Chapter 165

"All right! Hurry into the operating theater!"

Bruce's face darkened. "Are you listening? Tell him to leave immediately. I don't want to see him!"

"All right, all right! Got it!" Joanna replied, her own face darkening.

Bruce entered the operating theater.

When Joanna emerged into the hospital corridor, Jaydon approached her, concern etched on his face. "How is it?"

Joanna hesitated. "Jay, why don't you go back?"

"Joanna"

"Bruce is short-tempered. He'll lose it if you stay."

Jaydon was silent for a few seconds, then smiled. "I'll take my leave. Call if anything happens."

"All right! Got it!"

"I'll leave the factory in your care for now."

Jaydon looked at her gently. "Don't worry about the factory. I'll make the necessary arrangements. Lilia's illness is the priority. Leave the rest to me."

Joanna nodded. She trusted Jaydon implicitly.

"Sorry to trouble you, Jaydon. I'll return to work as soon as Lilia recovers."

"No hurry. Nothing is more important than Lilia's safety."

Joanna looked at him deeply.

"Well, I'll go then!"

"Bye!"

Jaydon patted Joanna's shoulder, turned, and left the hospital. Staying would only cause more trouble for Joanna and provoke Bruce.

After Jaydon left, Miranda and Kelly arrived to keep Joanna company.

Outside the operating theater, Joanna paced, praying for a successful surgery. Miranda and Kelly offered encouragement. "Don't worry. Lilia will be fine!" "That's right! Lilia's such a sweet girl. Heaven will bless her." "Let's hope so!"

Six hours later, the red light above the operating theater went out. The door opened, and the doctor and nurses emerged.

Joanna rushed to them. "How is it, doctor? Was the surgery successful?"

The doctor nodded confidently. "The surgery was a success. We'll monitor for rejection. If there's none, we can schedule a second surgery soon."

"That's great! Thank you so much, doctor!" Joanna breathed a sigh of relief.

"You're welcome. It's our job."

After a while, Bruce was wheeled out. Normally, several bone marrow transplant surgeries are needed depending on rejection. This was the early stage; recovery would determine the rest. Joanna approached him anxiously. "How are you feeling, Bruce?"

Bruce was conscious. He lifted his head, his face pale, his usually sharp eyes looking somewhat dull. He looked weak. Joanna held his hand.

"Where's Lilia?"

"She's still inside."

"Thank you, Bruce!"

"Why thank me? I'm her father. It's my responsibility." Bruce said arrogantly, his words laced with sarcasm. His anger toward Joanna persisted.

Joanna's eyelashes fluttered. Seeing his sacrifice, she decided not to argue.

Three days later, Bruce had fully recovered, and Lilia showed no signs of rejection. Joanna had cared for Lilia in the hospital.

On the fourth day, after observation, Lilia still showed no rejection. The doctor was pleased. "We can perform a second surgery once the patient has fully recovered." Joanna's heart leaped.

"Thank you, doctor."

"You're welcome."

With Bruce's bone marrow donation, Lilia's surgery was a success. She would regain her health after the second surgery.

In the ward, Bruce lay in bed like a king, while Joanna attended to his every need—soup, drinks, fruit, supplements. She served him as if he were royalty. He enjoyed the attention, though he wasn't as weak as he appeared and could walk. He simply liked Joanna's careful attention.

"More?"

"No, I'm done."

"Fruit?"

"Yes."

Joanna peeled an apple and fed him small pieces with a toothpick. After a few pieces, she sighed.

"Bruce"

"What's wrong?"

"Where are Davian and Irvin? I'm worried. Can I bring them home?"

Bruce rolled his eyes. "They're fine at the Everett mansion. We'll wait until Lilia recovers"

"But it's been so long! I'm worried!"

"They're at the Everett mansion. Don't worry."

Joanna frowned. "I want to bring the kids home!"

"Not now. Grandma's still being treated. If she finds out the kids are gone, she'll be furious."

"You can't keep me from seeing them forever! They're my children!" Joanna's eyes hardened. Were it not for his bone marrow donation, she would have brought them home long ago.

Bruce's face darkened. "Let's wait until Lilia's fully recovered and Grandma's condition stabilizes. I'll talk to Grandma. Don't worry, she won't take your children."

"You must keep your word."

"Of course! When have I ever gone back on my word?"

Joanna could only wait patiently. Davian and Irvin were safe at the Everett mansion, well cared for by the numerous servants.

At the Everett mansion, Davian and Irvin had been there for almost two weeks. Despite the good care, they missed Joanna and Lilia.

Irvin, bored amidst his toys, said, "Davian, it's been so many days. Why hasn't Mommy picked us up yet?"

Davian felt despondent. "That's right. I miss Great-Grandma too."

"Let's go back and see."

"Okay!"

They started toward the main door, but servants stopped them.

"Where are you going, Davian and Irvin?"

"We want to go home!"

"But this is your home!"

A servant tried to coax them back.

"This isn't our home! We want to go home to Mommy!"

"You can stay here. This is your home." The servants muttered to themselves about how lucky the boys were, yet they wanted to leave.

"No, we want Mommy!"

"Mrs. Margaret instructed you to stay here"

The servants wouldn't open the door, despite the boys' protests. Frustrated, they returned to their room.

"Irvin, this house is a maze, with three electronic doors. There's no way out."

"Davian, let's find a way out!"

"Okay. I have an idea."

Irvin suggested, "But there are so many bodyguards and doors. What if we get lost?"

Davian smirked. "Watch me! Remember what I'm good at?"

Irvin smiled. "Haha I'm counting on you, Davian."

Then, the two little fellows snuck into the computer room

(The story ends abruptly here. There is no conclusion to their escape attempt.)