Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Mr.
Grant , theres a crowd outside .
If you go out now to check on her , your relationship wont stay hidden for long .
William said , speaking calmly .
him , but he couldnt ignore the reality of the situation .
After all , the secret marriage had been Joycelyns He didnt stop h request .

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Ellison didnt seem to care .
He strode into the elevator , pressing the button for the first floor with determination .
William quickly followed and stood behind him , maintaining a calm demeanor .
As the elevator descended , Ellison stood with his hands in his pockets , his expression as cold as ever .
The sharp , handsome lines of his face were shadowed by an ominous air .
The tension around him seemed to pulse , as if it could shatter the elevator at any moment .
William , stealing glances at him .
kept his mouth shut , sensing that any word might make the situation worse .
Joycelyn, on the other hand , felt heavy hearted .
From the scandal about the roses this morning to the mess with her family just now , she knew the office would be buzzing with rumors about her before long .
Aurelia and Selene stayed by her side , offering words of comfort .
Joycelyn , you handled that beautifully just now .
I always thought your mom was a bit soft , but now I see its not softness , its just ignorance .
How could she hit her own daughter ? Aurelia said , clearly upset .
She had been around long enough to recognize the kind of person Joycelyn was .
Theyd worked together for two years , and in that time , Aurelia had seen Joycelyns diligence and integrity firsthand .
She was hard working and responsible .
As a person , she was kind , considerate , and loyal to her family .
Despite being young and attractive , shed never shown any desire to flaunt it .
Shed always put her family first , even sacrificing personal luxuries .
To think that someone like Joycelyn who had never even dated was being slandered for having an affair with an older man .
It made Aurelia furious .
Joycelyn , now processing the events , realized how brave she had been in standing up for herself for the first time .
After all these years , she had finally fought back .
Still , the aftermath was hard to shake .
Your stepsister is obviously a schemer , a classic bitch type .
Shes not someone you want to underestimate .
Joycelyn , you should move out .
You make enough money to support yourself , Selene encouraged .
Ive already moved out .
Joycelyn sighed softly , looking at the descending numbers in the elevator .
Her eyes were swollen from crying .
They tried to force me into an arranged marriage because the guy promised a huge sum of money .
I didnt like him , so I ended things with them , Joycelyn added .
She looked at the numbers flicking by as the elevator went down , feeling a deep sense of loss .
She had cut ties with them , no matter how much she tried to break free , they kept pulling her back in ..
but She thought , What should I do if they dont stop ? The image of Mercer familys hostile faces lingered in her mind , and she felt a knot in her stomach .
Selene clenched her fists .
They probably thought you were beautiful and obedient , so they wanted to sell you off for a good price .
Chapter 33 Aurelias tone was stern .
Dont let them manipulate you .
As women , if we want to stand on our own , we have to be tough Cut out the toxic people , and dont let anyone drain you .
Sometimes , family can be even more dangerous than strangers Yeah , I know .
Joycelyn nodded , her tone quiet .
Just then , the elevator doors opened As Joycelyn stepped forward , she almost collided with Ellison , who was in a hurry to leave the elevator .
Their eyes met , and for a moment , everything else seemed to fade .
He was looking at her with deep concern , and for a brief second , Joycelyn thought she was imagining it .
She instinctively lowered her head , letting her hair fall to cover the side of her face that had been slapped .
Ellison , who had been about to step out , paused when he saw her .
His eyes immediately locked onto the swollen half of her face , and the pain in his chest surged .
His anger was palpable , but so was his tenderness .
Mr.
Grant , Joycelyn greeted him politely , her voice a little shaky .
Aurelia and Selene , following behind , were momentarily stunned when they saw Ellison in the elevator .
They quickly nodded and greeted him .
Mr.
Grant Ellison gave a brief nod , stepping back to allow them to enter the elevator .
Aurelia and Selene exchanged a glance , both confused , thinking .
Wasnt the elevator coming down ? Why is Mr.
Grant staying inside ? Is everything alright ? I heard there was some trouble outside .
Ellisons voice , calm yet steady , broke the silence in the elevator .
Although he addressed all three of them , his gaze was fixed on Joycelyn , who was still standing there with her head lowered .
clearly upset .
Joycelyn replied softly , Im fine .
I just worry it might cause some negative attention for the company .
The company always supports its employees , Ellison said , his voice firm .
Tll get to the bottom of this .
Aurelia and Selene exchanged a quick glance at each other when they heard his words .
Mr.
Grant is amazing ! Were so lucky to work for someone as powerful and charismatic as you , Selene said enthusiastically , giving him a thumbs up .
If youve been wronged , take the afternoon off .
Im approving it , Ellison added , his concern evident as he noticed the distress in Joycelyns demeanor .
Im fine , really , I dont need to rest , Joycelyn quickly refused , not wanting to seem weak .
Come on , Joycelyn , this is a special perk from Mr.
Grant , Selene insisted with a bright smile , trying to cheer her up .
Youve had a tough time today .
Take a break , maybe get some sleep Yeah , and youre not even living at home anymore , right ? Where are you staying ? We should hang out this weekend go shopping or see a movie , Selene continued , doing her best to take Joycelyns mind off things .
But Joycelyn wasnt sure how to respond .
T … L.
She hesitated , trailing off as she nervously swallowed .
Tm staying with a good friend for now .
Maybe we can plan something this weekend .
Joycelyn wasnt the type to talk much , and she wasnt good at lying .
After saying that , she felt awkward , not knowing where to look .
17:07 Ke , 11 Feb Chapter 34 Ellison , observing her discomfort , gave her a brief , subtle glance .
When the elevator doors opened , he pressed the button to keep them open , his voice quiet yet firm .
Weve arrived Aurelia and Selene , startled by his action , quickly ushered Joycelyn out of the elevator .
Back at her desk , Joycelyn had barely taken a sip of water when Aurelia and Selene started packing up her bag .
You should head home and rest , Aurelia suggested kindly .
Okay , Joycelyn said softly , nodding in agreement .
You two go ahead .
Ill be fine on my own .
She took her bag from them , reassuring them that she would be okay .
As they returned to their own desks , Joycelyns phone buzzed with a new message .
Ellison : [ Ive arranged for the driver to take you home at the second basement level .
] Joycelyn : [ Okay .
] Ellison : [ Does your face still hurt ? Do you need to go to the hospital ?] Seeing his concerned message , Joycelyn bit her lip , her long fingers quickly typing a response .
[ Im fine .
Just feeling a bit drained .
But if they keep showing up like this , Im not sure what to do .
] She had hesitated for a while , then decided to reach out for help .
Ellison responded almost immediately .
[ Ill have security increase their patrols .
Dont worry .
This is still my company.1 Joycelyn : [ Thank you .
Im sorry to trouble you .
] .
She couldnt help but feel like this whole situation might become office gossip and potentially hurt the companys image .
Ellison stared at her polite response , his brow furrowing slightly .
[ If you really think its a hassle , find another way to thank me ] Joycelyn : [ What way ? ] Ellison , holding his phone , lightly tapped the screen with his fingers , his expression calm but expectant as he waited for Joycelyn to figure it out on her own .
After waiting a while and receiving no further reply , Joycelyn hesitated before typing .
[ How about I cook you dinner tonight to thank you ? ] Ellison glanced at her response and replied with a simple , [ No need .
] He then set his phone aside and spoke to William , his voice sharp and cold , Have the entire security team replaced .
Make sure this doesnt spread any further within the company .
William nodded respectfully .
Understood , sir .
And one more thing .
Ellison called out to William , his tone even colder .
Find a way to send Ronny out of the office .
Dont let him anywhere near her .
Ellison thought , Ronny , if you are trying to date Joycelyn , you are asking for trouble .
Chapter 34