Chapter 161

The butler answered promptly, "Hello!"

"Mr. Korbin, this is Joanna Haynes. I'm looking for Mrs. Margaret."

"Please hold."

Margaret was undergoing physiotherapy. Korbin handed her the phone, saying, "Mrs. Margaret, it's Miss Joanna Haynes."

"What is it?" Margaret asked before answering. "Hello, Joanna!"

Joanna hesitated, then said, "Grandma, I'd like to… I'd like to bring the kids back."

"They're fine here. You don't need to worry."

"Grandma, I heard you're going to change their names. Is that true?" Joanna asked tentatively.

"Yes, it is. They're members of the Everett family. Why would they have your surname, Haynes?"

"Grandma, I'll bring the kids back first. We can discuss the name change another day…"

Before Joanna could finish, Margaret interrupted, "That's impossible! They're Everett children. We can't let them wander around outside."

"They're my children, Grandma!"

"Joanna, thank you for bearing these three children for the Everett family. However, we're a small family. These three children represent the Everett family's future! I know you're capable, but lack experience raising children. The Everett family is the best environment for them to grow up healthily."

Joanna grew anxious. "Grandma, you can't do this! No matter what, these three children belong to me! I will raise them. You don't need to worry. If you want to see them, they can visit anytime! But you can't keep them with the Everett family forever, and you can't change their names!"

Margaret replied dismissively, "Joanna, you are their mother, and you can visit them at the Everett mansion anytime. However, they cannot live with you. They will be the Everett family's successors and must remain at the mansion to receive the best upbringing."

"Grandma, how could you—"

Margaret interrupted, "I'm in physiotherapy. Talk to you later! If you disagree, speak to my lawyer!"

Margaret hung up. Joanna was stunned. She hadn't expected this. Margaret was always swift and decisive. Joanna knew she needed to talk to Bruce.

Joanna rushed to Bruce, eyes brimming with tears. "Bruce…"

Bruce, startled, stood up. "What happened?"

"Grandma wants to keep the children with the Everett family and change their names!"

Bruce rolled his eyes. They were his children; a name change was inevitable. But knowing Joanna's stubborn nature, he knew he'd have to persuade her gently. "Why? What's wrong with that?" he said calmly.

Joanna's heart pounded. "They're my children! How can she decide to change their names without my approval? I've been kind enough to let them visit her, considering her age. But that doesn't mean I'm giving them to the Everett family permanently! Who is she to change my children's names?"

Seeing her agitation, Bruce offered a hug. "Joanna, please calm down. Let me speak to Grandma."

Joanna stepped back, her eyes bloodshot. "Bruce, you can't let them take my children! They're my life. I'll fight to the end!"

Bruce gently but firmly hugged her. "I know, I know. Don't be angry. Perhaps Grandma just loves them very much! I believe she won't hurt them."

Joanna sobbed, "But she's already hurt me so much!"

"Don't worry. I'll talk to her. I won't let Grandma do this." He added, "I won't let the children be separated from you." He already had a different plan in mind.

Joanna looked at him doubtfully. "Are you sure? Don't lie to me. I hate liars."

Bruce smiled faintly. "Why would I lie? You're their mother, the most important person to them. How could I separate you?" (He actually intended for Joanna to remain with the Everett family).

Joanna calmed down slightly. She needed Bruce's bone marrow donation for Lilia. She'd deal with the children later.

"Be good, don't worry too much. Lilia's illness is the priority," Bruce said, cuddling her.

Bruce's phone buzzed. It was his grandmother.

"Joann, I need to take this call."

"Alright."

He kissed her forehead and left.

"Hello, Grandma."

"Bruce!"

"What is it, Grandma?"

"Come home tonight. I need to tell you something."

Bruce frowned. "Alright. I need to tell you something too."

"Good. Come early."

"Okay."

At six o'clock, Bruce returned to the Everett mansion.

"Grandma, I'm back!"

"Bruce, you're back!" Margaret, in a wheelchair, looked radiant.

Bruce looked around, but the children were absent. "Grandma, where are the children?"

"Upstairs! Korbin's with them."

Bruce paused, then smiled. "Grandma, I heard you want to change the children's names. Is that true?"

"Yes. They're Everett family; they should have our surname, not Haynes!"

Bruce sat beside her, holding her hands. "Grandma, I know they belong to the Everett family. But Joanna raised them for four years. Could you discuss it with her first? This sudden decision… she might not accept it."

Margaret said angrily, "She has to accept it! It's a blessing she bore the Everett family's heirs! It's been four years, and she still refuses to acknowledge the family and hid the truth. I regret it. I'm very angry, and I won't let her raise them."

She coughed. Bruce soothed her. "Grandma, show her some respect. Let me talk to her."

"Bruce, don't interfere. I'll handle it. If she's unhappy, she can talk to me."

Bruce frowned. Margaret was always domineering and had become more stubborn with age. This concerned the Everett heir; he doubted she'd yield. The Everett line was thin; his father died young. Now, these great-grandsons were precious. She wouldn't let anyone take them.

Bruce sighed, unable to argue further. Margaret wasn't well; he couldn't oppose her.