Chapter 370

Just then, a pair of hands grabbed him and pulled him up. “Come on!”

Tyler stared at her in shock. “Joanna?”

Even with a hat and a big mask covering her face, he recognized her instantly.

It was Joanna.

She was finally back.

“Let’s go!” Joanna grabbed Tyler and pulled him toward safety.

In the chaos, they made their way to the bride’s lounge.

Edith and Amelia were already there. Seven or eight bodyguards stood guard at the doors and windows, guns at the ready, doing everything they could to keep the people inside safe.

“Aunt Joanna?” Edith exclaimed, thrilled to see the familiar face.

Joanna stayed silent, still trying to keep a low profile.

After all, there were still outsiders.

Amelia flashed her a gentle smile. “Relax, we’re all familiar faces here. You don’t have to keep up the act.”

Joanna took off her mask.

Edith rushed into Joanna’s arms, so excited that she started crying. “Aunt Joanna, you’re finally back…”

“The doctor said you need to watch your emotions, so stop crying,” Joanna said, gently patting Edith’s back with motherly tenderness.

From the corner, Maisie watched them, their bond so close it felt like mother and daughter, and a sharp pang gripped her heart.

‘Mom would never look at me first, not even for a second. Why?’ Maisie couldn’t get it. ‘I’m her real daughter, and I used to be the precious princess of the Zuckerberg family, too!’

Amelia quietly stepped closer and gently took Maisie’s hand.

Maisie forced a bitter smile, lowered her head, and made herself look away. She couldn’t keep torturing herself like this.

“Aunt Joanna, thank you for coming,” Edith said, choking back tears.

Joanna gently comforted her. “Even after getting married, you’re still a crybaby,”

“I can’t help it. I’m just happy,” Edith sniffled.

Joanna smiled and nodded. “I know.”

After a long moment, Joanna finally turned to look at her daughter. “Mais.”

Maisie looked up, startled and almost unable to believe it.

“I’m back. Aren’t you going to hug me?” Joanna opened her arms wide.

Maisie was utterly surprised.

Amelia gave her a gentle push, and only then did she realize, stepping forward.

After all this time, Maisie finally got to hug her mother. She closed her eyes, fighting back tears. “Thank you for coming…”

“Yeah,” Joanna responded with a single word.

Yet Maisie was content.

Right now wasn’t the time to celebrate their family reunion just yet.

Tyler panicked, nearly wetting himself. “Joanna, what’s going on here?”

“Someone’s trying to ruin the wedding,” Edith explained.

“I know that! I mean, who’s behind all this? Did you call the cops?” Tyler stomped his foot in frustration.

Joanna sighed, a little exasperated. “Tyler, you’re the man here, and you’re the oldest.”

Yet, Tyler was the only one panicking. The women were all calm and collected.

Tyler protested, “I’m not like you all! I’m a law–abiding businessman.”

“Just stay here and wait. Everything will be fine in a while,” Joanna reassured him.

Amelia and Maisie exchanged a glance, both bursting into delighted smiles.

‘So Joanna’s the real game–changer today!’ Amelia thought, feeling a rush of relief. ‘With all this backup, the mess outside should be wrapped up soon, right?!

To lighten the mood, Amelia grabbed the fruit platter and started passing out fresh fruit to everyone.

Edith finally let herself relax, leaning back on the couch, quietly enjoying some fruit while she waited for Daniel to bring good news.

Maisie stepped forward and whispered to Joanna, “Mom, where’s he?”

“He’s out there helping,” Joanna replied.

Maisie froze, eyes wide with shock.

After a few seconds, she finally snapped out of it and hissed, “Why didn’t you hide him?”

“Landon promised me he wouldn’t hurt him,” Joanna said, utterly composed.

Compared to that, Maisie’s overreactions just came off as dramatic.

“I’m going to be with him for the rest of my life. Whether you approve of it or not, it won’t change anything,” Joanna said, her tone as firm as ever.

Maisie sighed. “I never said I was against it…”

Joanna raised an eyebrow. “So you support me?”

“Yeah.” Maisie nodded and hugged Joanna tightly. “If all you’ve been through was just so you could be with him, then I support you.”

Joanna fell silent.

‘Was every calculated move just about getting a guy? No, not at all,’ she thought.

She was born ambitious.

It wasn’t just Porter she was after. She wanted power, too.

Those who obeyed her prospered, while those who resisted perished. She eliminated anyone who stood in her way.

When her abilities weren’t enough, she threw herself into the Kington Gang and the Mystic Sect. She’d stop at nothing to get what she wanted, no matter what lines she had to cross.

Even if it meant sinking herself into the deepest mess imaginable…

“Mom, we’re all so happy you could make it today,” Maisie said, pressing her cheek against Joanna’s just like she did when she was a little girl.

Joanna smiled and said, “Yes, all my ambition was just for him.”

As the minutes dragged on, Amelia orchestrated everyone, glancing at the clock now and then, her smile masking the worry in her heart.

She hoped they could make today a total victory, to finish Jonny off once and for all, and make sure he’d never be a problem again.

“Amy, come sit with us for a bit,” Edith called out.

As a frail pregnant woman with her husband out there fighting, she should have been deeply worried.

Yet, Edith was oddly composed.

Amelia couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you worried?”

“Not at all! I trust them completely,” Edith replied with a sweet smile. “Daniel said he’s more than capable of keeping me safe.”

Then, she added, “And of course, he’ll protect you too. You’re his sister.”

Amelia was momentarily at a loss for words.

‘Alright, I should trust my husband and my brother too!’ she told herself.

After a long while, Landon finally called. “Amy, it’s all over.”

“Are you guys okay?” Amelia asked, her voice tight with worry.

“We’re all good,” Landon replied.

“That’s great…” Amelia said, her heart finally at ease. She turned away, wiping her eyes.

“How’s everything on your end?” Landon asked.

“We’re all good here, no need to worry,” Amelia replied.

“Okay, just don’t open the door until we’re back,” Landon said.

“Got it!” Amelia replied.

On the other end of the line, Landon’s voice was tangled with frantic footsteps and shouting in the background.

From the sound of it, the fight had just ended, and they were busy dealing with the aftermath outside.

Amelia tightly clutched her phone, reluctant to end the call.

Landon’s breathing was ragged. Amelia guessed he must’ve been exhausted from the fight. She listened quietly, and just hearing him breathe made her feel safe again.

Slowly, the chaos and noise faded away.

Then came a knock at the door. “Honey, it’s me. You can open the door now.”

“Okay!” Amelia responded.

She spun around and dashed to the door.

Everyone froze when they heard the knock at the door. Tyler freaked out, his voice shaking as he yelled, “They’re here! They’re gonna finish us off…”

“Shut up!” Joanna snapped, stuffing an apple in his mouth to shut him up.

“Is that my husband back?” Edith asked, her eyes shining.

She started to get up, but Maisie quickly held her down. “Nope, not yours.”

“Then who is it?” Edith asked.

“It’s her husband,” Maisie jerked her chin toward Amelia. “Let her have her lovey–dovey moment first. I’ll call you when it’s your turn.”

“Oh, okay!” Edith said.

She was cool with it, just sitting there and waiting for her husband.

From her angle, she could only see one side of Amelia’s back.

So, she didn’t notice Landon standing outside the door, covered in blood.

Chapter 371