Chapter 385


    “Don’t go. Stay by my side.” Bruce said in a somewhat pleading tone.


    Joanna sighed but she did not really turn down his request.


    A the end of the day, he was still the father of her children. She still had to stay and take care of him, if


    only for the sake of her children.


    The next day, at six in the morning. Bruce was still asleep.


    Joanna quietly left the hospital.


    Today, she had to go to Venturas with Jaydon. She had to go back and pack.


    After leaving the hospital, Joanna rushed home. She took a shower and put on some light makeup.


    Then, she changed into a set of clean and appropriate clothes.


    Just as she was done, her phone rang.


    Beep! Beep! Beep!


    “Hello, Jay!”


    Jaydon’s warm voice rang out from the other end of the line. “Joann, are you up?”


    “Oh, I’m up!”


    “Then shall I go over and pick you up now?”


    “Mm–hmm. Sure!” Joanna ended the phone call and hurriedly blow–dried her hair.


    As she hadn’t slept the night before, the areas around her eyes were slightly darkened. She could only


    carefully apply some beauty balm cream.


    Half an hourter…


    Ding! Ding!


    The doorbell rang Jaydon had arrived.


    “Miranda, go get the door.”


    “Alright, Miranda replied and quickly went to open the door.


    Outside the door, Jaydon was wearing a ck suit. He looked very dignified and formal.


    Miranda forced herself to smile and greeted him. “Hello, Mr. Grimm!”


    “Hello!”


    “Jay, you’re here!” Joanna came down from the second floor and got ready to change her shoes.


    “Joann! You are still not ready?” Jaydon said as he scrutinized Joanna.


    Joanna was wearing a Dior single–hued summer dress and carrying a matching champagne–colored


    shoulder bag. Her hair was hanging somewhat loosely, and her makeup was exquisite.


    Overall, Joanna looked fresh and elegant. This get–up was the most appropriate for meeting parents.


    Im ready. We can set off at any time.” Joanna smiled and changed into her high heels.


    Jaydon hugged her waist and kissed her forehead gently. “Why do you have such dark eye circles? Did


    you not sleep well. against night?”


    “Oh, I was a little nervous, so I didn’t sleep well.” Joanna’s eyes widened and she subconsciously


    avoided Jaydon’s gaze.


    “Don’t be nervous. I’ll take care of everything!”


    “Mm–hmm… Then let’s go!”


    “Okay!”


    Joanna suddenly thought of something and said with a guilty expression, “Oh, yes. I was in such a


    hurry that I didn’t have time to prepare a gift.


    When Jaydon heard this, he smiled. There’s no need to prepare anything!”


    “How can I do that? After all, this is my first time visiting them. It’s not good to go empty–handed!”


    “Ha! There’s no need to be so particr. I’ve already prepared it.”


    “Really?” Joanna looked at Jaydon in shock.


    “Don’t worry! Everything has been prepared. You just have to bring yourself there.”


    “Alright then!”


    “Joann, be careful on the road.”


    “Mm–hmm. I know.”


    Greyport and Venturas were on opposite banks of the sea. Normally, people traveled back and forth by


    ferry.


    On the ferry, Joanna yawned a few times in a row.


    “Are you very tired? Rest on my shoulder for a while.”


    When Joanna heard this, she smiled in embarrassment. “No need. I didn’t sleep wellst night.”


    Jaydon asked again considerately, “Have you had breakfast?”


    “Not yet.”


    “I knew it. I brought you a sandwich,” Jaydon said, handing her a sandwich.


    “Thank you.”


    An hourter, the ferry docked at the pier in the city of Venturas.


    “Joann, time to disembark!”


    Joanna was already a little sleepy. “Oh, okay.”


    Orvin had already driven here and was waiting to pick them up.


    The car traveled for half an hour before stopping next to thewn of a luxurious mansion.


    The Grimm family’s mansion was a preeminent vi in the city of Venturas.


    It upied more than 1.5 acres ofnd.


    The entire exterior was designed in the Ecostanian pce style and it looked very grand and


    luxurious.


    The security guards at the gate bowed respectfully and greeted the visitors. “Good day, Mr. Jaydon!”


    “Joann, let’s get off!”


    Joanna smiled and got out of the car gracefully.


    There were many servants here. At a nce, there were multiple rows of servants standing there. They


    looked a little like servants of those Old World pces, standing at the entrance to wee the


    nobles.


    Joanna was used to big, ostentatious asions but she was still shocked by this kind of pomposity.


    The way the Everett family carried themselves was rather low–keypared to the extravagance


    here.


    Jaydon held Joanna’s hand and whispered in her ear, “There are more people in my family. You have


    to be mentally prepared.”


    “Mm–hmm. I understand.”


    In the living room, many elders were already waiting in the living room because they had been informed


    in advance. Right in front was Jaydon’s fourth uncle, Harold Grimm, and his wife.


    Jaydon began to introduce the elders one by one. “Joann, this is my Fourth Uncle Harold, and this is


    my Fourth Aunt.” Joanna’s face stiffened. She looked a little like a nervous primary school student


    meeting a teacher. “Hello, Mr. Grimm, Mrs. Grimm.”


    Harold resembled Tim quite a fair bit. However, Harold’s head was going bald a little and he appeared


    more stern.


    When Joanna greeted him, he only gave her an indifferent nce.


    In contrast, Jaydon’s fourth aunt appeared very gentle. “Hello, Ms. Haynes!”


    Jaydon continued with his introductions. “Joann, this is Yvette and this is Yasmine. They are my aunts”


    “Hello, Yvette! Hello, Yasmine!” Joanna’s face turned pale as she greeted thedies cautiously.


    “You’re Joanna?” Yvette Grimm, Jaydon’s second aunt, sized up Joanna with eyes that were filled with


    strong disdain.


    The Grimm family was a big, influential family, and a preeminent family in Venturas!


    Although Joanna was also the well–born daughter of a wealthy family, she was married before. In the


    eyes of the Grimm family’s elders, this was absolutely uneptable.


    In particr, Joanna’s reputation was not very good. She was considered fairly infamous in Venturas


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    and Greyport.


    Jaydon’s third aunt, Yasmine Grimm, also sized Joanna up arrogantly. “Wee, Ms. Haynes!”


    “Our Grimm family has more family members and also more rules. If you want to marry into our Grimm


    family, you have to abide by our Grimm family’s rules.”


    Joanna subconsciously frowned a little.


    They were flexing their muscles to intimidate her!


    Joann, this is my stepmother, Madam Genevieve!” Jaydon carried on with the introductions.


    After one round, just the elders alone already made up more than ten members.


    “Please take a seat!”


    “Oh, thank you.” Joanna sat down at the table somewhat nervously.


    More than ten pairs of eyes stared at her in unison like scanners.


    Moreover, most of their eyes were filled with aloofness and disdain.


    After everyone sat down, Yvette said with a pretentious smile, “Jay, our Grimm family is a prestigious


    family after all. How can your wedding be so rushed?”


    Yasmine chimed in, “That’s right. At the end of the day, this is your first wedding. It’s such a loss of face


    for the Grimm family when you rush through the preparations for this wedding.”


    “Hah! My dear sister, you’re thinking too much. Jay is marrying a woman who’s marrying for the second


    time. Why are you still worried about the loss of face?” Yvette said to Yasmine.


    When Joanna heard this, her face turned pale at once. She felt dizzy. There were so many elders, and


    she was already confused. She could not tell which elder was which!


    “Yasmine, your words are too unpleasant. Ms. Haynes, don’t take offense. She’s more outspoken.”


    Joanna didn’t answer. She simply sat there quietly.


    At this point, it was better to speak less. The more she said, the more they would criticize.


    “Marriage isn’t child’s y. I can’t believe that Jay is suddenly getting married.”


    “Here I was wondering which wealthy family’s well–born daughter he had taken a fancy to. Who would


    have thought…”


    Jaydon’s expression changed at once when he heard that!


    Just when the atmosphere became very strained, a beautifully dressed young girl ran down from


    upstairs.


    “Jaydon, you’re finally back. I missed you so much!” Grace Grimm ran over and hugged Jaydon


    excitedly.


    Jaydon and Grace were born of the same mother so they were on the best terms with each other.


    “Jaydon, has your leg healed? I was so worried about you!”


    “It’s healed!”


    Thereafter, another man in a suit came down from upstairs. “Hello, I’m Cassius Grimm!”


    Cassius carried himself in a more refined manner, and his actions were more gentlemanly.


    “Joann, this is my eldest brother!”


    “Hello, Cassius! Joanna stood up politely.


    “Jaydon, are you really getting married?“


    Jaydon smiled and stroked Grace’s head, “Yes!”


    Grace scrutinized Joanna closely and her face was full of disdain.


    If Joanna had never married before, she would then be suitable for Jaydon. However, now, not only


    was Joanna remarrying, but she also had three children with another man.


    Grace really did not understand what Jaydon liked about this kind of second–hand woman.