Chapter 229

Joanna Haynes ate a few more bites until she was full. Her pregnancy had lessened her appetite. Seeing her stop eating, Bruce Everett asked with concern, "Why don't you eat more?"

"I'm already full," Joanna replied.

"Mommy, aren't you going to eat this cake?" Irvin Haynes asked, pointing at the cake.

Joanna forced herself to eat a small piece. "You guys can have the rest," she said, rubbing Irvin's head. "I'll bring it back for Lilia. She loves cake."

"Alright," Bruce said. "Remember to brush your teeth after dinner. Otherwise, you'll have to go to the dentist if you get cavities, and that would hurt."

"Got it, Mommy!" Irvin replied.

Joanna felt guilty. All she wanted was for Bruce to leave. "I'm a little tired. I think I'm going to sleep," she said.

Bruce, unsuspecting, replied, "Then rest well! I'll take the children back first."

"Alright," Joanna said.

"Davian, Irvin, let's go," Bruce said.

"Bye, Mommy!" The boys waved.

"Goodbye, darlings!" Joanna waved back.

Seeing Joanna showed no interest in him staying, Bruce left with the children, displeased. Her weakness and pregnancy made him hesitant to stay; he feared losing control.

After Bruce and the children left, Joanna sighed in relief and quickly took out her phone—a children's smartwatch with GPS and calling capabilities. She called Jaydon Grimm.

The call connected quickly. "Hello?" Jaydon answered.

"Hello, Jay, it's me," Joanna said.

Jaydon, excited, asked, "Joanna, are you alright? I tried calling you, but couldn't get through. Where are you?" He'd been worried for days.

"I've been at the Reagan No. 8 Residence. Bruce Everett restricted my freedom and confiscated my phone," Joanna explained.

Jaydon frowned. "Then what should we do? I'll call the police!"

Joanna stopped him. "Don't bother. It's useless."

"Damn Bruce Everett! What's he going to do to you?" Jaydon exclaimed.

"Jay, don't ask. Have you been to the Mossbourne factory lately?"

"No, I haven't. I've been looking for you."

"Then check on it tomorrow. I won't be able to get out of here for a while. Someone needs to manage things." She was anxious about the factory, built with her savings.

"I'll go tomorrow," Jaydon said.

"Thank you. I found a streamer to sell the goods; inventory's cleared. Check if the money's been transferred. Also, it's almost year-end, so help me organize the employees' annual leave."

"Alright, I understand."

Joanna continued explaining factory matters. Jaydon, now the factory's second-largest shareholder, needed to manage things in her absence.

"That's good. I can rest assured now that you're handling these," Joanna said. The Greyport company was covered, and even Bruce Everett could help if necessary. Her main concern was Mossbourne.

Joanna sighed in relief. Jaydon, however, was worried about her safety. "Then what are you going to do?" he asked.

Joanna replied, "I haven't thought of a good solution yet. If I leave now, Bruce Everett will go crazy!"

"Joanna, I'm so worried! I should call the police!" Jaydon said, distressed. He felt helpless against Bruce Everett.

"Don't worry about me. He won't do anything to me," Joanna reassured him.

A knock came on the bedroom door. "Jay, someone's coming. I'm hanging up!"

"Okay!"

Joanna hung up, fearing discovery. Another knock followed.

"Please come in!"

Ms. Chain entered. "Ms. Haynes, it's time for your medicine."

"Oh, okay," Joanna replied.

Ms. Chain provided the pregnancy medicine and vitamins, along with water. Joanna took them. She'd been quiet and cooperative, so the maids weren't as strict. Ms. Chain cleaned up and left, saying goodnight.

Joanna lay in bed, contemplating her situation. Bruce wanted her to stay until childbirth—a year away. She couldn't stay.

"No, I can't stay here! I have to get out!" she thought. But she couldn't leave rashly; Bruce would retaliate.

Meanwhile, Bruce returned to the Everett mansion with the boys. Irvin was chattering incessantly, his outgoing personality contrasting with Davian's. Irvin admired Bruce, unlike Davian.

"Davian, when did you give Mommy the phone? I didn't see you," Irvin blurted out.

"Shh!" Davian hissed, silencing him. Irvin covered his mouth. He'd been told not to reveal this secret to their father.

Bruce's heart sank. "My dear son, what phone were you talking about?" he asked.

Irvin panicked, denying it. Bruce, however, gently coaxed him. "It's not good for children to lie. Tell Daddy the truth."

Irvin's gaze wavered; he didn't want to betray his brother. Bruce's face darkened. "Hurry up and tell Daddy! If you lie, Daddy won't like you anymore!"

Irvin looked at Davian, who warned, "No, Irvin, you can't tell him!" Bruce threatened to send Irvin overseas if he didn't confess, preventing him from seeing his mother.

The boys panicked. Bruce pressed them, and Irvin finally confessed, "Mommy asked Davian to bring her a phone."

Bruce's eyes widened. "Did you bring it?" he asked Davian.

Davian denied it. Bruce's face turned cold. "Driver, turn around! Go back to Reagan No. 8 Residence!"

Irvin pleaded with Bruce not to blame Davian. Bruce, however, was furious with Joanna for using the children. He realized her request for porridge was a ploy to get him to leave.