Chapter 4

"Oh my God, I can't believe it! After being kicked out of the Everett family, Joanna hooked up with Mr. Grimm, and they've already had two children!"

"Mr. Grimm, are these children yours? What is your relationship with Joanna Haynes?"

"When did your relationship begin?"

"Mr. Grimm, is it true that Ms. Haynes is about to become the new executive director of the Haynes Group?"

Reporters crowded around, flashbulbs popping and microphones thrust forward. Hundreds of security personnel quickly formed a protective barrier.

Jaydon, never a fan of interviews, nodded slightly at the throng of reporters. He would answer their questions today.

"Ms. Haynes and I are very good friends. Thank you for your concern."

This single sentence fueled the reporters' imaginations.

Joanna and her two sons entered the cemetery, protected by Jaydon and security. (The website promotion has been removed.)

Today was Joanna's grandfather's funeral, and she felt it essential for her children to say goodbye. Four years ago, after divorcing Bruce, she gave birth to triplets—two boys and a girl. The girl, unfortunately, was born with an illness and couldn't attend. Joanna brought only her two sons.

She and Jaydon stopped at Raymond's grave and bowed deeply three times.

"Kids, bow to your great-grandfather."

The boys obeyed, bowing deeply, mirroring Joanna and Jaydon. A warm family scene unfolded.

"Is that man Mr. Grimm? Jaydon Grimm?"

"Oh dear, he's not secretly married to that woman, is he?"

"This is shocking! I can't believe Mr. Grimm would be with someone like her"

This spectacle irritated Ingrid and Roxanne, and the other women present. Jaydon Grimm was almost every woman's ideal: born wealthy, handsome, and with a promising future. He was as influential as Bruce. Yet, it was Joanna, the woman ostracized by the Everett family, who was with him.

How could she be so lucky? What was so captivating about her?

"Joanna, um, whose children are they?" Shaun asked, shocked at the sight of the two boys.

"They're my children, Dad," Joanna replied, turning to the boys. "Davian, Irvin, this is your grandfather."

"Nice to meet you, Grandpa!" the boys called out.

What the?

The others were stunned. Ingrid and Roxanne were frozen, hearts pounding in horror. The boys strongly resembled Bruce, especially their eyes—miniature versions of the man.

Shaun remained incredulous. "And who's their father?" he asked seriously, deeply worried that Bruce was the father, especially since Bruce was now engaged to Roxanne. While Joanna was his daughter, she'd grown up abroad with her mother, only returning to the Haynes family at age twelve after her mother's death. Their bond was therefore weak.

"Joanna, I'm not blaming you, but you should have told the family about this—about having two children!" Shaun's displeasure was evident. He suspected that if Bruce was the father, Joanna had interfered in Roxanne's relationship. Even if Bruce wasn't the father, he feared Joanna might use the boys to gain a larger share of the inheritance. This was unfavorable to Shaun.

Joanna remained silent, her head bowed. She simply wanted to pay her respects to her grandfather.

Jaydon stepped forward. "Hi, Mr. Haynes. I'm Jaydon. I'm Joanna's good friend."

Shaun glanced at him, his nerves calming. He hadn't met Jaydon before, but the young man's reputation was known even to him. If Jaydon was the father, he could breathe a sigh of relief.

"Oh, hello! So, you and Joanna? The children?"

Jaydon paused. "Joanna and I are very close friends. I wanted to be here with her and the children today." His answer was carefully non-committal. Secret marriages and children weren't unheard of among the wealthy.

Bruce, however, felt a surge of anger. Four years had passed since his divorce, yet Joanna's children appeared to be at least three. This suggested infidelity, explaining her abrupt departure and relinquishing the $100 million alimony. She had found a new "sugar daddy." He cursed her silently. His patience snapped. Without a word, he stormed off.

"Bruce! Bruce!" Roxanne called out.

Ingrid urged her daughter to follow him. Roxanne ran after Bruce.

The reporters immediately surrounded Bruce. "Mr. Everett, what do you think of your ex-wife's relationship with Mr. Grimm?"

"You lived with your ex-wife for two years, but she didn't get pregnant! Could the boys be yours?"

"When are you and Ms. Roxanne getting married?"

Already agitated, Bruce was further enraged by the reporters. His bodyguards pushed the press back.

"No interviews!"

Bruce was escorted to his car. Roxanne followed, but Bruce's car sped off before she could reach it.

The reporters immediately turned to Roxanne. "Ms. Haynes, when are you and Mr. Everett getting married?"

"What do you think of your sister taking over the Haynes Group?"

Overwhelmed, Roxanne froze, speechless. Ingrid intervened. "Sorry, no interviews today!"