Horace was baffled by his words and quickly explained, “Jonathan, there must be some misunderstanding. I haven't reported you. Our company has always worked with you. You've referred many of our best graduates to us, so why would we ever report you?"

"We're nothing but grateful. He did drink too much last night and tried to coerce a female student, but she escaped. Could she be the one who reported you?"

Horace thought about it. Other than Chloe, he couldn't think of anyone else who would report Jonathan.

Chloe did run away last night.

Adrian scoffed, "Horace, do you really think that story holds up?"

Horace didn't know who did it, but he was annoyed that Adrian was accusing him without any proof. "Jonathan, I wouldn't joke about something like this. Ms. Scott was suddenly attacked today, and we're at the hospital right now. Even here, Ms. Scott is worried about your students. How could we possibly report you?"

With no further explanation, Adrian hung up.

Hearing Horace's side of the conversation, the color drained from Joanna's face, leaving her a ghostly shade of white.

Something had happened to Jonathan!

Damn it, why was nothing going right?!

Horace explained in a low voice, “Ma'am,, Jonathan was reported. I already knew that he had a habit of trying to take advantage of his students."

"But I never thought he'd get reported. Adrian said we were the ones who reported him and his uncle, then hung up."

He suspected it was Chloe. She had been very tense and on edge last night.

"Useless! I asked you to sign Chloe, and you couldn't even handle a simple thing like that?” Joanna cursed coldly.

Horace lowered his head, his expression apologetic. He was also wondering who had reported Jonathan.

Joanna looked at him reproachfully. "Didn't you go to Chloe's school?"

Horace replied, "No! I called her friend, and they said she never came back to the dorm last night."

Joanna realized that since it was New Year's Eve, Chloe had probably gone home for the holiday.

"I understand. Horace, go handle the admission paperwork first."

Seeing that her mood had stabilized somewhat, Horace went downstairs to take care of the hospital admission.

Once he was gone, Joanna looked at Maxwell Griffith in the hospital bed. He was lying there, his face so swollen and bruised that she could barely recognize him.

Her heart ached. Horace had bought her an electric wheelchair. She powered it on, rolled over to the bed, and took Maxwell's hand. Maxwelt don't worry," she whispered. will get revenge for us."

She squeezed his hand tightly, her eyes filled with pain. "Maxwell, you have to wake

up soon. I can't bear to see you lying here like this."

Joanna's words did nothing to soothe the burning rage inside her.

Thinking about the insults those two men had hurled at them-calling them

weaklings, trash-made her want to absolutely destroy them.

Who sent those two men?

Joanna thought of Natalie, and her eyes filled with hatred. Today was New Year's Eve. If she couldn't have a good holiday, then no one could.

Joanna remembered past New Year's, when Wendy would always have a custom couture gown made for her.

She would personally take her to high-end banquets to meet business magnates. Her four older brothers would dote on her, pooling their money to buy her New Year's gifts. Everyone revolved around her, showering her with affection.

But now...

This year, everything was

She had nothing-no gorgeous

gown, no mother's love, no

glamorous parties, and certainly no.

warm affection from her family.