Chapter 150

Bruce seethed with anger at her words. He chased after her, forcefully pulling her back. "Joanna!"

"What now? Do you want to hit me? Go ahead, hit me!"

"This isn't the first time you've hit me!"

Bruce's eyes blazed with anger. He had hit her in the past, but it had been a misunderstanding. He considered himself a gentleman and disliked hitting women.

"Joanna, you'll be the death of me."

"Bruce, that's enough. I don't want anything more to do with you. Do whatever you wish."

Joanna turned and left, unwilling to face him.

Bruce felt dejected. Just then, Andy called.

"Mr. Everett, Mrs. Everett's condition is worsening. You must return immediately."

"What's wrong with Grandma?"

"The doctor says it's heart failure."

"All right, I'll go back now."

After hanging up, Bruce immediately returned to the Everett mansion. He arrived shortly thereafter.

"Where's Grandma?"

"The doctor just gave her another injection. Her condition has stabilized."

"I'll go see her."

Bruce entered Margaret's room. She lay in bed, weak and frail, an oxygen mask on her face.

"Grandma, I'm back."

Margaret, hearing his voice, weakly gestured for them to remove her mask. Bruce quickly instructed the nurse.

"Grandma, are you feeling better?"

Margaret's eyes were glazed. Bruce held her thin, withered hand. "Grandma, I'm here."

"Where's Roxy?"

"She's at the Sherane Bay Villa. Do you want to see her?"

"It's all right. It's too far; I don't want you rushing back and forth. I'm afraid I don't have much time left."

"Grandma, you'll be fine. You'll live a long life."

"Bruce, hurry and get married while I'm still alive. Grandma wants to see you start a family before I die."

Bruce frowned. He no longer had feelings for Roxanne and didn't want to marry her. However, given Margaret's illness, he couldn't delay. "Grandma, I've decided. I will marry Roxy next month."

"Oh, that's good news. You've been together so long; you should marry soon."

Margaret was unaware of what had happened with Roxanne. If she knew, she would likely rather die than allow the marriage.

That night, Bruce went to the Sherane Bay Villa. He returned home exhausted. Roxanne had prepared a lavish meal: seafood stew, grilled salmon, lamb chops, roasted vegetables, and fresh oysters—all rich, nourishing dishes.

He arrived home at eight o'clock to find Roxanne in a maid's outfit—head scarf and apron included—an attire he found attractive, yet seductive.

"Bruce, you're home."

"Yes." Bruce frowned at her attire; he disliked cosplay.

Roxanne smiled sweetly. "Dinner is ready. Come and eat."

Bruce frowned. "Didn't I tell you to leave the cooking to the servants?"

"I like cooking for you. The servants don't cook as well as I do."

Bruce said, "I don't want you to tire yourself out."

"I have nothing to do at home. If I don't cook, I'll be bored to death."

"All right then. Do whatever you like."

Bruce washed his hands and sat at the table. Roxanne served him seafood stew, smiling. He tasted the herbs. "What is this?"

"It's seafood stew." Roxanne had added many rich, beneficial ingredients.

Bruce frowned harder, looking at the rich food: fresh oysters, grilled salmon, lamb chops, and roasted vegetables. His mood was already bad; such rich food would only worsen it.

"Bruce, eat more."

"Okay."

"More stew. I spent six hours cooking it."

"All right."

For the past month, Bruce hadn't seen Joanna or any other woman. After such a rich meal, he felt the heat trapped in his body.

After dinner, Bruce showered and prepared for bed. Roxanne entered.

"Bruce."

Bruce frowned. "Why are you here?"

"I don't want to sleep alone."

Bruce didn't respond, nor did he object. As they were about to marry, maintaining distance seemed unnecessary.

Roxanne snuggled into his bed, lifting the covers to lie in his arms.

"Bruce, can we try again tonight?"

Bruce sneered. "Do you think I can't?"

"No, I didn't mean that." Roxanne looked nervous.

Bruce didn't reply, turning and pinning her down. He kissed her forcefully. Roxanne was cooperative, abandoning pretense. He was irritable and needed a woman.

"Bruce." Roxanne was delirious.

But at the critical moment, Bruce stopped. He'd lost all interest.

Roxanne looked at him, disappointment evident. "Bruce." His desire had vanished, as if someone had poured ice water on him.

"Sorry, I'm really tired today." He quickly got out of bed.

Something was wrong. Could he have lost interest in sex? No, he just wasn't interested in Roxanne.

Roxanne felt awkward, never expecting this to happen again. The thought, "Looks like he has no sexual desires," sent a chill down her spine. She found herself comparing Bruce to Gavin, growing increasingly nervous.

Meanwhile, Bruce changed clothes, took his keys, and drove away from the villa at eleven o'clock.

Joanna was preparing for bed when her phone rang. It was Bruce. She frowned, reluctant to answer. The phone vibrated incessantly. Finally, she answered. "Hello."

Bruce's grim voice filled the line. "Where are you?"

"What's up?"

"I want to see you."

"Mr. Everett, it's past eleven o'clock."

"I'm drunk. Come pick me up."

"Mr. Everett, get your secretary or driver."

"I'm on the overpass, where I threw your phone. Hurry up and get me."

"Sorry, it's late. I'm going to bed."

Bruce took a deep breath. "Joanna, are you coming?"

"Bruce, what exactly do you want?"

"I'll give you twenty minutes. If you don't come, you'll face the consequences."

He hung up.

"Hey!" Joanna cursed, "What a lunatic! What's wrong with him?" But she dared not ignore him; his unhappiness frightened her.

"Miss Haynes, are you going out this late?"

"Yes, something urgent."

"Oh, be careful. It's late."

"Yes, okay."

Joanna rushed out. Twenty minutes later, she found Bruce's Maybach parked on the overpass, Bruce smoking inside.

"Bruce, it's late. Why did you call me out?"

"Get in the car."

"Where are you taking me?"

"I said, get in the car."

Joanna rolled her eyes and got in. Bruce locked the door and sped off.

"Hey, where are you taking me?"