Chapter 217
Joanna clung to the sink, heaving uncontrollably and nearly vomiting stomach acid. For the past two days, she’d experienced occasional nausea, dismissing it as indigestion. But today, the vomiting intensified.
"Oh my god, could I… be pregnant?"
Her heart sank, and she splashed cold water on her face. Lately, she’d felt sluggish and fatigued—symptoms that matched those of pregnancy. Since the night she’d had sex with Bruce, she’d worried about pregnancy, but she’d been taking birth control pills. "No. I need to go to the hospital," she resolved.
Regaining her composure, Joanna returned to the conference room.
"Miss Haynes, are you alright?" someone asked.
"Do you need us to take you to the hospital?" another inquired.
Joanna paused, her expression serious. "I'm sorry, I'm feeling unwell. Let's end the meeting for today."
"Alright! Since we're not making any progress, let's wrap it up," someone replied.
Joanna grabbed her bag and left. In her car, restlessness consumed her. She silently prayed it wasn’t true and hurried to the hospital.
Half an hour later, she arrived at a private maternity and child hospital. A nurse administered a pregnancy test and drew blood. The results came back quickly.
"Ms. Haynes, you're pregnant!" the nurse announced.
Joanna felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. How could this be happening? What should she do? "I remember taking birth control pills. Could there have been a mistake?"
"Contraceptive pills aren't foolproof. Based on this test, you are pregnant."
Joanna stared blankly at the doctor, struggling to compose herself. She didn't want another child with Bruce.
"The baby is only three weeks old. Should I prescribe some folic acid?"
"No, it's not necessary!" Joanna vehemently rejected the offer and left the hospital.
"What am I going to do? How did this happen?" she wondered.
Walking toward the parking lot in a daze, a sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up. She was forcefully dragged inside.
"Ah—What the hell do you think you're doing?" Joanna’s heart pounded with fear.
Bruce sat in the backseat, his expression icy. Seeing him, Joanna felt a slight sense of relief. "Bruce, what's going on?"
Bruce, holding a wine glass, remained silent. "What were you doing at the hospital?"
Infuriated, Joanna gritted her teeth. "Why is this your business?"
Bruce’s gaze fell on her bag. "Show me your medical report!"
Instinctively, Joanna shielded her bag. "Why should I?"
Frowning, Bruce snatched her bag and the test results.
"Give it to me!" Joanna lunged forward.
Bruce pinned her against the seat and examined the report. "Early Pregnancy" was clearly visible.
Bruce’s heart sank. Adopting a casual tone, he said, "So you're pregnant."
"It's none of your business!" Joanna seethed.
"Planning to secretly have my child again?" Bruce sneered.
Joanna retorted coldly, "Don't flatter yourself. Who said this child is yours?"
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "If it's not mine, then whose is it?"
Joanna rolled her eyes. "What's it to you? Stop the car! I want to get out!"
"I'll let you out when everything is clear," Bruce refuted.
"Where are you taking me?"
Bruce remained silent. Joanna’s demeanor softened. "Can I see the children?"
Bruce smirked coldly. "Not a chance! You won't see them until everything is settled!"
Joanna asked indignantly, "On what basis? I've been granted custody."
Bruce pursed his lips. "You'll only see them if I allow it."
Joanna’s eyes blazed. "What exactly do you want?"
"Not muchJust to witness your downfall!" Bruce said with a gloomy tone. He held a deep-seated hatred for her.
Joanna’s confidence wavered. "I'm truly sorry about Margaret! I hope you can forgive me"
Frustration overwhelmed Bruce. "Forgive you? You must be dreaming!"
Joanna realized reasoning was futile. "Pull over and let me out," she said to the driver.
The driver ignored her. Bruce remained silent.
"I'll say it again, let me out of this damn car!"
Bruce showed no reaction. Joanna attempted to open the car door.
Bruce grabbed her arm, pulling her into his embrace. "What do you think you're doing?"
"You won't let me out, I'll jump!"
Bruce furrowed his brows. "Joanna, you still have an inflated sense of self!"
"No more empty talk. I want out!" Joanna’s gaze was sharp.
Bruce felt a flicker of compromise. "Kody, stop the car!" he commanded.
Joanna stepped out onto the sidewalk.
"Damn!" Bruce cursed. He hated her, yet the pain in her eyes ached his heart.
Joanna hailed a taxi and headed home. Her phone buzzed—a call from Michael.
"Hey, Michael!"
Excitement filled Michael’s voice. "Miss Haynes! Great news! We've cleared our entire inventory!"
"Really? That fast?" Joanna was surprised.
"That's right! Brother Trumpet sold out the entire stock in just two live broadcasts! But now, I have to rush with deliveries!"
"Fantastic. Once we clear the inventory, everything will be smooth sailing," Joanna smiled.
Hope rekindled within her. The phone rang again—an international call from Jaydon.
"Hey, Jay!"
"Joann, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine! Jay, we've sold off all the inventory!"
"Really?"
"Yes! I realized the e-commerce industry is booming. We should pay more attention to this field!"
"I'll go back tomorrow!" Jaydon told her.
The text about Jaydon's father's actions to remove online scandals and the final "SEND GIFT" were removed as they are out of place and not grammatically integrated into the story.