Chapter 194

Joanna didn't want to listen. "Dad, if you're accusing me, believe what you want! I'm not explaining!"

Shaun paused, his tone softening. "Joanna, listen to Daddy. Keep your distance from Mr. Everett. Roxy is pregnant. Don't make her a single mother like you. People are talking about you, and about our family."

Joanna closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Her heart ached unbearably.

Ingrid's voice erupted from the other end of the call. "Why are you talking to her? Joanna, you should be dead! You only hurt others. You're a bitch, just like your mother! All you do is seduce men…"

Bruce snatched the phone. "Hello, this is Bruce. I was the one pursuing Joanna; she never sought me out. Don't slander her!"

Ingrid stopped cursing but sneered. "Hmph, it's you, Bruce! Roxy's pregnant, and you're with Joanna? A fine fiancé, aren't you?"

Bruce retorted, "Don't be sarcastic. My relationship with Roxanne ended long ago. If she hadn't tried to kill herself, we'd have nothing to do with each other!"

Ingrid's tone softened. "Mr. Everett, are you being unreasonable? She's been with you for six years, and she's pregnant with your child. You're responsible for mother and child!" Beep!

Bruce hung up angrily. He'd endured enough. Roxanne and her mother were intolerable.

Joanna looked at Bruce, exhausted and numb. "Bruce, please stay away. I can't stand being scolded by everyone!"

Hysterical, Joanna shouted, then collapsed, hitting her head on the bed. "Joanna!" Bruce rushed to her side, checking her head. It was his fault. Six years of criticism and depression had seriously injured her. She couldn't cope; she wished he'd never entered her life.

Bruce cradled Joanna. "Joanna, I'm sorry! I love you! Let's start over."

Joanna sneered. Start over? It was too late. She wanted no more entanglement.

"Don't apologize. Just leave me alone."

Bruce was saddened. "Be stronger. Ignore them."

"I am strong! What more do you want?" She was right. Four years had passed since their last meeting; she'd never sought him out. She was strong, maybe too strong.

Bruce was speechless. Joanna ran her fingers through her hair, her mind a mess. She wanted peace, to care for her child, and manage her grandfather's business, but her life had been ruined. She needed to find the evidence from six years ago—to prove she never seduced Bruce. She'd been framed.

She remembered Davian playing a video at Bruce and Roxanne's engagement party—a video showing her being taken unconscious to Bruce's room six years prior. She needed to find that person and expose them.

Joanna's eyes hardened. Beep! Beep! Beep! Bruce's phone rang.

"Hello, butler?"

"Mr. Everett, Mrs. Margaret wants you home."

Bruce frowned. "What's wrong?"

"She just wants you home."

"If it's nothing important, I'll hang up." He hung up.

Margaret raged. "That brat hung up! I'll go get him myself."

Roxanne was shocked. "Mrs. Margaret, don't!"

"Butler, the car!"

Half an hour later, Bruce was comforting Joanna. Andy burst in. "Mr. Everett, Mrs. Margaret and Ms. Roxanne are here!"

The door opened. The butler pushed in Margaret, followed by Roxanne.

"Grandma, why are you here?"

Margaret snorted. "To see which vixen bewitched you!"

Roxanne quickly explained, "Bruce, your grandma's worried."

Margaret glared at Joanna. "Maybe you won't be so filial when I'm sick!"

Joanna sat up. "Margaret, you came at the right time. I was looking for you! What about Davian and Irvin?"

Margaret sneered. "They're Everetts."

Joanna was enraged. "I'm their guardian!"

"Not for long."

"Stop arguing, Grandma. I'll send you back."

"Bruce, make it clear to Roxy and Joanna! Make it clear now!"

Bruce frowned. "Grandma, let's talk at home."

"No. Joanna, you're divorced. Roxy is Bruce's girlfriend, your sister. It's not good for anyone if you're close to Bruce. Part on good terms."

Joanna scoffed. "Mrs. Margaret, you're the one who doesn't understand! I never wanted to bother Mr. Everett!"

Margaret didn't believe her. "Explaining is hiding the truth."

"Fine! Give me back the children. I'll cut ties with Mr. Everett."

"Impossible. Everetts don't wander outside. The trial's next week. See you in court."

Joanna's eyes burned with anger. Margaret didn't hate Joanna, but the online rumors were outrageous, and she wanted her grandson to marry Roxanne. She needed to take a firm stance, to prevent Bruce from wavering.

"Bruce, make it clear!"

"Grandma, from the beginning, I loved Joanna. My relationship with Roxanne is a misunderstanding. If you insist I marry her, I will, but there's no love."

Margaret and Roxanne were shocked. Margaret looked at her grandson in disbelief. Roxanne was stunned. Even with Margaret's support, it hadn't worked.

"Do you know what you're saying? Did your sister cast a spell on you?"