Chapter 223

After a while, Bruce softened his tone and changed the subject. "Name your conditions! What must I do for you to carry this child to term?" He added, "I, Bruce, am not one to shirk responsibility. Since you're pregnant with my child, I won't evade my obligations!"

Joanna responded helplessly, "You don't have to shoulder the burden!" Her life was shattered, but she no longer cared. Joanna was never one for drama. She wouldn't make a fuss, cry, or beg for responsibility.

Bruce's expression shifted. "No, you may be heartless towards the child, but I can't be!"

Anger filled Joanna as she sneered. "Bruce, you already have enough children. Why are you so determined to have another with me? I've already given birth to three of your children. And now Roxanne is pregnant with twins! You should focus your energy and attention on her!"

Bruce's lips twitched, his face grimmer still. Though Roxanne was pregnant, he had never touched her. Her pregnancy was the result of deception, which disgusted him. But Roxanne clung to him relentlessly, impossible to shake off. He couldn't get rid of her.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore," he said. "She is who she is, and you are who you are. Don't mix the two of you up!"

Joanna stared at him. "Let me think about it."

"Alright," he said. "Let me know when you've decided. But you can't make a decision that harms the child without consulting me. Take good care of yourself."

"I understand," Joanna replied. "Okay."

"Lilian," Bruce instructed, "make sure to serve the freshest fruits every day!"

"Sure thing, Mr. Everett!" Lilian responded.

Chapter 223

For three consecutive days, Bruce visited Joanna daily to keep her company. To allow her to rest, he brought their three children each day. They spent an hour together before he returned the children to the Everett mansion. Even though it was only an hour, it brought Joanna great comfort. She had been busy with work and hadn't spent quality time with her children in a long time. Roxanne remained at Sherane Bay Villa for many days, but Bruce didn't visit her once.

That day, Roxanne felt compelled to go to the Everett mansion. Knowing the children were there, she assumed Bruce would visit them after work.

"Ms. Haynes," a servant greeted her.

"Has Bruce finished work yet?" Roxanne asked.

"Yes," the servant replied.

"Oh, and the children? I brought them some toys!" Roxanne said. (Despite secretly wanting to harm Joanna's children, Roxanne maintained a pretense.)

The servant replied truthfully, "Mr. Everett took them away."

"Where?" Roxanne asked.

"I don't know," the servant responded.

Roxanne felt a sudden sense of foreboding. "Fantine, come here. I need to ask you something," she called to another servant.

Fantine discreetly entered the room. Once inside, Roxanne asked, "What has Bruce been up to lately?" Fantine was the first servant Roxanne had bribed for information.

"Ms. Haynes, don't worry. Focus on your pregnancy," Fantine replied.

"Tell me the truth!" Roxanne insisted.

Fantine hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Ms. Haynes, I've heard some troubling news."

"What?" Roxanne demanded.

"I heard Ms. Joanna hasn't been seen at the company for a few days."

"What does that have to do with me?" Roxanne asked.

"I heard Mr. Everett took her to Reagan No. 8 Residence!" Fantine revealed.

Roxanne's eyes widened. "What?"

"I also heard she seems to be pregnant, and Mr. Everett has hired several servants to care for her," Fantine added.

The news was devastating. Roxanne had gone to extreme lengths to separate them, even resorting to murder (Margaret's death). Now, they were back together.

"What did you say? That wicked Joanna is pregnant!" Roxanne exclaimed.

"It appears so. I heard it from the servants there," Fantine confirmed.

Roxanne's face was contorted with rage. "Joanna Haynes, you damn bitch! You're unbelievably fortunate! The heavens smile upon you, bestowing yet another child! I've schemed and toiled relentlessly, only to be left empty-handed!"

It was clear why Bruce had been absent. He was with Joanna.

"Joanna Haynes, Bruce Everett, I won't let you have your way!" Roxanne stormed out of the Everett mansion, vowing revenge.

As soon as she was in her car, her phone rang. Beep beep beep!

She sighed, answering, "Hello, who is it?"

"Ms. Haynes, you've got a lot on your mind and tend to forget things," a voice said.

"You are" Roxanne began.

"It's Kensley Leach," the caller replied.

Roxanne gasped, pulling the car over and stepping out onto a nearby lawn.

"Oh, I-I know," she said, recognizing the voice.

"Well, it's good that you know," Kensley said gloomily. "It's been peaceful for so many days. Miss Roxanne, shouldn't you keep your promise?"

Chapter 223

Roxanne took a deep breath. "Tell me what you want."

"Considering Margaret's worth, is 200 million dollars too much?" Kensley asked.

Roxanne was shocked. "Two hundred million dollars? Why don't you just rob a bank? That's excessive!"

"Miss Roxanne, you're about to become Mrs. Everett! Asking for anything less wouldn't reflect your noble status," Kensley said, his voice low. "According to the Everett family's wealth, 200 million dollars is a drop in the ocean!"

Roxanne seethed. "I haven't married into the family yet! And even if I do, Bruce won't simply hand me 200 million dollars!"

"Then how much can you give?" Kensley asked.

"I don't have that kind of money now. I can give you a portion now, and the rest later. Would that work?"

Kensley paused. "How much can you offer right now?"

"One million dollars," Roxanne said.

Kensley sneered. "Fine, I was joking. Give me 20 million dollars, and I'll let this matter go."

Roxanne sighed. "I really can't come up with 20 million right now. I know one million won't satisfy you, but I genuinely don't have that much money at the moment." She promised to give him the rest after marrying into the family.

"Then you have to provide me with a written agreement," Kensley demanded.

"That's not possible. Trust me, once I marry into the family, I'll definitely give you the 20 million dollars!"

"Alright then! Transfer the one million dollars to me first," Kensley agreed. "Give me your bank account."

After the call, Roxanne felt disoriented. Despite her wealth, she couldn't produce 20 million dollars instantly. She decided to call her mother, Ingrid.

"Hey, Roxy!" Ingrid answered.

Overwhelmed, Roxanne cried, "Mom"

"What's wrong?" Ingrid asked, concerned.

Roxanne sobbed, "Mom, I, I think I'm in trouble"

Ingrid was terrified. "Don't cry. What happened?"

"Mom, where are you? I'll come to you!"

"I'm at home!"

Roxanne rushed home. Ingrid was anxious. "What's the matter? Did Mr. Everett cause you trouble again?"

"No, it's not that!"

"Then what is it?"

Roxanne hesitated, deciding not to burden her mother. "Mom, that awful Joanna is pregnant!"

"What did you say? Say it again?"

"Joanna, that wretched woman, is pregnant, with Bruce's child!"

Ingrid's face froze. "What?" Anger blazed in her eyes. "Is this really happening?"

"It's true. Bruce has already taken her back to Reagan No. 8 Residence for a safe pregnancy! I've worked so hard, and she effortlessly turns the tables! Life is incredibly unfair. Life has been far too kind to her!"

"Don't cry," Ingrid said. "Shedding tears won't help!"

The final sentence about finding novels online has been removed as it is not part of the original text.