The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

Just for one night's time, all those hateful comments about Jocelyn vanished into thin air.

It was like waking up from a nightmare, with only the memory lingering but no actual harm caused.

But that nightmare still had etched a lasting mark on Jocelyn's heart.

Lying in her hospital bed, she replied to each and every message of concern. Then she opened Harrison's Facebook message - he sounded so anxious, his words brimming with worry and care. Jocelyn texted him back to ease his mind: [I'm fine.]

Harrison mentioned he had squared things away with his parents, admitting he had been thoughtless.

Jocelyn knew this wasn't on Harrison. Even if it weren't for him, those out to get her would find other chances.

In the afternoon, Zephyr came to visit Jocelyn with a bunch of flowers, with Yannick trailing behind him.

Zephyr was all flamboyance, while Yannick was reserve. The two of them standing together, though in sharp contrasts, somehow seemed inseparable.

"Hi Zephyr. Hi Yannick," Jocelyn greeted them, sitting up a bit straighter.

Truth be told, she wasn't tight with them. Their sudden visit today left her wondering if someone had put them up to it.

"We heard about the stuff online; you've been wronged," Zephyr said. "Luckily, it's all sorted now. Don't dwell on it too much, what's past is past. We've gotta move on, right?"

In a flash, Jocelyn got the point- they weren't here for a bedside visit; they were here to make sure she'd drop the matter.

They were friends of Willow.

And Jocelyn? She was just a shadowy figure Melvin kept out of the limelight, not fit to mingle with them.

The difference in importance between her and Willow was crystal clear.

Jocelyn chuckled, "True. What's gone is gone. It's not like there's anything I can do, can I?"

Zephyr looked a tad uncomfortable.

Nobody was a fool here. Certainly they could see what Jocelyn meant.

"Thanks for dropping by. I just caught a cold from the rain last night. Everything's fine," Jocelyn flashed them a radiant smile. "Don't worry, I won't waste time on battles I can't win." Zephyr exchanged a glance with Yannick, who shot him a look.

"We won't keep you from resting then; we'll take off. Let's catch up later when you're better."

"Sure."

Zephyr and Yannick left the room, one after the other, closing the door behind them. Zephyr patted his chest, "I didn't say anything wrong just now, did I?"

"It depends on how she takes it," Yannick said expressionlessly. "That was a bit out of line."

Zephyr hurried after Yannick, "How was I out of line? Willow said she was about to join the cast, but suddenly she was replaced. If it wasn't for Melvin's tricks, how could that happen? It's all settled now, everyone steps back and we have peace, isn't that good?"

Yannick was beyond reasoning with him, "You know it was Melvin's doing, then why did you go after Jocelyn?"

"Willow came to me, then how could I not help? I didn't say much, just sussing out Jocelyn's stance. As long as she drops this thing, it's all good."

"It's never been in Jocelyn's hands to decide," Yannick looked at Zephyr with a hint of disdain. "You'd best keep your nose out of others' business, or you'll end up being the bad guy to everyone." Yannick strode towards his car, Zephyr catching up and clapping a hand on his shoulder, "Why didn't you stop me at the start then? You speak up only after I've done it."

Yannick glanced at the hand on his shoulder, flicking it off with his car key, "Do you ever listen to me?"

"Sure, I do," Zephyr slid into the car, buckled up, and raised an eyebrow at Yannick, "I always listen to you."

Yannick was speechless.

Jocelyn handled her own discharge and returned to her apartment.

She checked her computer for that street interview account, but the video with her and Harrison was nowhere to be found now.

Typing her name into the search bar, the school web page popped up, her name and work photo listed under 'distinguished teachers', along with a brief introduction. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The latest bulletin on the school's web page also featured her name, including the petition Ursula had sent her, signed by parents of students - students of the past, the present, and even some students she'd never taught.

Tears warmed her eyes again as she looked at the handwritten list.

Her phone rang beside the computer, but she didn't want to answer, letting it ring out.

Three rings later, the man's patience had worn thin.

With her eyes red and swollen from crying, Jocelyn shut her laptop and headed to the bathroom to wash her face. Suddenly, the door thundered as if someone was about to bust it down.

No need to guess who it was. She went to open the door reluctantly.

Melvin's face was as sour as if he'd just fallen into a cesspit. His look of concern flipping to anger in an instant, "Why didn't you answer my call?"

"Didn't hear it," Jocelyn let go of the door, knowing there was no way getting rid of him now.

She walked in, and Melvin slammed the door behind him, "I thought you were dead or something."

His mouth, as always, was rotten to the core.

Jocelyn slumped onto the couch, pulling her legs up and hugging a cushion, giving him a sidelong glance, "Sorry to disappoint you."

Melvin, fuming, started unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves.

If it weren't for the fact that he never hit women, you'd think he was about to throw a punch at any second.

Seeing her indifference, Melvin charged over and pinned her down, lifting her hands above her head, breathing erratically, his heartbeat strong and forceful. He stared at the flicker of nervousness in her eyes and gritted his teeth, "Don't think just because you're sick, I won't do anything to you."

"No way. Even if I were dead, I'd bet you'd be the type to commit necrophilia," Jocelyn's soft, mocking words completely infuriated the man.

Seeing his bloodshot eyes, Jocelyn did feel a bit scared, but thinking about how Willow used to mess with her, there was no way she was going to back down.

Wasn't it just because she was easy to bully? Otherwise, why would everyone pick on her?

"Are you dumb?" Melvin fumed, gripping her wrist so tightly it visibly reddened.

Her skin has always been flawless, easily bruised with just a pinch or a little suck, leaving red marks behind.

Every time they were together, he wanted to control himself, but also felt a twisted sense of accomplishment seeing the marks on her body, as if they were proof that she belonged to him. Jocelyn was stubborn, not caring even if her wrist was crushed.

"When you meet a human, you speak human language; when you encounter a ghost, you talk ghost talk; and when you meet someone who's inhumane, naturally, you won't have anything nice to say," Jocelyn's tongue was particularly sharp today.

Melvin felt like his lungs were about to explode with anger.

"You should learn to be grateful in life. You're a teacher, certainly you know it," Melvin threatened with narrowed eyes, "Jocelyn, if you don't practice gratitude yourself, how can you expect your students to understand it?"

Jocelyn hated it most when he questioned her ability to teach based on her personal life.

Just like those online trolls, using her private affairs to doubt her professional competence.