Chapter 278


    On one hand, there was the urgency of going to Gaprington to get treatment for their daughter. On the


    other hand, Jaydon’s life hung by a thread after a car ident.


    Joanna pondered for a moment and made the decision to visit Jaydon in Venturas first. He had been a


    tremendous help to her in the past, and without him, she doubted she and the children would have


    made it this far.


    While Lilia’s condition was pressing, it wasn’t a matter of life and death..


    Furthermore, having Bruce by her side providedfort and support.


    Joanna couldn’t afford to hesitate.


    After leaving the restroom, she swiftly exited the airport.


    “Let’s go to the pier!”


    “Alright!”


    Joanna hailed a taxi and headed straight to the pier to catch a boat to Venturas.


    Inside the waiting hall, Bruce and Lilia remained seated, anxiously awaiting Joanna’s return.


    They scanned the area, growing increasingly concerned as time passed.


    But Joanna didn’t appear.


    Bruce instinctively nced outside and said, “Lilian, could you please check the restroom and see why


    Joanna hasn’te back yet?”


    The caregiver. Lilian, respectfully replied, “Of course, Mr. Everett!”


    Setting down her luggage, Lilian made her way toward the restroom.


    Lilia sat in her stroller, her tender face beaming with excitement. “Daddy, once I’m done seeing the


    doctor, will I be able to walk again, isn’t it?”


    Bruce fondly ruffled his daughter’s hair, his voice filled with affection. “Absolutely, sweetheart. Daddy


    promised you to find the best doctor to cure your leg!”


    “When my leg is healed. I will be able to run and have fun with my brothers, hooray!”


    Lilia’s face beamed like a sunflower at the thought. “Oh, I really hope my illness gets better soon!”


    “It definitely will! Daddy’s little princess will grow up healthy and happy.


    “Daddy, why isn’t Mommy back yet?”


    Upon hearing Lilia’s question, a slight crease formed on Bruce’s brow. “That’s right! It’s been over 20


    minutes now!”


    While they were talking about Joanna, Lilian returned from the restroom.


    “Mr. Everett, Mrs. Haynes isn’t in the restroom. I checked every stall, but she wasn’t there.”


    BOOM!


    Bruce’s mind was struck by an ominous premonition.


    “Did something happen to her?” she thought.


    Beep, beep, beep!


    Bruce quickly reached for his phone and dialed Joanna’s number.


    As Joanna neared the pier, she heard her phone ring, causing her heart to sink even further.


    Without even looking at the caller ID, she knew it was Bruce calling.


    That was precisely why she didn’t dare to answer!


    If Bruce discovered that she had gone to visit Jaydon, he would undoubtedly be furious.


    Beep, beep, beep!


    The incessant ringing intensified Bruce’s concern.


    Desperate for answers, he was on the verge of madness, thinkinig about instructing the bodyguards to


    search every nook and cranny in the vicinity.


    He remembered Joanna had endured a harrowing kidnapping attack in the past that nearly imed her


    life! Bruce grew increasingly restless, relentlessly ming himself for allowing her to go to the restroom


    alone.”


    “What’s the matter. Mr. Everett?”


    Beep, beep, beep!


    Bruce frantically dialed Joanna’s phone number!


    Joanna’s heart raced, but she mustered the courage to answer, “Hello…”


    Bruce’s voice on the other end carried an urgent and worried tone, “Joanna, where are you? We’re


    about to board the ne. Why haven’t you returned yet?”


    “I… Joanna hesitated, struggling to find the right words.


    Anxiety surged within Bruce, “What’s going on? Tell me where you are. I’lle find you!”


    After a brief silence, Joanna plucked up her courage and confessed, “Bruce, I have a pressing matter


    that needs to be done. right away.


    “You and Lilia go to Gaprington. I’ll join you tomorrow!”


    Upon hearing this, Bruce furrowed his brow, his concern evident.


    *Joanna, where exactly are you now? What has happened? What’s it that’s even more important than


    our daughter”


    Joanna took a deep breath, striving to convey her message with rity, despite her restlessness,


    “Anyway, it’s urgent!”


    “Go ahead with Lilia to Gaprington! I’lle find you tomorrow!”


    Hearing this Bruce knitted his brows tightly. “Where are you now? What happened?


    “Tell me now. Don’t keep me in the dark!”


    Joanna collected her thoughts and said worriedly, “I’m nning to go to Venturas now!”


    “What are you doing there?” Bruce’s eyes darkened!


    Joanna’s resolve solidified, and she truthfully divulged, “Jay has been in a car ident. He’s currently


    in the hospital, fighting


    for his life. I need to visit him…”


    What?” Bruce gasped,pletely taken aback.


    He never anticipated Joanna would forsake him and their daughter to be by Jaydon’s side!


    “Go ahead with Lilia to Gaprington! I’lle find you tomorrow!”


    Bruce was unable to contain a bitterugh. “Joanna. I’ll give you one final chance. Return to me


    immediately!


    “Otherwise, it’s gonna be the end of our rtionship! There’s no need for you toe back!”


    Joanna’s heart sank upon hearing Bruce’s words. She pleaded, “Bruce, please don’t be like this! Lives


    are hanging in the bnce. Jay is in critical condition, fighting for his life. He’s my closest friend, and I


    cannot simply abandon him…”


    “How can you leave our daughter behind?” Bruce’s voice turned piercingly sharp.


    “Bruce. Lilia can wait for a day or two without any repercussions. But Jay’s circumstances are entirely


    different. He’s been in a severe car ident and is currently undergoing critical care!”


    Bruce clenched his jaw tightly, his teeth grinding. “Don’t waste your tongue. Come back to me


    immediately!”


    “I’m sorry, but I must visit Jay!”


    “Joanna, do you truly value Jaydon over me and our children?


    “Or is your connection with Jaydon more important than our bond as a family?” Bruce’s jealousy


    consumed him, pushing him dangerously close to the brink of madness!


    “I’m sorry, I can’t exin everything to you right now! If you insist on thinking that way, I understand!


    “I can only tell you…” Joanna hesitated for a moment, and resumed, “I can only tell you that Jay and I


    are truly just friends! Our rtionship isn’t soplicated as you’re imagining!” With those words,


    Joanna abruptly ended the call.


    She knew that further exnations would likely be futile.


    “Hello? Hello!” Bruce roared in frustration.


    But Joanna had already hung up.


    Bang!


    The sound of a loud crash filled the air as Bruce angrily threw the phone to the ground, shattering it into


    pieces!


    Lilia made a start, her little face turning pale in an instant.


    The assistant and bodyguards apanying them exchanged uneasy nces, afraid to make a


    sound, their breaths held.


    Mr. Everett, who had beenposed just moments before, was now devoured by intense anger.


    “Joanna, I will never forgive you for this! I don’t need you that much!”


    Bruce’s eyes zed with fury, his entire demeanor exuding a threatening aura.


    Andy stuttered, “Mr. Everett, the ne is about to depart. If we don’t board now, we won’t make it!”


    Bruce took a few deep breaths, forcefully adjusted his tic, andmanded, “Let’s go, let’s get on the


    ne!”


    “Yes, sir!”


    Andy replied hastily.


    Lilia looked at Bruce with fear in her eyes and asked, “Daddy, aren’t we waiting for Mommy? She


    hasn’te back yet!”


    Mommy went to be with someone else, and we don’t need her anymore!”


    Lilia’s face turned even paler upon hearing this. “Daddy, can’t we wait for Mommy, please?”


    “From now on, we won’t mention her again. Remember, it’s just you and me, Lilia! Daddy will find you a


    new mother.”


    Lilia couldn’t hold back her tears, sobbing, “No, I don’t want, I don’t want a new mommy…”


    “No more crying!” Bruce, feeling overwhelmed, raised his voice at his daughter for the first time.


    Lilia bit her trembling lip, torn between wanting to cry and being afraid to. Her small shoulders shook as


    she sobbed uncontrobly.


    Bruce, seeing his daughter’s distress, felt as if someone had pricked the most vulnerable part of his


    heart.


    “My sweet girl, don’t be scared, don’t cry. Daddy isn’t angry with you!” Bruce quickly pulled Lilia into a


    comforting embrace, doing his best to soothe her.


    “Lilia isn’t upset, and Daddy, please don’t be upset either, okay?”


    “Yeah. Daddy will take you to see a doctor in Gaprington…”


    An hourter, Joanna rushed to Venturas.


    She was heading for Marhall Hospital.


    Joanna hailed a taxi and reached the hospital. As soon as she stepped out of the cab, she dialed


    Orvin’s number. “Hey, Orvin, is Jay out of the operating room?”


    “Mr. Grimm is still in surgery. He hasn’te out yet! I’m on the third floor, outside the operating room.


    Hurry over!”


    “I see.” Joanna didn’t waste a moment and hurriedly made her way to the third floor.


    Ten minutester, Joanna finally caught sight of Orvin.


    Outside the operating room, a group of anxious individuals had gathered.


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    “Orvin, what happened to Jay?”


    “Mr. Grimm hasn’t been in a bad moodtely. He got into a collision with a truck while on his way to


    Greyport this


    morning.


    “Oh my, howe?” Joanna was overwhelmed by worry and unease, and anxiety built up inside her.


    “Jay, you have to hold on! You must fight through this.”


    At that moment, all they could do was wait. Joanna joined her hands in prayer, seeking sce in her


    faith.


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