Chapter 214

“I have to keep fighting the appeal. I won’t give up my children! They’re my flesh and blood, and I won’t let go…”

Joanna was engulfed in desperate sadness. Despite her morning medication, her depression persisted. Mr. Brycen’s face was filled with guilt after losing the lawsuit. Although his legal team was skilled, they were no match for Bruce’s.

“Miss Haynes, I am so sorry! I should have done better,” Mr. Brycen apologized.

Joanna trembled uncontrollably and grabbed his arm. “What are our chances of winning the appeal?”

Mr. Brycen paused, his sympathetic gaze fixed on her. “I recommend… seeking a private settlement.” He genuinely wanted to help her win, but he was up against the wealthiest man in Greyport. Furthermore, members of his team had been bribed. He couldn’t defeat Bruce’s formidable legal team alone. Continuing the appeal would only lead to more legal expenses.

After hearing Mr. Brycen’s analysis, Joanna’s vision darkened. She struggled to maintain her composure.

“Miss Haynes, please be careful! Above all, take care of your well-being.”

Joanna took a moment to regain her composure. This defeat was devastating. She remained immersed in profound sorrow. Nearby, a swarm of reporters waited. When she emerged from the courthouse, they pounced, like hungry wolves.

“Ms. Haynes! We heard that custody was awarded to Mr. Everett! Will you continue with the appeal?”

“Ms. Haynes! If the appeal is denied, will you still fight for custody?”

The reporters clamored, shoving their microphones toward her. Their predatory eyes fixed on her as if she were prey.

“I beg you, please stop! Let me be!” Joanna lost control, breaking down emotionally. She couldn’t bear being exploited as a spectacle and didn’t want to live under constant scrutiny and verbal attacks. Nicholas arrived in a car. “Miss Haynes, please get in!”

Mr. Brycen and Cora shielded Joanna from the cameras, and she climbed into the car, disheveled and feeling injured.

Upon returning home, Joanna surveyed her empty house, her heart hollow. She had lost the lawsuit, and her children were gone. Her emotional anchor had been shattered. Before, even when Davian and Irvin were taken, she still had Lilia. But now, with Lilia also gone, it was unbearable.

Soon, news of Joanna’s emotional breakdown spread like wildfire. Headlines screamed: “[One of Greyport’s top socialites became the city’s most notorious escort.]” “[Miss Haynes is mentally unstable, unleashing her fury at the media.]”

As Bruce witnessed Joanna’s breakdown on TV, he found no solace in his victory. Unable to bear it, he switched off the television. After all, Margaret had died because of Joanna, and he would never forgive her.

Roxanne watched Joanna’s pitiful state and reveled in it. “Haha, Joanna, you thought you were untouchable. Let’s see if you can survive this time!” she taunted. “I’m going to crush you completely! Don’t even dream of making a comeback!”

Since Margaret’s passing, the Everett mansion felt hollow, especially during dinner. Bruce sat at the dining table, lost in thought, swirling his red wine. Davian and Irvin cried incessantly, pleading to return home to their mother.

“You big meanie! Let us go back home!” they wailed.

Overwhelmed, Bruce snapped, “That’s enough! Stop!” The distress in his voice was palpable. Davian and Irvin, witnessing his reaction, fell silent.

Lilia, her hands trembling, gazed at Bruce timidly. “Daddy, I won’t cry. Please, don’t be angry, Daddy!” she pleaded. “Daddy, didn’t you promise to be with Mommy?”

Though young, Lilia’s frequent illnesses had made her unusually responsible and eager to please. Bruce’s heart ached at her words. He embraced his daughter.

“Be a good girl, Lilia. You and your brothers will live with Daddy from now on,” he reassured her.

With tear-filled eyes, Lilia summoned the courage to ask, “Daddy, don’t you love Mommy very much? Why can’t Mommy live with us? I want both Daddy and Mommy! Daddy, can you bring Mommy here too?”

Bruce felt a crushing weight on his heart. How could he not love Joanna? He had been willing to do anything to win her back, but he had changed. The pain of his grandmother’s death, caused by Joanna, left an unforgivable wound. Being with Joanna again was out of the question; it would be a total disrespect to his grandmother.

When Lilia saw Bruce wouldn’t change his mind, tears streamed down her face.

“Lilian, take the kids back to their room!” Bruce instructed a servant.

“Yes, Mr. Everett!” the servant replied.

“Daddy, no.” The children were forced to leave.

Roxanne seethed. “You little brats, I’ll deal with each of you in the future!” she cursed inwardly.

As the children were led away, Bruce’s expression grew grimmer.

“Bruce, please calm down. The kids are still young. They’ll understand when they’re older!” Roxanne persuaded.

Bruce’s face turned cold as he stood and walked out.

“Bruce, where are you going? It’s so late,” Roxanne asked anxiously.

“Just mind your own business!” he replied without looking back.

“Bruce…” Roxanne sounded hurt.

Bruce stopped at the door. In a frigid tone, he said, “Pack your things and move to Sherane Bay Villa for now!” Roxanne was taken aback. “Why should I do that?” Although Sherane Bay Villa was upscale, it lacked the prestige of the mansion.

Bruce replied coldly, “The children will be living here in the future. It’s better if you stay away from them!”

Roxanne forced a smile. “No need! I’ll live with the children to nurture our relationship! I like them, you know.”

“There’s no need for you to bond with the children!” Bruce said coldly and left without looking back. He wouldn’t allow Roxanne to live with his children.

After Bruce left, Roxanne’s face fell. Bruce’s attitude was growing colder. She feared she wouldn’t find much happiness in the future. Still, being married to Bruce was enough.

Roxanne ordered someone to help her pack. Moving to Sherane Bay Villa wasn’t so bad. There would still be plenty of opportunities to deal with those children in the future! She had just finished packing when the phone rang. It was Ingrid.

“Hey, Roxy!” Ingrid sounded excited.

“Mom, what’s going on?”

Laughing, Ingrid boasted, “Have you seen the news? Joanna has taken a serious blow this time! Thanks to Margaret, you’ve made an incredible comeback! Both Margaret and Joanna got what they deserved!”

“Mom, that’s enough!” Roxanne didn’t want to discuss Margaret’s death. She felt guilty.

However, Ingrid, unaware of the cause of Margaret’s death, continued, “Joanna really provoked Margaret. You don’t have to worry about her threatening your position anymore! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that she won’t be able to make a comeback!”

“Alright! If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up!” Roxanne ended the call.

Even after hanging up, Roxanne couldn’t shake her unease. Only Kensley knew she was responsible for Margaret’s death! Although Kensley hadn’t approached her yet, she knew he would. She had to marry Bruce as soon as possible, or she wouldn’t have enough money to buy his silence.

For three consecutive days, Joanna didn’t go to the company. The news of Bruce and Roxanne’s upcoming marriage spread like wildfire. Although Roxanne hadn’t formally joined the Everett family, she was pregnant and already had one foot in the door.

At Haynes Group, Mr. Roger and Mr. Paul urgently called for board meetings. Shaun and Derick were also invited. After all, Shaun was soon to be Bruce’s father-in-law, and Joanna had become a complete outcast.

SEND GIFT