Chapter 211

Hearing this, Ingrid sighed exasperatedly and muttered, "Goodness, what a disaster! The poor old man is so fragile; how can he handle all this stress?"

"Now what? This is a major catastrophe! What on earth should we do?"

"I've been saying it all along—Joanna is a walking curse. Anyone entangled with her is bound to be unlucky," Ingrid continued.

Bruce was already overwhelmed. Ingrid's words only fueled his frustration, pushing him closer to his breaking point.

"If there's nothing else, you all can go back now!"

Unable to contain himself, Shaun burst out, "How can we just leave it at that? She's your mother. We're close, aren't we? Who can possibly remain calm in the face of such a colossal mess? I hope Mrs. Everett pulls through this ordeal. If she doesn't, I'll definitely give that ungrateful daughter a piece of my mind!"

Shaun and Ingrid learned from Roxanne that Joanna had caused Margaret's illness. Consequently, Shaun blamed Joanna entirely.

Bruce's expression grew grim; his countenance turned cold and devoid of warmth.

Sensing the tension, Roxanne quickly intervened, "Dad, Mom, let's refrain from further discussion. Bruce is already upset."

Ingrid rolled her eyes. "Bruce, I'm not scolding you, but this is a painful lesson. Never provoke that jinx Joanna again!"

Bruce rolled his eyes in disgust, questioning her right to lecture him. Who did she think she was?

"Mom, enough! You and Dad should leave. There's not much you can do here," Roxanne said, giving a quick glance. Times had changed. Bruce had long stopped taking the Haynes family seriously; Ingrid asserting her authority would only infuriate him.

"Alright then! We'll leave. You stay with Bruce!"

"Got it!"

"Roxy, you're pregnant! Take care of yourself, don't overexert!"

"Yes, yes, I understand!"

Ingrid and Shaun continued their banter briefly. Seeing Bruce completely ignoring them, his expression worsening, they departed hastily.

After they left, Bruce went outside. Roxanne hurried after him. "Where are you going, Bruce?"

"I need to make a call," Bruce said, walking away.

A while later, outside the hospital, Bruce pulled out his phone. Beep beep beep. He dialed Joanna's number.

Joanna was enjoying a lavish seafood feast with her employees. Her phone rang; she saw Bruce's name and her heart skipped a beat. Initially, she didn't want to answer, but knowing Margaret was hospitalized because of her, she reluctantly picked up.

"Hey," she greeted reluctantly.

Bruce was silent.

In a chilly tone, Joanna prodded, "Come on, speak up! If you're not going to say anything, I'm hanging up!"

Bruce took a deep breath. "Where are you now?"

"I'm in Porash."

Bruce snorted. Margaret was seriously ill, and Joanna was at work. This enraged him.

After a few seconds, Joanna asked, "Um How is Mrs. Everett doing?"

"Because of you, she's in intensive care, and her condition is critical!"

Joanna furrowed her brow. Anger had led her to retort without thinking. Now she regretted it. Margaret was elderly and frail; she should have simply listened. Now that Margaret was hospitalized, Joanna felt unsettled. She didn't want things to turn out this way either.

Bruce sneered, "Well, are you happy now?"

Taking a deep breath, Joanna replied, "What is there to be happy about? Bruce, I never intended to disrespect your grandmother! I was in a terrible mood that day, and now I realize it was uncalled for! I'm truly sorry!"

Bruce's anger eased slightly. "How are you? You're seriously ill; why are you running around?"

"I'm fine, don't worry! I'll visit her tomorrow!"

Joanna felt guilty. Regardless of Margaret's insults, she was still her son's great-grandmother. She should apologize in person.

Bruce felt relieved by Joanna's apology.

At the staircase, Roxanne heard Bruce call Joanna. Her face contorted with anger. Joanna had nearly killed Margaret, yet Bruce showed no anger and even concern! Roxanne clenched her fist. "Joanna, you damn bitch, you've really outdone yourself! You managed to make Bruce forgive you! Bruce, I will never let you be with Joanna"

Bruce was still on the phone. Roxanne pretended normalcy and waited outside the ward.

After the call, Bruce ran into the doctor. "How's my grandma doing?"

"The brain fluid buildup isn't too severe. She should wake up within a week!"

Relief washed over Bruce. "Really? Please take good care of her!"

"We'll do everything we can. If the fluid is absorbed, she'll wake up. Don't worry too much," the doctor added.

"That's a relief!" Bruce sighed.

Roxanne seethed. She'd expected Bruce to hate Joanna! Margaret had survived again! If she fully recovered, Bruce and Joanna would likely reunite. That's unfair! This old woman is incredibly fortunate. Despite being in the ICU, she managed to pull through, Roxanne thought, glaring at Margaret's bed. Roxanne longed to rip out Margaret's ventilator. Though she despised Margaret, Roxanne feigned joy. "That's fantastic! If she wakes up, it'll be better than anything!" "God, I'm willing to sacrifice ten years of my life for her awakening!"

Bruce believed Roxanne's sincerity. His heart softened.

(The final promotional sentence has been removed as it's not part of the story itself.)