Chapter 213

Bruce and Roxanne sobbed. Joanna arrived at the worst possible moment. Seeing their tears, she was alarmed. "What's going on?"

Bruce's eyes blazed at Joanna, fierce and crimson. "My grandmother is dead! Are you satisfied now?" Joanna, her voice trembling, cursed.

The news struck Joanna like a thunderbolt. The flowers she carried slipped from her grasp.

Roxanne, sobbing, accused, "You killed her! You angered her so much she had to be hospitalized! Now that she's gone, how dare you show up? You murderer! Didn't you kill her? Are you happy now?"

"This this can't be!" Joanna gasped. Bruce had told her Margaret was improving. How could she be dead?

"Bruce, is this true?" Joanna asked incredulously.

Bruce clenched his fists. "Get out! Get out! I never want to see you again!"

"Bruce!" Joanna looked up.

With a resounding slap, Bruce struck Joanna's face. She stumbled, falling hard. The blow was brutal, leaving her dazed and her face swelling.

"From this moment on, I never want to see you again!"

"Bruce!" Joanna Haynes looked up, trying to regain her composure.

Bruce growled, "Get out of here! Before I lose it!"

Joanna covered her throbbing cheek and struggled to rise. "My condolences," she said, then left in a daze. Everything felt like a nightmare.

After Joanna left, Bruce punched the wall. Even though he loved Joanna, he couldn't forgive her. His grandmother had been the dearest person to him.

"Grandma, rest in peace! I won't let your death go unanswered! Joanna Haynes, I won't let you get away with this!" Bruce gritted his teeth.

Roxanne felt a sense of satisfaction. "Joanna, let's see if you survive this time! Even if you do, you'll never reconcile with Bruce," she thought. Her initial panic subsided. The risk had been worth it.

Soon, Margaret's funeral was underway. The Everett family, Greyport's wealthiest, spared no expense. Rain drizzled.

Bruce, in solemn black attire, maintained a chilling expression. Roxanne, in mourning clothes, stood beside him.

Midway through the funeral, Joanna arrived uninvited.

"Ms. Joanna is here! Ms. Joanna is here!"

Joanna sought shelter under a black umbrella, but her determination to say goodbye to Margaret remained unwavering.

Bruce's face turned cold. "Get lost! Get out of here!"

Joanna bowed her head. "Bruce, please allow me to accompany Margaret on her final journey!" Bruce struck Joanna again; her lip split, drawing blood. Consumed by resentment, he raised his foot to strike her repeatedly, but seeing the blood and her weariness, he stopped. "Get out of here! Joanna Haynes, I won't let you escape. I'll make sure you suffer!"

Joanna stood silently in the rain, shedding tears.

"Take her away! Don't let her stay here a second longer!"

Several bodyguards forcibly removed her from the cemetery. Outside, reporters swarmed her.

"Joanna, is it true Margaret's death is your fault?" "Was she driven to her demise because of you?" "Is Bruce furious? Will you maintain a friendship?" "Did you attend out of guilt?"

The reporters' questions intensified. Joanna felt bewildered and weak. She had become Greyport's talk. A new wave of attention crashed over her.

"Please, leave me alone!" Joanna pleaded, losing consciousness. Coco and others rushed her to the hospital.

A week passed. Margaret's funeral was over.

"Mr. Everett, will we fight for custody of the children?"

"Of course! I will honor Grandma's wishes and fight for full custody, no matter the cost!"

"Understood!" said the lawyer.

Bruce's face turned grim. "I want full custody. Not a single child will be left with her!"

"Understood!"

The court hearing arrived. Bruce had a team of top international lawyers. He would show no mercy. The children were Joanna's greatest love. He intended to shatter her emotionally.

At the hearing, Bruce, in a black suit, looked cold. Joanna followed, solemn. Joanna lost completely; Bruce was granted full custody.

Stepping out, Joanna felt dizzy and disoriented. The children were her emotional pillars. Without them, she felt lost. Bruce had taken everything.

Bruce sneered, "Kids, say goodbye to your mother!" Davian and Irvin cried, "Mommy, Mommy"

"Davian, Irvin!" Joanna yearned to chase them.

"Escort my kids to the car!" Bruce instructed.

"Bruce Everett!"

"Mommy, Mommy!" the children sobbed.

"You can't do this!" Joanna lunged at Bruce. "Give them back!"

Bruce shoved her to the ground. "Joanna, this is just the beginning. I'm going to take everything away from you!"

"I won't let you have the children. I'll appeal!"

"Abandon the appeal. Save some money for your living!" Bruce taunted. He knew he would win.

"Bruce, Lilia is sick. You can't care for her. Leave her to me!"

"Don't even think about it! From now on, the kids have no ties to you!"

"No, you can't be so heartless!" Joanna lunged forward. The children meant everything to her. Bruce had seized her vulnerability.

"Daddy!"

"Sweetie, you'll live with Daddy. Daddy will find you a new mommy!"

"No, I don't want to! I only want Mommy!"

"Get in the car!"

Bruce entered the car, and it departed. Joanna suffered a resounding defeat. Even if she appealed, she wouldn't win.

"Miss Haynes, you should go home. You can plan later."

Joanna felt dizzy and disoriented.

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