Chapter 190

Joanna was being treated in the emergency room. Bruce stood outside, his face cold. The reporters had finally found a story. Within an hour, all platforms were competing to publish the news, using Joanna's unconscious photo as a sensationalized cover image. Various headlines flooded the internet, including:

• "Mr. Grimm cheated on his fiancée, causing her to faint from grief."
• "Joanna's path to a wealthy family is bumpy; ultimately, she is rejected."
• "The Haynes Group's president dies for love; she collapses in anger."
• "Mr. Everett prioritizes his ex-wife, neglecting his girlfriend to save the damsel in distress."

Bruce, the wealthiest man in Greyport, was spared vicious rumors; instead, his popularity fueled the speculation. However, seeing the news enraged him.

"Andy, get someone to suppress this nonsense!" "Right away, Mr. Everett!"

Unfortunately, the news spread too quickly. The sheer number of bloggers and netizens made suppression impossible. Bruce could only wait for the frenzy to subside.

Meanwhile, Joanna lay in her hospital ward. Around eight o'clock that evening, she awoke from her coma. Bruce had been sitting vigil by her bedside. Joanna, pale and with a bandage on her forehead, opened her eyes. She saw Bruce.

"Bruce, why are you here?" she asked, her head swimming. She tried to sit up, but pain forced her back down. An IV needle in her arm throbbed. She realized she was back in the hospital.

"Oh no, why am I in the hospital? Where's my phone?"

She remembered the Mossbourne factory. She’d told Michael she was going that afternoon. Her absence would likely lead the deceased's family to believe she was avoiding responsibility. In business, integrity was paramount. Her absence would damage employee trust.

"Where's my phone?" she asked anxiously.

Bruce remained coldly silent. Joanna, exasperated by his silence, lifted the blanket to search for her phone.

"Lie down," Bruce commanded.

Joanna frowned. "Where's my phone? I have something very important to do!"

Bruce glared. "The most important thing is your recovery. Everything else is trivial."

Joanna was speechless. "Bruce, leave me alone! Move aside. I have important business!"

Seeing her determination, Bruce produced her phone, then pocketed it again.

"Your phone's here. I'll keep it until you're discharged."

"Lunatic! You have no right to keep my phone! Give it back!" She explained that phones were essential; without one, she'd be cut off from the world, driving her mad with anxiety. Michael had called and texted repeatedly.

Bruce already knew about the Mossbourne factory incident and other events that occurred during Joanna's unconsciousness. Jaydon had also called repeatedly, but Joanna, unconscious, missed his calls. He had already flown abroad to lay low and had called again after landing, intending to explain his departure.

"I'll return it when you recover."

"Are you trying to see if Jaydon called?" Bruce retorted jealously. Joanna's anger flared. "Give me the phone!" she insisted, desperate to check messages and the situation at Mossbourne. The company was overwhelmed with urgent calls; missed calls represented significant losses.

Bruce frowned. "I told you to rest! You'll get it when you recover." He added that her health was extremely poor: severe malnutrition, anemia, and depression, likely from overwork. The doctor warned she could die of overwork within two years if she continued. He was determined to supervise her recovery.

"I know my health! Give me the phone!" Joanna's eyes were bloodshot. She yanked out her IV needle, then lunged for her phone.

Bruce exploded with anger. "Joanna, do you care about yourself? Do you want to die?"

Blood gushed from her arm as she ignored the bleeding.

"Hurry—"

"Don't even think about it!" Bruce roared, pressing on her wound. "You're bleeding! You could die if you strain yourself like this!"

Joanna was furious. "Whether I live or die is none of your business!"

Bruce's eyes darkened. "What about the children? Do you want them to lose their mother, or should I find them a stepmother?"

Joanna stopped struggling. The thought of her children calmed her.

Bruce immediately paged the doctor, who arrived within a minute.

"Mr. Everett, what's wrong?"

"She removed her IV. Put a new one in!"

The doctor examined her. "Ms. Haynes, your blood pressure is dangerously low. You could faint at any moment! You must rest. You need continuous IV fluids. Otherwise, your condition will worsen."

Bruce glared at Joanna. "Did you hear that? Rest!"

Joanna rolled her eyes. "Leave me alone! I know my health…" She couldn't relax with the factory crisis and Lilia at home.

"Joanna, I'll say this once more: lie down!"

Joanna glared. Bruce's eyes were fierce. After a few seconds, she weakly averted her gaze. She knew she couldn't win against him.

The doctor inserted a new IV. "Ms. Haynes, you must rest. Don't remove it again! You could damage brain nerves and fall into a coma!"

Bruce added, "Did you hear that?!"

Joanna silently turned away and closed her eyes. She was exhausted, the mental and physical strain immense, and Jaydon's absence exacerbated her helplessness.

The doctor and nurse left after further instructions. Bruce's demeanor softened, shedding his domineering front.

"Joanna, you need to rest."

"Bruce, stop being hypocritical!"

"Are you satisfied? Are you happy now?"

Bruce angrily retorted, "No, I'm not." His sharp tongue always seemed to betray him.

Joanna's eyes filled with tears. How had she offended him? Why did he torment her? All she felt was anger and helplessness.

Half an hour passed in silence. Then, twenty minutes later, Joanna sat up again, her bladder full after four IV bags.

Bruce gently pushed her back. "Don't move. Where are you going?"

"Why do you care?"

"Lie down. You're weak. What are you doing?"

"I need to use the restroom!"

Bruce reluctantly relented. "Why didn't you say so? Let me help you."

"No need. I can walk."

Bruce scooped her up. "Hey, let me go! I can walk!" She struggled against his strong hold, but to no avail.