Chapter 177

Margaret paused, suppressing her anger. She patiently tried to persuade Joanna.

"Joanna, you can't raise three children alone. Let them stay with the Everett family; they'll receive the best education and resources. It's the best arrangement for them!"

Joanna took a deep breath and looked calmly at Margaret. "Grandma, I'll educate my children well. You don't need to worry about their education."

Margaret's tone shifted from persuasion to insistence. "What must we do to make you agree to let the children acknowledge their father and become part of the Everett family?"

"If you want to see them, I can bring them anytime! But I won't change their last name to Everett."

Margaret's eyes hardened. Joanna met her gaze defiantly. These were her children. She nearly died giving birth to them. For four years, she'd sacrificed everything to raise them, enduring immense hardship. The Everett family had no right to take them away. She wouldn't let anyone.

Bruce's expression was grim. "Must you be so stubborn?"

"It's a matter of principle," Joanna retorted. She then addressed Margaret again. "Grandma, I don't plan to remarry and won't have more children. These three are all I have. I won't give up custody. Mr. Everett is young and has plenty of opportunities to have children. You said yourself many women would have his children. He's about to marry Roxanne; they'll have children soon. You don't need to worry about great-grandchildren."

Margaret, however, remained unmoved. Two adorable great-grandsons were precious to her. How could she give them up?

"It's different," Margaret insisted. "Any Everett descendant will be fully supported by our family!"

Tired of arguing, Joanna conceded slightly. "They can acknowledge the Everett family, but not change their last names. I'm their guardian, and they'll live with me. I don't want them to stay with the Everett family permanently."

Margaret declared solemnly, "Don't worry. The children will stay with me. I'll care for them personally. I promise to raise them well."

"Grandma, I'm sorry. I can't agree."

Bruce and Roxanne were about to be married. They would undoubtedly want their own children. It was better for the children to remain with their mother, who would care for them most. While the Everett family was wealthy, Roxanne and Ingrid might mistreat them. Hidden dangers were more threatening than obvious problems.

"Do you have to take them today?" Bruce asked.

"Yes."

"And if I refuse?" Margaret's displeasure was evident.

Joanna dropped the "Grandma," addressing her directly. "Margaret, I'm their guardian. If you insist on keeping them, I'll pursue legal action." She pleaded, "Please, don't take my children away. Anything else, I can concede, but not this."

Margaret's heart skipped a beat. Joanna was unlike other women. Most would do anything for the security the Everett family offered, but Joanna remained resolute.

"Name your price," Margaret offered. "How much to give up custody?"

Joanna was deeply offended. "My children aren't for sale."

Margaret tried again. "Joanna, you're young…"

Joanna cut her off. "Grandma, I'm done. My children are my life. Without them, my life is meaningless. I won't give them up to anyone."

Margaret's lips trembled with anger. Her weak heart seized; she clutched her chest and gasped for breath.

Bruce, furious, intervened. "Joanna, let's stop this. You should go home."

"I'm here to take my children."

Unaware of the adults' argument, Davian and Irvin spotted their mother upstairs.

Chapter 177

The boys excitedly ran downstairs.

"Mommy!"

Joanna's face lit up. "Davian! Irvin!" The boys rushed into her arms. "Mommy, we missed you! Are you taking us home?"

"Yes, I came to get you."

Margaret watched, furious. "Butler, take the boys back to their room!"

The bodyguards intervened, pulling the children away. "Mommy! Mommy!" cried the boys.

Joanna tried to retrieve them, but the bodyguards were too strong.

"Mrs. Everett, are you determined to keep my children?" Joanna demanded.

"Yes!" Margaret declared. "As long as I live, no one takes Everett descendants!"

"You must be reasonable!" Joanna pleaded.

Margaret sneered. "Reason only works with reasonable people. If you won't reason, there's no need for reason!"

Joanna was speechless.

"Butler, show the guest out!" Margaret ordered.

"If you insist, I'll call the police!" Joanna threatened.

Margaret scoffed. "Do whatever you want. You'll receive a lawyer's letter. I'll hire the best lawyer in Greyport. You'll lose custody and receive no compensation!"

The butler escorted Joanna.

Chapter 177

"You can't do this! I want my children!" Joanna's voice trembled, her eyes red with anger.

"Leave!" Bruce ordered, his tone unyielding.

"Bruce, you can't do this! You can't go back on your word!"

Joanna forcefully pulled away from the butler. "Don't touch me! I'll leave myself!"

"Then we'll meet in court!"

Joanna stormed out. Margaret was overcome with rage; her family doctor administered oxygen.

"Grandma, don't be angry!" Bruce soothed her.

"Bruce! Joanna is stubborn! I was wrong about her. We can't let anyone take our Everett descendants! Since she's ungrateful, there's no need to be nice!"

No one in Greyport had ever dared disrespect her so.

Bruce reluctantly agreed. "Yes, Grandma."

Joanna turned, hoping for one last glimpse of her children.

"Ms. Haynes, please leave quietly. Don't make a scene!"

"Hmph," Joanna scoffed, "The Everett family bullies me because of their power. I don't believe money can decide everything in a law-abiding society!"

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