Chapter 105
At the Haynes’s house.
Roxanne called Bruce more than ten times, but no one answered.
Ingrid watched anxiously from the side and said, “How is it? Is the call connected?”
Roxanne said dejectedly, “No. Bruce has been refusing to answer
my calls.”
Upon hearing that, Ingrid looked even more anxious. She said, “Oh no, this is going to be troublesome.
“Listen to me. Hurry up and go to his office to look for him.”
“Mom, I don’t want to go!” Roxanne said.
Ingrid looked displeased. “You have to go even if you don’t want to!” she said. “If you don’t want to go alone, I’ll go with you!
“Let’s go. Hurry up and change your clothes.”
Roxanne pounded the sofa impatiently. “Mom, can you not be like this?” she said. “You’re giving me a lot of pressure!
I’m annoyed. Do you know that?”
“I’m doing this because I’m worried about you,” Ingrid said. “If your marriage with Mr. Everett falls through, think about how our family will live in the future. How will others see you and the Haynes family?”
Upon hearing that, Roxanne leaned back and lay on the sofa.
She was on the verge of a breakdown and felt helpless.
Bruce had already ignored her. She did not know what else she could do.
Even more so, she did not know how to win his heart back.
“Get up quickly.” Ingrid said. “Why did I give birth to such a useless daughter like you?”
“Mom, can you leave me alone for a while?” Roxanne said. “I’ve got intense mental stress now!”
“No, I can’t, Ingrid said. “It’s a critical situation right now, and you still don’t have a sense of crisis!” Ingrid stepped forward and grabbed her daughter’s arm, trying to pull her up.
Roxanne pounded her head hard. She glared at Ingrid with teary eyes and said, “Mom, can you stop forcing me?
“If you force me again, I’ll die in front of you! I’m serious this time around!”
Upon hearing that, Ingrid was so frightened that she felt a tightness in her chest. She did not dare to nag Roxanne anymore.
Her tone softened. “Alright, alright, alright,” she said. “I won’t force you anymore, okay?”
As she spoke, she could not help but mutter quietly, “Sigh, why am I so unlucky to have such a useless daughter?”
When Shaun heard the two of them arguing, he quickly came down from upstairs. “What are you two arguing about again?”
he asked.
Ingrid rolled her eyes and said, “What else can we argue about?”
As soon as Shaun heard that, he knew that they were arguing about Roxanne’s marriage. He said, “Oh my, marriage is predetermined from one’s past life!
Chapter 105
“If they are not fated to be husband and wife, then they might as well not get married.
“It’s not like our family can’t afford to provide for Roxy. There are so many worry about not being able to find a suitable match for her?”
young men in Greyport. Why should we
Ingrid was instantly enraged upon hearing that. “You make it sound so easy,” she said. “That’s the Everett family! If one can marry into the Everett family, one will be successful for the rest of one’s life!
“We’re at the most crucial juncture now, and you are not urging Roxy to try harder. Instead, you are making things worse! What kind of father are you?”
Shaun was most afraid of quarreling with Ingrid. Whenever they quarreled, Ingrid would be like a strong fighting rooster, pecking him until he retreated continuously. “Alright, alright, stop quarreling!” Shaun said. “Let nature take its course.
“Don’t give Roxy too much pressure. It’s not like our family is so poor that we have to rush for her to marry into the Everett family…
Without waiting for Shaun to finish talking, Ingrid had already placed her hand on her waist and pointed at Shaun’s nose as she started to argue. “Hmph, do you really think the Haynes family has a lot of money?” she said. “We’re just living off our past earnings!
“You’re no longer the chairman of the Haynes Group. Our entire family has been chased out of the Haynes Group! Now, all of our expenses rely solely on the meager dividends and rent.
“The rest can only rely on our savings! How long can that last?
“When I attend banquets with those rich ladies, they are no longer interested to talk to me anymore. It’s only after Roxy gets engaged that I can get back into their circle.”
When Shaun heard this, he sighed with a frown. “Why are you always so vain?” he said. “You haven’t changed at all in all these years!”
Ingrid got even more intense and aggressive in arguing back. She pointed her finger at Shaun’s head and said, “Hmph, do you regret it now? Why didn’t you say you regretted it when you were with me back then?
“I have spent half of my life with you. I gave birth to your children, and I take care of a lot of household chores for you! And now you despise me for being old and unattractive! Tell me, are you seeing another woman outside of our marriage?”
Shaun took a few steps back in defeat and said, “Jeez, what are you talking about? I’m already at this age, you know?”
“Hmph, you men, as long as you can still breathe, it’s impossible not to think about women!” Ingrid said. “Don’t assume I don’t know. You’re fooling around behind my back!”
Roxanne was feeling very annoyed and fretful from listening to her parents‘ argument. She then raised her voice and shouted at them. “Dad, Mom, can’t you just stop arguing?” she said.
Ingrid lowered her voice and said, “What’s wrong? Can’t you argue with your father?
“If you ask me, it’s all because of that damn Joanna! If she hadn’t come back, we wouldn’t have had any of these problems!
“The moment she comes back, she’s the bane of our family! Hubby, I’ve told you to disown her, but you refuse to listen!”
Shaun was so frustrated that he slammed the table in anger. “You’re doing it again!” he said. “What you said is impractical! Joanna is my daughter. This is a fact that can’t be changed in this lifetime!
“Even if I announce that I am cutting off my father–daughter relationship with her, does that mean she’s no longer my daughter?”
Ingrid stomped her foot hard and said, “Mr. Everett ignores Roxy. Who knows, maybe he’s with Joanna that despicable woman right now!
“Hubby, hurry up and call your good daughter! Warn her not to get too close to Mr. Everett!”
Chapter 105
“Sigh. I’m really scared of you!” Shaun said. He was so scared that he did not dare to speak up.
“What are you waiting for?” Ingrid said. “Hurry up and call! Are you waiting for them to get together before figuring out a
solution?
“Don’t forget that she was the one who seduced Bruce six years ago!”
“Stop accusing Joann.” Shaun said. “What happened six years ago was not because of Joann!”
“Okay, okay,” Ingrid said. “Why wasn’t it because of her? If it wasn’t because of her, would Mr. Everett and Roxy’s marriage be delayed for so long?”
Ingrid was used to throwing tantrums and treating Shaun harshly.
Shaun was dejected. He did not have the strength to argue anymore.
Ingrid said, “Hubby, if Mr. Everett and Roxy’s marriage fails, what will you do?
“Don’t just stand there. Quick, call Joanna!!”
Roxanne could not stand it anymore. She was further annoyed by the argument. “Do whatever you want,” she said. “I’ll go upstairs first!” As she said that, she stood up and ran upstairs.
Shaun had no choice but to pick up the phone and call Joanna..
Beep, beep, beep!
Inside the office, Joanna was arguing with Bruce when the phone rang.
Joanna took a look and picked up. “Hello, Dad, what’s the matter?” she said.
At the other end of the line, Shaun sighed dejectedly. “Um, I want to talk to you on the phone,” he said.
Joanna was stunned. “Dad, what’s the matter?” she said. “Just say it!”
“Did you meet Bruce these past few days?” Shaun asked.
Joanna was left speechless. She was stunned upon hearing that. She found herself glancing involuntarily at Bruce, who was
beside her.
Bruce clearly heard the voice on the phone as well. He frowned and listened quietly.
“Why aren’t you talking?” Shaun said. “Did you meet him?”
“Dad, I… Joanna wanted to say something but hesitated. She did not know what to say.
“Roxy has been unable to eat or sleep well these days, and she has lost a lot of weight,” Shaun said. “My heart aches for her.”
“So?” Joanna said.,
Shaun paused and let out a deep sigh. Then, he said, “So, Roxy has depression, and she can’t handle any more stress.
“You’re the elder sister and have always been resilient. But I still want to advise you not to get too close to Bruce.”
Joanna said, “Dad, I don’t want to get too close to him either…”
Before Joanna finished talking, Bruce snatched the phone away and said, “Hello! It’s me!”
Shaun was stunned when he heard Bruce’s voice. He involuntarily looked at Ingrid. “Bruce, are you with Joann?” he said.
“Yes!” Bruce said.
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Chapter 105
Shaun was left speechless. He was stunned. Ingrid’s eyes instantly widened. She held her breath and listened quietly.
“Bruce, what’s wrong with you now?” Shaun said.
“Sorry,” Bruce said. “Roxanne and I…” Bruce wanted to explain the reason to Shaun directly.
When Joanna heard that Bruce’s tone was not right, she hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, indicating that he should not say too
much.
Bruce was stunned for a moment. He was about to say something, but then stopped himself from saying it.
Roxanne had depression and had just harmed herself not long ago. If he said that he wanted to break up with her, she would probably not be able to take the blow again.
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