Chapter 234

Bruce approached Joanna as soon as he saw she was awake. In a rare gentle voice, he said, "Joanna, you're awake."

Joanna rolled her eyes. The silhouette before her gradually sharpened into focus, revealing Bruce.

"Doctor, please come in!"

The doctor hurried to the ward. After examining Joanna, he said calmly, "Ms. Haynes is doing well now that she's awake. You must be careful this month. Avoid unnecessary exertion. Eat nutritious meals and focus on caring for the baby."

Bruce asked nervously, "Any additional advice?"

"Nothing else, except that the patient's mental state isn't good. She needs to maintain a positive mood and avoid agitation."

"Alright, I understand, doctor."

After offering a few more suggestions, the doctor left. Bruce held Joanna's hand tightly, looking at her with worry and nervousness. "Joanna, what happened? How did you fall down the stairs?" Joanna had no memory of the fall and, having just woken up, didn't want to talk.

"Where are we?"

"The hospital, of course."

"Why am I in the hospital?" Joanna asked weakly. She remembered being on the second floor, about to go to the backyard, but nothing after that.

Bruce's head ached. He said softly, "You fell down the stairs. Don't you remember?"

Joanna tried to recall, but couldn't. Her hand hurt from his grip, and she subconsciously pulled away, turning her face to the other side of the bed. She didn't want to interact with him; his presence frustrated her. Bruce paused, the gentleness vanishing from his face as he saw her cold resistance. This woman was giving him a headache. Did she fall on purpose? Did she fall down the stairs to try to abort the baby?

His expression darkened as he considered this possibility. "Joanna, what were you trying to do? Look at me!" He turned her face toward him.

Joanna looked at him with disgust. "I didn't try to do anything! What are you trying to do?"

Bruce sneered, raising an eyebrow. "Did you fall on purpose?"

Joanna's eyes widened in surprise and anger. Was she crazy enough to intentionally fall down the stairs? However, weak and uncomfortable, she didn't want to argue.

Seeing her silence, Bruce became convinced of his suspicion. "Joanna, you're ruthless! You went to great lengths to abort the child!" He looked at her coldly and menacingly.

Joanna shifted her gaze, trying to ignore him. "I don't want to talk to you. Say whatever you want."

Turning her head away again only fueled his anger. "What do you want me to do, Joanna?"

"Bruce, I'm really tired. I don't want to argue with you! Can you just let me go? Pretend we never knew each other!" she said angrily, finally meeting his gaze.

"Impossible!" Bruce refused decisively. "You're rich and powerful. There are plenty of women who would be with you. Why force me like this?"

"Joanna, let me tell you. I won't let you go in this lifetime! Don't even think about getting rid of me!" Joanna took a deep breath and closed her eyes, refusing to argue further. His domineering nature seemed like a sign of mental illness.

After a moment, Bruce spoke again, his tone gentler. "Have the child. I'll give you your freedom afterward." Joanna pondered this. If it meant getting rid of him, she'd have the baby.

Three days later, it was December 23rd, Christmas Eve's eve, a day for family reunions. Joanna was alone in the cold, quiet ward, missing her children.

At Sherane Bay Villa, Roxanne hadn't seen Bruce for days and couldn't reach him by phone. She called Andy.

"Hello, Andy. Is Bruce busy these days?"

"No, ma'am, he isn't."

"Tell me the truth!"

"Mr. Everett is working and going home as usual. If you need anything, please call Mr. Everett." Andy wouldn't reveal Bruce's location. Roxanne hung up angrily. She hadn't seen him for days, but she spotted his car at the hospital while picking up her prenatal report. She discovered Joanna's hospitalization and saw Bruce visiting her daily. Enraged, she immediately sought out Kensley.

"Kensley!"

"Yes, Ms. Haynes?"

Roxanne sneered, "Joanna's here, isn't she?"

"Yes."

Roxanne's face tightened. "I need a favor."

"Tell me."

"I want you to find a way to kill her child."

Kensley smiled bitterly. "Impossible. Mr. Everett is watching her every day."

"You must have a way. I believe in you."

"Ms. Haynes, we haven't settled your debt from last time! You're asking for my help again. Why should I?"

Roxanne smiled calmly. “Because we're in the same boat! If Margaret's incident is exposed, it won't be good for anyone! Only by cooperating with me can we all have a good life! Once I marry into the Everett family, you'll get your money.”

Kensley was silent. "Let me think about it." He was terrified after Margaret's incident and wouldn't risk another murder.

Back in the ward:

"Joanna, have some chicken soup."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Everett's men are guarding the door. I can only stay a short while." Miranda had made chicken soup for Joanna. Bruce's bodyguards were outside, and Bruce visited daily. He sat down, and his phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Hi!"

"Hello, Bruce. It's Jennie."

"Oh, is this your number?"

"Yes. I got it from my brother. I haven't seen you in a while, so I called!"

Bruce frowned. "What is it?"

"Um, are you free?"

"Just tell me!"

"It's my brother's birthday next Tuesday. I'd like you to come."

"I'm not free next Tuesday."

"Bruce, my brother's your best friend. Aren't you coming?"

"I'm sorry. I'm busy." Bruce had never attended birthday parties, so Zachary hadn't invited him. Jennie, wanting to see him, had called.

"When will you be free?"

"I'm busy now. Bye!" Bruce hung up. He knew what these women wanted. Many were smitten, but he didn't like overly proactive women.

"Mr. Everett, you're a busy man," Joanna sneered.

"It's just an acquaintance inviting me to a birthday party. You know I never go."

Joanna's expression was impassive. "It's almost Christmas. Are you planning to let the children spend it overseas alone?"

Bruce was stunned.

"I know you miss them. I'll bring them back when you're better."

"How can I recover like this? You know the children are my life!"

"Why are you so cruel? Why did you take them away from me!" Joanna cried.

Bruce was distraught seeing her cry. "Don't cry! Don't get agitated!"

"Bruce, I hate you. I really hate you!"

He hugged her gently, stroking her hair. "I know you hate me. I've told you, you can stay with me peacefully. I've been good to you. Why torture yourself? Why can't you let go of the past? There was a mistake. Why don't you believe me?"

Joanna continued crying. It was an exhausting relationship. Roxanne was her sister; she couldn't share a man with her. She'd rather end it.

Bruce's phone rang again—Roxanne, having called numerous times.

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