Chapter 279


    As Joanna continued to pray fervently, an elderly man in his sixties entered the room.


    He had a distinguished presence andmanded respect as he walked in.


    The people waiting outside the operating room greeted him with deference, “Mr. Grimm!”


    Joanna, upon hearing their greetings, instinctively looked up.


    It was Jaydon’s father, Tim Grimm, a renowned figure in the gambling industry in Venturas.


    “Mr. Grimm…”


    Although Joanna and Tim had never met before, they seemed to know each other very well.


    After all, their names had frequently graced the headlines, making them well-acquainted, if only


    indirectly.


    “So, you’re Joanna Haynes?” Tim assessed Joanna, his tone devoid of any detectable emotion or hint


    of anger.


    “Yes, it’s me,” Joanna replied, her heart skip ping a beat unconsciously.


    Orvin promptly stepped forward to introduce, “This is Mr. Jaydon Grimm’s father, Mr. Tim!”


    “Mr. Tim, this is Ms. Haynes, the chairman of the Haynes Group.”


    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Tim.”


    Tim adjusted his sses, his demeanor calm andposed.


    Though he showed little emotion, his every move exuded a sense of regality, much like a lion reigning


    over the grasnds. He naturallymanded respect with his intimidating aura.


    “Mr. Grimm, please have a seat. Mr. Jaydon is still in the emergency room.”


    Tim took a seat with a cool and collected expression, his focus solely on his son’s well-being.


    Nothing was more important than his son’s life now!


    An hour passed, the lights in the operating room dimmed.


    And the doctor emerged.


    Orvin, Joanna, and the others eagerly approached, seeking an update. “How is Mr. Grimm?”


    The doctor spoke with gravity, “The patient has suffered multiple fractures and significant blood loss.


    He needs to be closely monitored in the intensive care unit for at least a day.”


    “Is his life in immediate danger?”


    “The surgery was sessful, and as long as he wakes up within a week, there should be no life-


    threateningplications.”


    “No matter what, you must do everything in your power to save my son.”


    “Mr. Grimm, please rest assured that we will spare no effort.”


    Tim furrowed his brows slightly, a touch of sorrow in his expression as he took a deep breath.


    “I need to go in and see my son!”


    “Sure! Please follow me, Mr. Grimm.” the doctor promptly led Tim to change into a surgical gown.


    Jaydon’s brother, Cas sius Grimm, and younger sister, Grace Grimm, joined Tim as they entered the


    intensive care unit to visit Jaydon.


    Joanna, being unable to enter, remained outside the unit, peering through the ss partition.


    Jaydony on the hospital bed, his body covered in splints, the bandages resembling a mummy’s


    wrapping.


    The harrowing scene of the ident yed out in Joanna’s mind, intensifying her concern and


    distress.


    “Jay, you have to hold on,” Joanna whispered, her eyes welling up with tears, unable to contain her


    emotions.


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    Twenty minutester, Tim and the others emerged from the ICU after visiting Jaydon.


    Joanna was still waiting outside, her expression grave and concerned.


    “What is your rtionship with Jay?” Tim suddenly halted in his tracks.


    Joanna hesitated, “Uh… just friends.”


    “Is that so?” Tim expressed disbelief.


    The rumors about Joanna and Jaydon had been rampant, and it was hard to imagine that Tim hadn’t


    heard anything.


    However, since Jaydon had always harbored hatred towards his father and preferred to keep his


    distance, Tim didn’t want to exert too much control over his son.


    “Yes, sir, what I said is the truth! Please don’t misunderstand,” Joanna instinctively tried to exin.


    “Oh, there’s no misunderstanding! Before Jaydon lost consciousness, he kept calling your name. I


    believe you must be important to


    him.”


    Joanna’s eyebrows furrowed, unable to respond.


    Tim took a deep breath and continued calmly, “I know about your past and your notorious reputation.”


    Joanna’splexion turned even paler upon hearing his words.


    Seeing Joanna’s vexed and apprehensive expression, Tim added, “Don’t worry, Ms. Haynes, I’m not a


    ret arded old man, and I won’t ask you to leave my son.


    “But if you want to be married into our family and be a Grimm, you must stay true to Jay.”


    Joanna’s head felt like it was about to explode from the pressure. “Sir, I’m afraid there must be some


    understanding between us. I and Jay, we are just friends.”


    Tim looked at Joanna with a wry smile, chuckling. “Ms. Haynes, you don’t have to exin, nor do you


    need to exin! I won’t interfere, as I said!


    “I just want you to know one thing. If you date my son, I won’t object!


    “But you can’t be wishy-washy and indecisive,”


    Joanna’s head wentpletely nk.


    The ambiguous rumors between her and Jaydon had already spread far and wide.


    Even if they really had no romantic involvement, in the eyes of outsiders, they were already seen as a


    couple.


    But the truth was, Joanna and Jaydon were truly just friends, and they had never been involved


    romantically or physically.


    “I’m leaving. Please stay with Jaydon.”


    “Oh, okay, I see.”


    Tim finished speaking and left without looking back.


    In the parking lot, Grace wore an annoyed and disdainful expression. “Dad, is this woman really


    Jaydon’s girlfriend?


    “I heard she was previously married and had three children! This second-hand woman isn’t worthy of


    Jaydon.”


    Tim tightened his lips slightly. “As long as Jaydon likes her, nothing else matters.”


    “But this woman’s ex-husband is Bruce! I heard she’s still entangled with him! And not long ago, she


    and her sister were fighting over a man, causing quite a stir!


    “And now, all of a sudden, she’s with Jaydon again! Such an improper woman is simply not suitable for


    Jaydon.”


    “Heh…” Tim smiled meaningfully, choosing not to say more.


    Actually, he wasn’t a conservative and narrow-minded tycoon himself. He had lived a libertine life,


    siring no fewer than eight children with various women.


    So, when it came to rtionships, he took a more liberated view. As long as this was what his son


    wanted, he would support his


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    pursuit.


    After all, he believed that a man could never be faithful to just one woman.


    And whether Joanna had children or not was ultimately irrelevant.


    Joanna had kept a vigil for a full day and night.


    It was noon on the second day when Jaydon stirred from his deep slumber.


    He woke up in a daze!


    Jaydon weakly coughed, his body riddled with multiple fractures, rendering him immobile and wrapped


    up like a cocoon.


    He couldn’t move at all.


    Joanna, ever watchful, immediately noticed his awakening and eximed, “Jay, you’re awake!”


    Jaydon blinked his eyes in disbelief as he gazed at Joanna. “Is it really you, Joann…?”


    Joanna felt her eyes well up with tears, her voice choked with emotion. “Yes, it’s me, Jay! You’re finally


    awake. How are you feeling?” Jaydon took a shuddering breath, his voice as feeble as a thread.


    “Joann… seeing you here, everything feels right again.”


    “Jay, don’t worry yourself,” Joanna reassured him tenderly.


    “Sure…” Jaydon mustered a slight movement of his fingers, attempting to raise his hand.


    “Don’t move, Jay! Your arm is secured in a cast,” Joanna cautioned, concern etched on her face.


    Time flew by, and Joanna had spent three days by Jaydon’s side in the hospital.


    During this time, she managed to find moments to call Bruce, who had taken Lilia to Gaprington.


    Her worries for them only grew stronger.


    Regrettably, her attempts to reach Bruce went unanswered, for he was a man too proud and self-


    assured to tolerate even a hint of perceived betrayal from Joanna.


    Even if there truly was nothing between her and Jaydon, he would never believe it.


    On the fourth day, Jaydon had safely passed the critical phase and regained a significant portion of his


    consciousness.


    With a plethora of caregivers and ser vants attending to him, Joanna’s presence no longer seemed as


    necessary.


    “Jay, take good care of yourself. I have to return to Greyport this afternoon,” Joanna gently informed


    him.


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    “Joann, I don’t want you to go…” Jaydon reluctantly held onto her hand, his eyes filled with profound


    affection and tenderness.


    “Don’t worry, I’lle back to see you in a couple of days. Thepany needs someone to oversee


    matters, and I must make sure everything is in order,” Joanna reassured him.


    “Joann, I don’t know when I’ll get to see you again once you leave,” Jaydon grasped Joanna’s hand


    tightly, desperately yearning for her presence.


    “You’re my closest friend, Jay. I promise to visit you often,” Joanna replied, her voice filled with


    sincerity.


    “But… I’m worried that Bruce might cause harm to you.” Jaydon expressed his deep concern, his gaze


    fixed on Joanna,


    Given his current condition, he was unable to protect her.


    “Don’t worry about me, Jay. Take care of yourself.”


    Joanna soothed, offering Jaydon aforting reassurance before finally bidding farewell to the


    hospital.


    Beep, beep, beep!


    As soon as Joanna left the hospital premises, she wasted no time in dialing Bruce’s number, hoping to


    reach him.


    Several days had passed without any contact, and she wondered if he had indeed departed for


    Gaprington with Lilia.


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    Chapter279


    It was in Reagan No. 8 Residence!


    Joanna returned to her abode a little after five in the afternoon.


    At the entrance of the luxurious vi, a security guard promptly intercepted her.


    “Ms. Haynes, this is a private estate. Unauthorized entry is not permitted.”