Chapter 47
Joanna was taken aback by Howell’s sudden action. “What are you doing? Let go of mer she singled, her voice al
Domine, who had been observing the scene, smirked sligħaly. Looks like I’ll have to step in after all. He knew, if left alone, these two would ar strangers. Trisser if Howell has the bick to mske it through this mess
Oner Howell had dragend her out into the hallway, he released her and glared at her, his voice low and tense. “What were you laughine –
Joanna shot him a quick glance, her face unreadable. “What? Can’t I Light” she replied coolly.
“How we’ll do you know what I’m like?” Howell’s face darkened, the tension in his voice unmistakable. This was a matter of his pride
Joanna rolled her eyes, not even bothering to mask her annoyance. “How you are doesn’t concem me anymore. You should ask Margot about it. Shi knows you best, doesn’t she?
The mention of Margot made Howell’s temper flare. “What does she have to do with any of thist Walt, are you sick? Why are you sering a gynecologist! Is this your excuse for wanting a divorce?” His voice rose with suspicion, the connection forming in his mind.
Joanna’s mouth fell open slightly, ready to snap back, but in the end, she closed it, her minul a whirl of confusion. Damn it. She’d been trying to
avoid him, but now it felt like she’d been caught in the act
Howell had seen her go into the gynecologist’s office. “How am I supposed to deal with this now?‘
minore careful
“Yeah, I went for a routine check–up,” she said casually, quickly covering up . “Men go out to mess around, but women need to
hat women need to protect themselves”
She sighed internally, relieved that Howell didn’t know she’d been for a prenatal check–up. From now on. I’ll have to be even
Howell furrowed his brows, ready to say something more when, just at that moment, he saw Polly, Theodora, and Margot appmaching.
Joanna’s heart sank, “Great. Now they’re going to think I’m still clinging to Howell She could already imagine their judgmental looks.
Her face turned icy as she muttered, “I’m going back to make oatmeal for Dominic. Without a second glance, she ignored them, walking past as if they were invisible.
Theodors youre rang out with irritation. “Why is she here! Is she going to taille
| Grandpa?”
It was well–known that Dominic favored Joanna more than his own granddaughters, and that always masle Theodora seethe with jealousy. She was has biological granddaughter, yet he treated Joanna like his owIL
How did you three ge re?” Howell asked, narrowing his eyes as the three women stood in front of h
“We’re here because Dominic’s sick. The housekeeper called me,” Polly responded coldly.
Polly had always been wary of Dominic.
him, their presence undeniable.
He exuded authority, and even she, despite her own power, didn’t dare overstep him. That’s why, when Dominic insisted that Howell marry Joamna, Polly had reluctantly accepted, even though she personally disagreed with the idea.
“Howell, how a Grandpa doing?” Margot added, a little more forcefully. She had her eyes and ears everywhere, especially concerning the Buckley family. She was more in the loop than the let un
“Grandpa’s fine. He’s just I getting some tests d done. You can go in and check on him, but don’t stay to long. To dny people will just tire him out,” Howell replied Batly.
Margot, sensing a slight smula, couldn’t help but feel frustrated. How come
come when joanna cante, y
you didn’t mention her disturbing I
Polly, unable to argue further, grumbled. “Tine, we’ll go see Dominic” She wasn’t about to make a sorne.
After they entered, Howell stayed where he was, ferling mething wasn’t quite rigi But he couldn’t put his finger on it
Meanwhile, Joanna had already left the hospital and gone straight to the market to buy ingredients for Dominic’s oainical
She had promised to make it for him, and she would fulfil that promise without hesitation. It wasn’t every say that Dominic asked for Ithe thus, mi she was moer than happy to oblige
She hoped that by the time she returned, those women would be gone. She really didn’t want to qui
As expected, by the tone she got back to the hospital, they were already leaving. Margui had originally planned to stay by Howell’s side, thinking it
4:11 PM c
Chapter 17
was the perfect opportunity to win him over, but Howel
Howell had sent her away.
Ty Howell waiting for that woman, Joanna” Margot thought suspiciously“After parting ways with Polly and Theodora, she slipped on some sunglasses and covenly found a spot in the corner of the hospital, keeping her eyes fixed on the VIP‘ ward entrance.
Around midday, Joanna appeared, hurrying with a thermos in hand. She looked flustered, like she was in a rush.
As soon as Howell opened the door and saw her, Margot’s heart sank. She saw the unmistakable look of affection in Howell’s eyes. It was a look Margot had never seen before.
“What is this? Margot’s lips trembled, barely able to contain the surge of anger rising within her. They’re supposed to be getting divorced! But they don’t even look like it
Her fingers curled into fists as she watched them. She wanted to approach, but remembering Howell’s earlier coldness, she hesitated. Instead, she stood frozen, glaring at the scene unfolding before her
Joanna brought the oatmeal to Dominic and started feeding him. Howell, who had just been called back to the office by Hanley for an emergency glanced at her briefly before leaving. He told Joanna to stay with Dominic and leave once he was done eating.
g reassured that he was in
Joanna stayed with Dominic, chatting with him for a while. She didn’t leave until it was almost time for his rest, feeling good hands with the professional nurse,
Once she stepped out into the bright sunlight, Joanna was relieved to be done. She was heading to her car when she noticed Margot lingering behind her, eyes narrowed.
Margot, however, wasn’t done. After Joanna had driven off, Margot took out her phone and dialed a number, her lips curving into a cold, sinister make. The tone of her voice was as sharp as a knife.
When she ended the call, she walked away from the hospital, a sense of determination in her step.
After hanging up. Margot left the hospital, her mind already focused on the next crucial step. She had something important to take care of–she was the star of this drama now
This time. Joanna had to disappear. Margot had waited for this moment for so long. She had originally planned to wait for the right opportunity, but now, the patience was gone, Joanna had pushed her limits one too many times, and Margot had finally decided it was time to act
Meanwinie, joanna, pregnant and driving cautiously, started slow. She had made sure her car seat was equipped with multiple safety features, just in case: She had planned to head home, cook something simple, then rest before meeting Isabella later that evening.
As she thought through her plans, a car suddenly sped around the corner and came straight at her.
Joanna’s eyes went wide in an instant, and without thinking, she slammed on the brakes. Hut it was too late–the cars collided with a deafening
trash
A lourd “bang chord through the air.
protective features in her seat absorbed much of the impact, sparing her and the
Joanna was thrown vidently against the steering wheel, but the prot baby
Before she could even process what had happened, the driver of the other car had already gotten out and was furiously hanging on her window.
Once Joanna steadied herself, she opened the car door.
Just as abr
is abr stepped out, a brutal blow landed from behind, knocking her unconscious in an instant. The world went black.
