Chapter 214
“I have to keep fighting with the appeal. I won’t give up my children! They’re my flesh and blood, and I won’t let go….”
Joanna was engulfed in a desperate sadness, despite taking her morning medication, her depression persisted.
Mr. Brycen’s face was filled with guilt after losing the lawsuit..
Although his legal team was skilled, they were no match for Bruce’s team!
“Miss Haynes, I am so sorry! I should have done better,” Mr. Brycen apologized.
Joanna trembled uncontrollably and grabbed the lawyer’s arm. “What are our chances of winning the appeal?”
Mr. Brycen paused, his sympathetic gaze fixed on Joanna. “I recommend… seeking a private settlement.”
He genuinely wanted to help Joanna win this legal battle!
But he also knew that he was going up against the wealthiest man in Greyport!
Furthermore, the other lawyers in his team had been bribed. He couldn’t possibly defeat Bruce’s formidable legal team alone!
Continuing with the appeal would only lead to more legal expenses!
After she heard Mr. Brycen’s analysis, Joanna’s vision darkened. She struggled to maintain her composure.
“Miss Haynes, please be careful! Above all, take care of your well–being.”
Joanna took a moment to regain her composure as her eyes could see things clearly.
This defeat was devastating to her.
Joanna remained immersed in profound sorrow. Not far away, a swarm of reporters had been waiting for her. When she emerged from the courthouse, they pounced on her like hungry wolves.
“Ms. Haynes! We heard that custody was awarded to Mr. Everett! Will you continue with the appeal?”
“Ms. Haynes! If the appeal is denied, will you still fight for custody?”
The reporters clamored, shoving their microphones toward her. Each one regarded her with their predatory eyes as if she were a succulent prey.
“I beg you, please stop focusing on me and let me be!” Joanna lost control in front of the cameras, completely breaking down emotionally.
She couldn’t bear being exploited as a mere spectacle by these reporters, and she didn’t want to live under others‘ constant scrutiny and verbal attacks.
Nicholas had arrived in a car. “Miss Haynes, please get in!”
Mr. Brycen and Cora shielded Joanna from the cameras, and Joanna climbed into the car in a disheveled state, feeling injured.
Upon returning home, Joanna surveyed her empty house, her heart feeling hollowed out.
Chapter 214
She had lost the lawsuit, and her children had been taken away!
Her emotional anchor had been shattered!
Before, even when Davian and Irvin were taken, she still had Lilia by her side. But now, with Lilia also gone, it was unbearable!
Soon, news of Joanna losing control in front of the reporters spread like wildfire.
[One of Greyport’s top socialites became the city’s most notorious escort.]
[Miss Haynes is mentally unstable, unleashing her fury at the media.]
As Bruce witnessed Joanna’s emotional breakdown on TV, he found no solace in his lawsuit victory.
Unable to bear it any longer, he switched off the television halfway through.
After all, Margaret had died because of Joanna, and he would never forgive her.
**
Roxanne watched Joanna’s pitiful state on the screen and couldn’t help but revel in it. “Haha, Joanna, you thought you were untouchable. Let’s see if you can survive this time!” she taunted.
“I’m going to crush you completely! Don’t even dream of making a comeback!”
Since Margaret’s passing, the Everett mansion felt hollow and devoid of warmth, especially during dinner.
Bruce sat at the dining table, lost in thought, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.
Davian and Irvin cried incessantly throughout the day, pleading to return home and see their mother.
“You big meanie! Let us go back home!” they wailed.
Overwhelmed by their crying. Bruce finally snapped, “That’s enough! Stop!” The distress in his voice was palpable.
Davian and Irvin, upon witnessing his reaction, dared not cry out loud anymore.
Lilia, her hands trembling, gazed at Bruce timidly. “Daddy, I won’t cry. Please, don’t be angry, Daddy!” she pleaded.
“Daddy, didn’t you promise to be with Mommy?”
Though young, Lilia had experienced frequent bouts of illness, mokding her into someone eager to please with an uncanny sense of responsibility.
Bruce’s heart ached even more upon hearing her words. Unable to resist, he rose from his seat and embraced his daughter tightly.
“Be a good girl, Lilia. You and your brothers will live with Daddy from now on,” he reassured her.
With tear–filled eyes fixed on Bruce, Lilia summoned the courage to speak up, “Daddy, don’t you love Mommy very much? Why can’t Mommy live with us?
“I want both Daddy and Mommy! Daddy, can you bring Mommy here too?” she implored.
Bruce, feeling as though something had crushed his heart, had his red eyes veiled in tears.
How could he not love Joanna?
He had been willing to do anything to win her back!
But that was his old way of thinking. He had changed.
The pain of his grandmother’s death caused by Joanna had left an unforgivable wound in his heart. No matter what, being with Joanna again was out of the question!
Otherwise, it would be a total disrespect to his grandma.
When Lilia noticed that Bruce wouldn’t change his mind, tears streamed down her face.
“Lilian, take the kids back to their room!” Bruce instructed a servant.
“Yes, Mr. Everett!” the servant answered immediately.
“Daddy, no.” The kids were forced to leave.
Roxanne seethed with anger as she watched. “You little brats, I’ll deal with each of you in the future!” she cursed in her heart.
As the children were led away, Bruce’s expression grew even grimmer.
“Bruce, please calm down. The kids are still young. They’ll understand when they’re older!” Roxanne persuaded.
Bruce’s face turned cold as he stood up and walked out.
“Bruce, where are you going? It’s so late,” Roxanne asked caringly.
“Just mind your own business!” Bruce answered without looking back.
“Bruce…” Roxanne sounded hurt.
Bruce walked toward the door, abruptly stopping. He spoke in a frigid tone to Roxanne, “Pack your things and move to Sherane Bay Villa for now!”
Roxanne was taken aback. “Why should I do that?”
Although Sherane Bay Villa was an upscale residence, it lacked the prestige of this mansion! Living here made her feel superior.
Bruce replied coldly. “The children will be living here in the future. It’s better if you stay away from them!”
Roxanne forced a fake smile. “No need! I’ll live with the children to nurture our relationship! I like them, you know.”
“There’s no need for you to bond with the children!” Bruce said coldly and left without looking back.
He wouldn’t allow Roxanne to live with his children, no matter what!
After Bruce left, Roxanne’s face fell, and she stomped her feet resentfully.
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