about Joseph's sweetheart. It seemed like a good idea not to say too much about it.So, I simply said, "I'll never be his sweetheart."With that, I walked past Jacob and headed over to the makeup chair to get ready.As I did, I heard Jacob muttering to himself behind me.