Chapter 1098
“Exactly! I also believe entering through the underground dark river is too risky. Unless we are left with no other choice, we must not resort to this method,” Leo said firmly, his expression showing resistance.
Aria added determinedly, “Right now, we can take the initiative to test the waters. Create some provocations that will catch the attention of those scientists in District 17. After our people are captured and taken to District 17, we can gather accurate information and establish communication with the outside. We’ll have the upper hand with a coordinated effort from within and outside. But first, we must prepare a meticulous and comprehensive plan.”
Joanna felt her heart skip a beat. Her mind was tangled in a whirlwind of thoughts.
At this moment, there seemed to be no better option, so they had no choice but to follow Aria’s lead.
With a firm nod, Jaydon agreed, “Then it’s settled!”
“We’ll head back now and share this information with the others. When we’re ready to move, we’ll contact you again.”
With a worried expression, Joanna exclaimed, “Please be careful out there!”
“Understood, and you take care too,”
“Yeah,” Joanna replied.
“We’ll take our leave now,” Aria and Leo stood up, ready to embark on the next phase of their plan.
Joanna intended to stand up, but her body felt weak, “Jay, why don’t you see them off?”
“Will do,” Jaydon replied.
Aria firmly declined, “No need! You rest up and take care. Leo, let’s go.”
After they left.
Joanna was still weak and dizzy as if she had caught a severe cold.
Jaydon asked worriedly, “Joann, are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital for a check-up?”
“I’ll be fine, just feeling a bit dizzy. It’s probably just a cold. I’ll take some cold medicine later, and I’ll be okay,” Joanna replied.
“Alright, take some cold medicine and get a good night’s sleep. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Look at how tired your eyes are,” Jaydon said.
“Jay, my mind is in turmoil, and I’m frightened,” Joanna replied, collapsing on the sofa like a worn-out wind-up toy and utterly exhausted.
She could not fathom the idea of Bruce being truly gone. How would she go on if
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he was dead?
With a gentle pat on her shoulder, Jaydon reassured her, “Don’t frighten yourself with such thoughts. Bruce is a man of extraordinary abilities. Even God would be afraid of him. He’s not someone who can easily be defeated.”
Joanna’s eyes quivered as she looked at Jaydon with surprise and bewilderment. Jaydon reassured Joanna casually, “You know what they say, the wicked live long while the good die young. Bruce’s wickedness is legendary. Even God dare not take him.”
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He had initially wanted to quote, “The scourge lives a thousand years,” but upon reflection, he felt the wording was inappropriate, and at the last moment, he changed it to “The wicked lives a thousand years.”
Jaydon felt his relationship with Bruce was a love-hate one, akin to a pair of bitter rivals. They could not stand each other, constantly belittling one another.
However, when one of them was in trouble, they could not help but soften their hearts and lend a helping hand to the other.
Joanna furrowed her brows, choosing not to say anything further.
Beep, beep, beep.
At that very moment, the phone rang loudly, breaking the silence in the room. Joanna glanced at her phone and saw that it was a video call from her eldest child, Davian. “Hey, sweetheart!” Joanna exclaimed.
On the video call, Davian’s adorable face appeared. “Mommy, why couldn’t I reach you on the phone?” he asked with concern.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Joanna asked weakly, her voice filled with concern.
Her second child, Irvin, stepped forward, his adorable face displaying a hint of displeasure as he said, “Hey, Mom, what’s taking you so long? You’ve been in Melta for over a week. When are you coming back?”
Joanna’s expression turned somber, and she replied, “Well, your Dad has already headed back. He’s on the plane now, so he’ll be home soon.”
The two little ones were thrilled to hear the news. Their faces lit up with
excitement as they asked, “Really? Dad is coming back?”
“Yes, he should be landing soon,” Joanna assured them.
“What about Mom? When are you coming back?” they asked.
“The school hasn’t been arranged yet. Mommy might need more time. Daddy went back first to keep you company,” Joanna continued.
Irvin replied melancholically, “Well, it’s better than having both of you away from
us.”
“Exactly! You promised never to travel far again, but it’s just a trick to deceive us, like telling stories to kids,” Davian chimed.
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“Now that Dad finally came back, Mom has left home again. No matter what, it feels like deceiving us,” Irvin added.
“Oh, my two little sweethearts…” Joanna exclaimed.
As they sensed their mother’s weakness, the two little ones refrained from teasing and asked with concern, “Mommy, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
Joanna, struggling to control her emotions, spoke gently, “You two are already grown-up and sensible. You must learn to take care of yourselves, your little sister, and little brother.”
“Absolutely! We’re the big brothers, after all,” the boys said in unison.
“Be good and take care, Mommy…” Joanna said, her voice catching in her throat, overwhelmed by emotions she could not express in words.
If Bruce were to be truly gone…
If that were the case, she felt there would be no purpose in living, and she would make arrangements for her affairs before joining him in death.
As for that clone….
He is doing well, and at least he can provide some comfort by staying with the children.
Alternatively, she could clone herself to be with the children in her place.
The loss of Bruce has left her without the courage to continue living. Even if she lived on, each day would be filled with unbearable pain. She cannot endure such torment and would choose death instead.
“Don’t worry, my darlings. Mommy is fine. Just be good, and Daddy will be home soon,” Joanna assured her children.
“Oh, okay! Then mommy, come back soon too!” they said.
“Sure, got it. Kiss Mommy,” Joanna said.
The two little ones blew a virtual kiss into the phone before they said, “Goodbye, Mommy!”
After ending the video call.
Tears welled up in Joanna’s eyes as she closed them, unable to hold back the emotions any longer.
Why does fate continue to torment their family like this?
Despite being the wealthiest in Greyport, they seemed to face the most hardships, lacking the simple joys of a contented couple.
“Joann, go to your room and rest for a while. Don’t dwell on things too much. Don’t
put too much pressure on yourself. Don’t wait until Bruce is rescued and end up overwhelming yourself,” Jaydon said, doing his best to comfort her.
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