Chapter 199

Joanna took a simple bath before taking Cora, Michael, and Nicholas (his other assistant) directly to Greene Town. Greene Town was approximately several kilometers from Porash—a two-hour drive.

Meanwhile, Bruce only learned about Rosalie's situation the following day. His phone was off, and Andy only reported Joanna's hospital discharge the next morning.

"What are you talking about? Joanna left the hospital?"

"Yes, Mr. Everett! Miss Haynes left yesterday…"

Before Andy finished, Bruce exploded. "Didn't I tell you to watch over her?"

Seeing Bruce's anger, Andy paled, shrinking his neck. "Mr. Everett, you know how stubborn Miss Haynes is! I couldn't stop her—I wouldn't dare!"

"Useless!" Bruce cursed.

The doctor had specifically instructed that Joanna's health was very poor and required at least a week's hospitalization. Her early discharge put her at risk. The more Bruce thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He immediately called her.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Joanna's phone rang. She was leaning against the backseat with her eyes closed when her phone vibrated in her bag. Seeing Bruce's call, she immediately hung up.

She didn't want to answer. This damn bastard. Nothing good would come from him being around!

"Damned woman! She's ignoring me again!" Bruce gritted his teeth, frustrated that she wouldn't appreciate his concern, guarding herself against him like a thief. "Prepare the car. Go to the Haynes Group immediately!"

"Mr. Everett, she's not in Greyport!"

"Where is she?"

"I called Luna this morning. She said Miss Haynes went to Mossbourne."

"Track her phone's location and send it to me immediately."

"Yes!"

Andy immediately activated the tracker. Ten minutes later, he sent Joanna's location to Bruce.

"Mr. Everett, Miss Haynes's phone is in Greene Town."

Bruce frowned. "Why Greene Town?"

"I don't know!"

"Let's call Luna."

"Alright!"

Andy called Luna, but Joanna hadn't told anyone her reason for going to Greene Town, so Luna was also unaware.

"Mr. Everett, I just asked Luna. She doesn't know either. Miss Haynes didn't tell anyone she was going to Greene Town!"

"Why Greene Town?" Bruce frowned deeper. He sighed. "Forget it. I'll go see her."

"Give me the keys!"

Andy, guessing Bruce was going to find Joanna, reminded him, "Mr. Everett, Mr. Lurk returns from Europe this afternoon! We missed our appointment last time. Aren't you meeting him?"

Bruce remembered his business meeting. He'd cancelled with Mr. Lurk last week; another cancellation would be inappropriate. He decided to handle company matters first.

It was ten in the evening when Joanna, Cora, and the others arrived in Greene Town at Trumpet Media's office. Standing before the building, Michael introduced, "Miss Haynes, this is Brother Trumpet's live broadcast company!"

Joanna looked up at the impressive sign. It didn't look like a typical internet celebrity company. "Let's go in!"

"Okay!"

Joanna and Cora led the way, followed by Michael and Nicholas. They reached the reception desk.

"Hello, do you have an appointment?"

"No. We want to discuss a collaboration."

"To discuss a collaboration, see Mr. Zacky. However, he's in a meeting; he might be free this afternoon."

Cora politely asked, "Can we see Brother Trumpet?"

"I'm sorry. Appointments are required to meet the president."

"Then, we'll see Mr. Zacky this afternoon."

"I'll make an appointment for you."

"Alright!"

Cora and Michael exchanged glances. Miss Haynes was incredibly hardworking—unnecessarily humble in seeking a collaboration with an internet celebrity. She could easily have Mr. Everett handle everything, but she preferred to struggle rather than accept his help.

By two in the afternoon, they'd waited hours.

"Hello, is Mr. Zacky finished?"

"Mr. Zacky had something come up and left."

Joanna was speechless. Michael was furious. "Didn't you make an appointment? Why is your company so unreliable?"

The receptionist's attitude turned arrogant. "Mr. Zacky had to leave. If you want to see him, make an appointment for tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow? We came a long way!"

Joanna stopped Michael, smiling at the receptionist. "Can you call him for us?"

"I'm sorry. We have procedures. If you don't want to wait, leave!" The receptionist sat down, ignoring them.

"Miss Haynes, let's go."

"Alright!"

Their meeting failed. They left dejectedly. Michael and Nicholas were furious. The Haynes Group, despite its decline, should have been treated with respect.

After they left, the receptionists gossiped:

"Hey, didn't that woman look like Miss Haynes?"

"That Miss Haynes?"

"The former Greyport socialite, the ex-wife of Greyport's richest man?"

"It looks like her!"

"No way! Impossible!"

"She's the Haynes Group director. Why is she here to collaborate with Brother Trumpet?"

"Exactly! Why would a top-tier company do this?"

"Maybe it's true!"

"Who cares? It's just gossip!"

Joanna and her colleagues returned to the car, tired and hungry after a fruitless half-day.

"Miss Haynes, what now? Are we going back?"

"Let's eat. We'll figure something out later."

"Okay!"

Over lunch, Michael tried to console her. Nicholas agreed, criticizing Brother Trumpet's arrogance.

Joanna stirred her coffee. "It seems impossible to see Brother Trumpet through Mr. Zacky. We need another approach—to meet him in person."

"Right! Usually, it's easier to find the boss directly. I contacted their manager; when he heard it was the Haynes Group, he hung up! It's like our company is beneath them."

Despite the Haynes Group's decline, it was still a Greyport company. Joanna wanted to expand into the Mossbourne market, having invested heavily there. Cora and Michael continued to complain, but Joanna remained undeterred. "Where else can we meet Brother Trumpet?"

Nicholas, a fan of Brother Trumpet, offered a suggestion: "Miss Haynes, I heard Brother Trumpet works out daily at a gym. We could wait for him in the gym's parking lot!"

Joanna's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea! Let's try it!"

[The promotional text at the end has been removed as requested.]