Chapter 113

Bruce hurriedly left the room after hearing that. He thought, "Henry rarely calls. He must have important news." He picked up the phone. "Hello?"

On the other end, Henry said anxiously, "Mr. Everett, Mrs. Everett isn't feeling well. She wants you to return to the Everett mansion immediately."

"What's wrong with Grandma?" Bruce asked.

"Her condition has worsened, and the doctor has arrived," Henry replied.

Hearing this, Bruce felt a surge of anxiety. "I'm coming home now!"

"Noted, Mr. Everett."

After hanging up, Bruce was about to leave, but then remembered Joanna. He returned to the ward.

"Joanna, I have an emergency. I need to go home. You"

Upset by Bruce's presence, Joanna replied coldly, "Just go. Don't worry about me!"

Bruce instructed, "Cora, Kody, stay here and look after Joanna. Call me if needed."

"Yes, Mr. Everett. Of course."

Bruce leaned over, kissed Joanna's forehead, and said, "I'm leaving. Take care!" Joanna pouted, offering no reply. She thought, "He sounds like he's saying goodbye to a pet. He's so self-centered, he never considers my feelings."

Bruce, unable to spare another moment, hurried away.

In Bruce's eyes, nothing was more important than his grandmother's health. Margaret was his only family; he always obeyed her. He rushed back to Greyport and arrived at the Everett mansion.

"How's Grandma?" he asked.

Henry replied with a grim expression, "The doctor gave Mrs. Everett an injection. She's stable now, but it was critical."

This made Bruce even more uneasy. He nervously approached the bed. Margaret was still on a ventilator, unconscious. Several doctors monitored her. Her heart condition was poor, and she had blood clots. For an ordinary person, this would be life-threatening.

Margaret spent vast sums maintaining her life. For the next few days, she would require injections of expensive regenerative stem cells and nutrients—treatments unaffordable to most. A single bottle of stem cells cost over $2 million; a bottle of nutrients, over $200,000.

"Grandma, how are you feeling?" Bruce asked, gripping her hand worriedly.

Perhaps sensing his presence, Margaret slowly opened her eyes. "Bruce?" she croaked. She then gestured for the doctor to remove the ventilator. The doctor immediately complied.

"Grandma, you should probably keep the ventilator on," Bruce said.

Margaret looked at him lovingly. "It's alright. I want to talk to you."

Bruce managed a smile. "We can talk all day once you're better."

Margaret smiled. "Why haven't you visited these past two days?"

"I was in Mossbourne on a business trip," Bruce replied.

Margaret gently stroked his head. "Is everything alright between you and Roxanne? Are you two good?"

Bruce rolled his eyes. "Grandma, we're fine."

Margaret said, "You're grown now. It wouldn't hurt to marry sooner. Ask Roxanne to visit. I want to see her. It's time to give something to the future Mrs. Everett."

"No problem," Bruce said. He never went against his grandmother's wishes. He’d agree to anything she said. In truth, he'd wanted to break off the engagement with Roxanne for a long time, but feared upsetting Margaret.

Margaret continued, "I've always longed for a great-grandson. Given my condition, it would be enough for me to see you married."

"Grandma, stop saying such things! You'll definitely celebrate your 100th birthday. You'll have a great-grandson, and maybe even a great-great-grandson!"

Margaret smiled at his words. She knew her condition was dire, and she didn't know how much longer she had, even with all the money she was spending. That's why she wanted to see her grandson married before she died.

Elsewhere…

Gavin looked at Roxanne excitedly. "Roxy, I fixed the car!"

"Really? You did it so fast?" Roxanne asked.

Gavin lifted the hood, pointing at the repaired Maybach. "Look, good as new!"

Roxanne glanced at it. "I told you to take it to a dealer. How did they finish so quickly?"

"It would've cost a fortune. Plus, all the paperwork. I only spent $1,000."

Roxanne gasped. "What? You took it to some random repair shop?"

"Relax. My friend's been repairing cars for over ten years. He can fix anything."

"The front cover is dented, and the paint's chipped. We just fixed the dent and resprayed it. See?"

Roxanne stomped her foot and rushed to inspect the car. At first glance, it looked perfect. But closer inspection revealed a rough patch on the expensive satin. The color was close, but the difference was obvious. Maybachs require professional repainting for even minor damage. The paint had a pungent smell and a slight color mismatch. Anyone could tell, especially Bruce Everett.

"You… you infuriate me! It would've been better to leave it as it was!"

Gavin quickly held her shoulder. "Roxy, don't be angry! Bruce has so many cars, and he's so busy. He won't even notice. Rich people see so many luxury items, he won't notice a fake. Relax, we'll be fine!"

Roxanne, furious, felt her lungs would burst. But the car was already fixed. "Fine. Let's forget it. I hope we get away with it."

"Roxy, don't be angry. We'll be fine," Gavin comforted, hugging her.

Roxanne angrily pushed him away. "Now's not the time! Why are you even in the mood? Go away!"

"Roxy, please. Let me make it up to you. I'll satisfy you tonight."

He carried her into the house. Gavin's only talent was pleasing Roxanne sexually. Even though he was poor and unsuccessful, she stayed with him; he was her first. He'd transformed her from an innocent girl into an experienced woman. They’d been intimate countless times, and she was always satisfied.

Soon, heavy breathing filled the room. Then, Roxanne's phone buzzed. She initially ignored it, but recognized Bruce's unique ringtone. She gestured for Gavin to stop.

"Hi, Bruce!"

"Where are you?" Bruce asked.

Gavin, jealous, gave Roxanne a forceful thrust. She stifled a cry. "I'm… out," she managed.

"Grandma wants to see you. Send me your location, and I'll send a car."

"Oh, no thanks. I just had my car fixed. I'll drive myself."

"Alright then." Bruce hung up, sensing something was amiss. Roxanne's voice was unusually hoarse and nervous; it usually bright and cheerful when she spoke to him.

After hanging up, Roxanne angrily slapped Gavin. "You'll be dead if you ruin this! Get out!"

"Roxy, we're not finished!"

"Get lost!"

"Are you rushing to see Bruce?"

"Yes!"

Roxanne shoved him away, quickly dressed, applied makeup, and drove off. As she left Gavin's house, several gangsters on the street stared, as if she were a celebrity.

(The final “SEND GIFT” and website promotion have been removed as they are out of place within the narrative.)