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69,661	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69844}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	668598175255555	In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered.	In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews.	NO_BUTTON	https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-	523647427690922	Ink on Indy	https://facebook.com/InkOnIndy	473	0	858,941,915,716,866	2023-11-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	No button	Ink on Indy	120201778904010250	en.showsnob.com	NONE	image		https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook		2023-11-22 12:30	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404641104_695922715605664_4661830556968240599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z4uoTqIzfScAX87UsGY&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBQmyohwU0jriNzRQhDkXMiLKS_JHkAm32p7HXKBQSmoA&oe=65927F5E	person_profile			3	Ink on Indy	2023-11-22 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,429	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69426}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1803331690173030	Search <The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>❤️‍🔥🔥	Manhattan,New York city.<br /> 8:06pm.<br /> In the vip ward of a hospital, a tall silhouette of a man was seated on a cushion. His long legs that were cladded in an expensive Italian shoe, sprawled out, while looking at his neat three piece customized tailored suit he wore, gave off the fact that he was wealthy.<br /> The expensive Rolex watch he wore fitted around his wrist perfectly and gave him an endearing look, on how dripping expensive everything he was wearing was. <br /> Everything about him could only scream one thing. <br /> Money! <br /> Power! <br /> Dominance!<br /> The cold look on his face as he tried hard to not lose his temper, made him surprised because he knew that he didn't have such self control right now, not for the situation at hand that had landed him here late at night in Weill Cornell medical center.<br /> It gave off the notice to the gossiping lips of the female nurses, who couldn't help but keep his name out of their lips, as every now and then, he could hear them outside the ward, as he had his mind prepared about the news that would probably be scrolling around the news headlines about him by now.<br /> Well, it wasn't everyday that someone of such high social caliber, would grace the hospital, especially at this time of the night that it was rare to see such a man, with the exception that he wasn't here because he was injured, nor needed to see the doctor.<br /> But rather, he was here because of the young lady that was sleeping on the hospital bed, a few meters away from where he sat. It was appalling that he sat and watched her sleep, the way a lover would do to the loved ones, while hoping that they get better.<br /> But no! The woman in front of him was not his lover, nor a family member that would warrant that he gives her such attention. One that anyone who knew him better, would confess that he wasn't a man who had such a loving heart, but just like they always say, there's a first time for everything.<br /> As he wanted for her to wake up, he could slowly feel his patience running off and all he wanted to do was to jerk her up, and have her repeat what exactly was the significant conversation that had brought them both here.<br /> "Sir?" Leo, his personal assistant called for his attention, and for the first time he looked away from the red hair who was sleeping soundly, towards him, his face showing how annoyed he was, for him to interrupt his thoughts.<br /> But he had to remind himself that Leo was one of his trusted men, and the only one who could put up with a jerk like him, so he snapped at him, arrogantly.<br /> "What? Don't tell me that mother is not feeling okay, I have a lot on my table right now,Leo." He said, his cold green eyes searching Leo's own for the affirmation that he had settled everything, that brought them out here before coming over here.<br /> "That's not the point,sir. Unfortunately your grandfather has been notified about the situation." <br /> It was like a bee stung him, when he heard Leo tell him that his grandfather knows about the woman lying on the bed, and he wasted no time standing up, pushed him to the wall before grabbing him by his throat.<br /> "Who told him about her? I had everything covered, how did it get to that old snake?"He roared, but the door had to open at that moment and the doctor in charge of the young woman chose this ungodly hour to walk in.<br /> It made him move away from Leo but not without his eyes, threatening to kill him if he didn't get away from his sight, before he snapped at the doctor, he was done waiting.<br /> "I must say doctor, I am a man of little patience, but now it seems to me that you think this is a joke, but if i were you i would do everything in my willpower to wake that woman up right now." The young man pointed at the sleeping lady, it was very evident in the tone he used towards her that he loathed everything that made him be here tonight, but it's not as if he had a choice.<br /> "Actually Mr.Russo, i am afraid i can't release the result of the test without the young lady being involved here too." Dr. Rosalie said, as she looked at the intimidating eyes of Giovanni Russo, the youngest billionaire to top the business world, before then looking at her poor girl, who had no idea what trouble she was in because the young man seemed not to have any intention of being here more than just a night.<br /> But it seemed luck was on his side, because as intimidating as he looked, she couldn't let that fear overrun her instincts to do what's right, because as soon as he was about to say something else, the young lady was up and rubbing at her eyes, before she finally looked at their way.<br /> Marissa Diàz.<br /> That's her name.<br /> Her eyes widened when it fell on Giovanni, and the doctor could finally see what this was all about. But she could do nothing, since Giovanni could wipe her whole existence from the earth and that of her family, thereby she behaved.<br /> "Well, look who finally decide to wake up?" Giovanni said, unamused before he strolled over to where Marissa sat on the bed, his hands itched to strangle her to the wall, and get the truth out of her at a faster pace.<br /> But he reminded himself of the possibility of what she's saying being the truth, and besides a doctor was here after all, so he waited but rather smiled at seeing that she was scared of him.<br /> That's right, darling. You should be scared.<br /> He grinned, before looking at the doctor beckoning the woman to do her thing, to which she walked over to where Marissa sat, with her breath hitching up while she prayed in her heart if there was a god out there to hear her prayers.<br /> "The results are out, Miss Diàz and i guess congratulations are in order." Doctor Rosaline said, and looked at Marissa who touched her stomach and on cue, she smiled at her.<br /> "Congratulations Miss Diàz. You are pregnant."<br /> Chapter Two: Marissa, The Loner And Introvert Is Going To A Party.<br /> "Finally, it's a wrap."<br /> Marissa said with a yawn, as she loosened the apron around her waist, while getting her clothes from her locker room, in a haste to get home to the comfort her bed provided. She needed that desperately since today was a long day, and she couldn't wait to close her eyes even if it's just for two hours.<br /> The young lady worked as a waitress at a famous diner in the city, it was a competitive work in the sense that the popularity the diner had attracted a whole lot of customers, and ofcourse interested workers who wouldn't mind taking up the job at working at 'Malcolm' diner had made the employees over there, to step up in their work of they wanted a place right there.<br /> Marissa Diàz is an orphan, well that was what she told everyone, because considering how terrible her relationship with her mother had gotten over the years, since the death of her father. She ran away from home, to escape an abusive mother who remarried just to curb the loneliness that spranged up at the death of her father.<br /> Marissa didn't have the best life like any other girl out there can boost off, having to fend for herself at the age of sixteen, the daily struggles and battling with depression and loneliness were the only constant things happening in her life.<br /> Whereas the young lady has lost the zeal that there would ever come a time where things would get brighter in her life, just like every other girl out there, Marissa always wished for the Barbie girl lifestyle, but as always it's always a wish that never comes true.<br /> At a point, when she experienced her first heartbreak, when her first boyfriend, Ryan was banging another girl on her bed, in her room. She fell into depression and the zeal to live was gone until she met her,Sasha.<br /> "Boo!" <br /> "Sasha what the hell is wrong with you?" Marissa said, touching her chest to calm her racing heart, as she looked at her side to see her best friend laughing at her scared face.<br /> She does this everything, and she always falls victim to her playful tactics. Marissa got annoyed with her laughter, as the other girls who were present in the changing room were already leaving for the day. She took her bag and flung it at her, but she caught it " You do this every time.''Marissa said with a frustrated grunt.<br /> "And your face gets me everytime, Marie." Sasha said, coming closer as she took her clothes from her hand, while Sasha wrapped her arm around her neck as they both stood in front of the mirror."You look horrible."Sasha confessed.<br /> "This job is draining the life out of me, but i need the job i can't seem to bear the thoughts of going astray one day and Mr.pere…."<br /> Marissa's anxiety about her work took over, and she couldn't help it ,but as always Sasha was in cue to stop her.<br /> "Hey, sweetheart. It's okay, nothing is going to happen okay. You are just being paranoid about this work, you need a break." Sasha suggested, but she looked at her immediately to tell her how impossible what she was asking for wouldn't happen.<br /> "Girl, am just kidding, okay." Sasha laughed, before she relaxed her mind."But i just want to tell you that no matter what happens, I will be here for you Marissa, you have got absolutely nothing to worry about, okay?"<br /> Marissa tried to control her tears, but she wasn't strong like Sasha. Every girl needs a best friend like Sasha. God! She didn't know what she would have done without her.<br /> Sasha didn't really have a pathetic life like her, her family were among the middle rich although she hasn't really gotten to know what exactly her parents do, or the reasons why Sasha works this job with her, the only good reason she got out of her was that she needed a distraction from family problems.<br /> Marissa said nothing but hugged her," what would i do without you?" She asked rhetorically, while Sasha rubbed her back lovely.<br /> But their moment were ruined when the door was swung open, and a<br /> an angry looking Mr.Peters asked from the doorway." Ten minutes more and you get to sleep in here, Marilyn." <br /> "It's Marissa, Mr.Peters, and thanks for the update though."Marissa said with a frown on her face, she watched as he left before getting rid of her uniform. He always gets her name wrong and did she forget to say that Mr.peter hates her?<br /> "So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" Sasha asked, a little giddier than she is, and Marissa didn't need anyone to tell her what this was about.<br /> Sasha was a social butterfly, unlike her who would rather spend her free time reading romantic novels, watch binged horror movies and sleep for the rest of the day.<br /> Unlike Sasha, Marissa could say that she hated being around people, she preferred her free time and Sassha was not going to coerce her into leaving her comfort zone, no ..no. it's definitely not happening.<br /> "Oh! Please don't tell me this is what i am thinking about is?" Marissa said, while she took her purse and they were out of the diner.<br /> "Seriously Marissa, you didn't even let me tell you what it is before showing that you are not interested."Sasha complained, giving her puppy eyes so she could give in.<br /> Marissa looked away from her, but she hopped over to where her gaze was." Fine, what is it about?"<br /> "My brother's birthday is on saturday, i got invited, but i don't want to go alone. You know my family and i had been having issues…" Sasha paused, trying to find the right words to express what exactly she wanted to say.<br /> "And you are taking me along for support."Marissa completed her words.<br /> "Yeah, Sweetheart. I heard my elder brother would be present and we aren't the best cliqued brother and sister. So please, Marissa. Come with me, I promise it will be fun." Sasha begged.<br /> "I don't know Sasha, you know party and stuff aren't my thing…"Marissa tried to complain.<br /> "I know sweetheart, I know, but it's time you stop wishing to find the right person by just reading romantic novels, Marissa."<br /> Marissa rolled her eyes when she understood what this was about," I am not dating any of your brothers, Sasha. I am not good with people."<br /> "Don't say that yet, you would love it, Marissa."Sasha clapped her hands, while making a dreamy face. It was evident that she had something planned in mind, but Marissa wasn't prepared for any of her match making plans.<br /> "Yeah, as long as you keep the men away. I'm good."<br /> "So, does it mean you are coming?" Sasha's loud voice was heard, as her overexcitement made the passerby to look at the both of them, earning a cautious look from Marissa.<br /> "Do i look like i have a choice?"The young lady said, and Sasha yelped in excitement, making Marissa worried, because for someone who said that it was her brother's birthday, she's over excited.<br /> She didn't know if that's something to be bothered about, but she had to let her wandering mind rest. She gets worried easily but making going out with Sasha would not be a bad idea..<br /> So yeah, Marissa Diàz, the loner and introvert is going to a party!<br /> Chapter Three: Where Is Giovanni?<br /> New York city.<br /> ~~~<br /> "He's running late again."Edward Russo complained for the third time, to his wife who stood besides him, while trying to keep a happy face while all is not well.<br /> Apparently, they were under pressure seeing that very soon they were going going to take the words of insults thrown to them because of their immature son, Giovanni Rosso, who had refused to be on time for the private services that was being hosted in their hometown by his grandfather, has been an active member for a long time since the death of his wife.<br /> Standing besides a worried Edward Russo, who turned to look at his father engaged in a conversation with an important guest, who was doing a good job keeping his mind away from noticing that Giovanni wasn't here yet.<br /> His ever so lovely wife, Amrita Russo. The first daughter in-law to grace the family and proved her worth to the family both in business, and everything.<br /> She was the apple of the man's eyes, besides her who was trying so much not to show how panicked he was, but right now when she tried to speak up on behalf of her son, she was tackled arrogantly by him.<br /> "Come on, huni. He's probably on his way here, you know how Giovanni is, am sure Leo knows the best thing to do is to make sure he's here by all means." Amrita tried to calm Edward, when it's just for these few minutes that the reporters were busy doing a job to interview everyone present and Giovanni is not here yet.<br /> The last thing that they want right now is another scandal, that would tarnish the image of the Russo corporation. Their son, Giovanni, had made it his primal duty to be on the bad side of the media every single week.<br /> The Russo corporation was among the top five world leading oil mining companies to exist, its original founder Paul Russo was dead, his successor after his son being the man who was the reason they were gathered here today, Christian Russo.<br /> Edward being the first son of the old man, followed by his brother who was not here yet, although he's sure that his father would not miss having his whole family here, on a special occasion like this. The old man would like to invite everyone of his family, just like old times so they could dine like a loving family.<br /> "It better be just like you said, Amrita. Your son has caused me nothing but blatant headaches in the past few months, I have had enough of his immature ass, it's time he sits and assumes his responsibility as the heir to the company." Edward spat, which made her scoff at his words.<br /> "My son? Seriously Edward, you and i both know you also spoiled the boy to the wits, you can't just pin the blame on me when he starts behaving just like how daddy dearest had taught him." Amrita sneered, before looking away from him in anger.<br /> He always does this every time, when Giovanni behaves like the spoiled asshole he was, he would rather she takes the blame than him. But apparently, it was no one's fault that Giovanni was this way he is. The boy was difficult to handle, especially since he came back from the states from his studies.<br /> "Amrita..baby, I'm sorry." Edward tried to apologize, but then they were interrupted by the all familiar car that parked with a screeching sound that attracted everyone's attention over to them.<br /> The both of them didn't need any soothsayer to tell them who it was as the car door was opened by the bodyguard and Micheal, Edward's younger brother stepped out with that ever proud smile on his face.<br /> His wife, Joanna, was dressed to kill! Today was basically all about their grandfather, but she dressed like she was walking down the runway.<br /> Edward couldn't help to control his smile when he saw the annoyance that ran across his father's face seeing her. Thankfully, he wasn't the only one who didn't like the b.it.ch.<br /> The reporters were on cue to start taking pictures of them, until the next car to slide in revealed Diego, the second grandson of the Russo Family, Giovanni's cousin.<br /> "Grandpa." The bubbly one he was, as he wasted no time to run into the embrace of his grandfather, who was all smiles. No matter how bad everyone's dislike his mother, Diego was different and apparently the smile keeper of the family. Grandpa loves him.<br /> "Congratulation father, on your new hospital." Micheal said, moving forward to pay his respect to the old one.<br /> "It's not my hospital, Micheal. It belongs to the public." Christian Russo, replied back as a slight annoyance ran across his face when Joanna's voice was the next to be heard.<br /> "Congratulations, father. You didn't tell us you were back from the states?"Joanna asked as her eyes scanned across the room in the hope of finding the favorite daughter in-law, Amrita.<br /> "Maybe if you had kept in touch just like Amrita did, you would know my schedules, Judith."Christian Russo spoke harshly to her, but no one could interrupt him nor challenge him because they knew better not to do that.<br /> Joanna tried to speak up to correct the old man who didn't know her name, even after twenty years of marriage to his son. But she was held back by Micheal, who grabbed her hand as a sign to shut her up.<br /> He clearly was showing signs of Alzheimer, but no! This was no sickness or whatsoever.She knew that he was doing this in spite to remind her everyday, that she was nothing but a secretary that had seduced her boss, got pregnant and earned her space in the family register.<br /> "I don't see Edward and family, perhaps don't tell me they might have forgotten about your special day, father?" Micheal teased, a wave of happiness running through him until it disappeared when he heard his brother's voice at his back.<br /> "Finally, you all are here." Edward said with a smile, as he watched his brother grit his teeth seeing him and Amrita, until he noticed the absence of Giovanni.<br /> "Since you all are here…." Grandfather tried speaking, until he looked beyond Amrita's back to see that someone was missing.<br /> "Someone is about to be insulted." Joanna's said lowly with a chuckle, but she's sure that Amrita heard her quite alright seeing how pale she was at hearing Grandpa paused during his words.<br /> He turned instantly to look at Edward and Amrita, disappointment clearly written on his face that his favourite grandson was not here, yet and there's a big sign that he wouldn't be.<br /> "The event is about to start." Micheal reminded everyone, a satisfied grin plastered on his face.<br /> "Father, I can explain."Edward moved forward, but the look he gave him made him shut up instantly as he bent his head down in shame.<br /> Grandfather looked away from him and Amrita, towards Micheal and his family." Let's go in." While Edward had to leave with anger emitting off him, with Amrita going after him before he does something he would regret.<br /> The question on everyone's lips, where is Giovanni?<br /> Chapter Four: Narcissist Prince Charming Named Giovanni.<br /> While his parents were taking the insults of their lives at the charity event center, Giovanni Russo was asleep in his room, in between the arms of the girl he had brought home last night.<br /> He sat up with a groan, and pushed the girl away from him when he saw how clingy she was to him. This was what he hated, the ridiculous aftercare after getting what they both wanted.<br /> He's not a fool, Giovanni knew what women see at just one glimpse at him. A money bank, so instead of falling victim a second time, after surviving the first heartbreak from the woman he loved. He had given up on the quest to find love.<br /> His ex,Angela did him good and that changed everything about him. So instead of being the one who ends up getting hurt by the opposite gender, he would rather the girls fight for his attention which no woman on earth would be lucky enough to get once again.<br /> Giovanni Russo, aged twenty four years. The first grandson and heir to the great Christian Russo. A notorious playboy, who would rather spend all his money drinking and changing his girls like clothes, than to take up his responsibility as his father did.<br /> He's arrogant, a total jerk who makes everyone around him see reasons why he's such a loner. But anyway, that's how he wanted his life to be, the only thing he loved was his parents and his money.<br /> Giovanni touched his temple, a groan leaving his lips at the headache that was forming early this morning, while he scanned his eyes around his room insearch of his assistant, Leo, but the motherfxxker was nowhere to be found.<br /> He tried to sit up, but then warm pairs of hands wrapped around his waist, before he felt the body hug him from behind made him remember that he still has someone here with him.<br /> "Good morning, my love. How was your night?" The girl asked, and Goivanni being the douchebag he was, moved away when the stench from her early morning breathe hit his nostrils.<br /> "Your morning breathe didn't make me have a good night rest. Get out!" He said coldly, looking around his room for his phone. He needed to call Leo.<br /> The horrified expression on the girl's face didn't bother him, she should have known her place to talk to him like this wasn't just a one night thing.<br /> When he turned around to see that she's still in the bed, holding the bed sheets up to her chest. He became angry." Hey, didn't you hear me, I said get out. We both had a great night, and this was supposed to be a one night thing. So what else are you still waiting for?" He asked, a prideful smirk on his lips.<br /> "I.." The young woman tried to talk, but she was dumbfounded by the cold and aloof attitude coming from him. It was like she didn't expect that from him, but that's her hurting herself to say that, everyone knew Giovanni Russo.<br /> The biggest playboy in the city, so she was rather sad that she wasn't the lucky one to tell her friends that she had his attention.<br /> A bundle of cash was thrown on the bed, and she looked up to him." That would be enough for your transport, get new clothes and the remaining may keep you from whoring your ass out for the whole week." He said, a sarcastic laugh leaving his tone.<br /> "Hey! That's rude of you to call me a whore, who do you think you are?!" The girl yelled, her dignity has been insulted, and in as much as she was here because of him. She wouldn't allow him to question why she choose to live this way.<br /> How dare him question her life?<br /> Unlike him who had everything, the rich parents, a good life and whatnot. He shouldn't be an asshole to laugh at her face about her bad life.<br /> "Aww, the b.it.ch had got some fire in her." He scoffed, before he added," Now, you would learn to seal your lips, and know when to talk and who to talk to or not. I have low patience for ungrateful girls like you, now get out!" He shouted, this time around with every seriousness that had the girl scurried away for her life, but not without taking the money with her.<br /> He sighed tiredly, as he walked towards his drawer and took an aspirin drowning it down with his drink. Before the front door to his room was swung open and an impatient and worried Leo walked in.<br /> "What's got your panties in a twists, Leo. If this is about work,I am not leaving. I'm just back from the states, you can't listen to every single order from my parents." He said, turning to leave for the bathroom.<br /> "Sir, you didn't remember what today is?" Leo asked him, gulping a lump down his throat when he looked at the wall clock in his room to see how late they were.<br /> His grandfather is going to kill him!<br /> "What do you mean…" Giovanni's words was cut short, by the ringing of his phone behind the couch and he rushed up to see his father calling.<br /> What does he wants?<br /> He thought, but the worst mistake he did was by not asking Leo what was happening, by what he meant about what special thing was happening today, before he accepted the call.<br /> "Dad…"<br /> "GIOVANNI AMIR RUSSO! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!!"Edward shouted over the phone, that made him move the phone away from his ears until he caught on to something.<br /> The music playing behind the background, and his grandfather's voice shouting at his mother. His eyes widened in shock and he cut the call before turning to throw the phone at Leo, who was swift enough to catch it because he always does that.<br /> "Why didn't you tell me that today was that old man's day, you fool!" He cussed, before he ran into the bathroom.<br /> Leo said nothing while he took his time to shower, dress up and leave the house with him following behind him, as they drove down to the event arena.<br /> He was used to his ways, Giovanni was never serious with his life and everyone knew that, everyone including his grandfather, who would probably skin him alive today. He's sure of it.<br /> ------------------------------------------------------<br /> Install our App and search 🔥<The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake>🔥 to read more exciting chapters	LEARN_MORE	https://dynamic.chereads.com/noah-ssg/wn/202303091	107090068642820	Book Lovers Hub	https://facebook.com/100083240766650	19,963	1	874,977,950,591,098	2023-11-25 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	Book Lovers Hub	120200815339870645	dynamic.chereads.com	NONE	video		https://dynamic.chereads.com/noah-ssg/wn/202303091/27109457006677105+1+4+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}		2023-11-24 03:36	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404330018_333614032698869_7679565587660449329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y4ElgnS8VV0AX_-6rAt&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0R5QyimDpkR-i64PB6392mVYvGDDTff-v6VHhU7qPaA&oe=6593177A	person_profile	Book lovers hub	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405617386_863380908626623_1401296625287397993_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xCSowjacEBAAX8-eJd-&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBib8cpiPDkFTGUt7gF--ldeHaOqF4fqIz828zqkeyGRA&oe=6592E6D8	3	Book Lovers Hub	2023-11-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
67,872	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":67388}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	240397298929921	🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜	After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrth	110625302121558	LeNovel2	https://facebook.com/100095229736776	188	1	300,810,709,610,720	2023-12-13 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	LeNovel2	120205169454740427	www.yumread.com	NONE	video		https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/frvn5lvohvrthsitgifr1wsj?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}		2023-12-13 04:11	https://scontent.fcps3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409179791_1329805031000652_1113919301027345853_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=9sjPFbYQsRgAX8WqMaD&_nc_ht=scontent.fcps3-1.fna&oh=00_AfD4GImFxdH0jbAujbgapuqNS4G0GRnl-QANqq8v9reODg&oe=65933401	person_profile	LeNovel2	https://scontent.fcps3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410768884_576855231265029_5807836947363620355_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=75l1zJrgbrMAX_9WBr1&_nc_ht=scontent.fcps3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCED4Ygzcu6qzG60DsRCA_D_EmnPuWuz9pCxx11zC6fcg&oe=6591AE29	3	LeNovel2	2023-12-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,561	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69888}'	Yes	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1492941871560310	🔞Click to Read more about📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜	After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydny	114302685099444	Lereader-Excellent Novel	https://facebook.com/61550357834620	232	1	294,698,446,865,728	2023-11-23 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	Lereader-Excellent Novel	120201207901940403	yumread.com	NONE	image	Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/vtdgp52lfydnyynjhofq2iy3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}		2023-11-23 01:29	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404593703_1024057368897565_2868077685423265758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0fg4D3hgBlsAX9DbYsB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAJvZOKT0j7G8AR8VuHEpM-NlQZn_9ErWJ6YCWx18a8-A&oe=6591554E	person_profile	Lereader-Excellent Novel	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404868347_878723200194244_4118334881443007649_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_IF8EnLCf44AX-nbeRX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfALPM-X3-EiurfN2qgxx_ZFWM08WAozrewOOq3VpKMZGQ&oe=6591C05C	3	Lereader-Excellent Novel	2023-11-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,663	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69751}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	361481579718653	Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported.	Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Number 4 gave us trouble sleeping. From Peter Sutcliffe who deviously called his victims 'filth', Joanna Dennehy who targeted men, to Dennis Nilsen who lured his victims in. Here's more on our list. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported.	NO_BUTTON	https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-k	117213418078747	Explore & Engage	https://facebook.com/100094201628883	38	3	1,361,574,661,420,460	2023-11-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	No button	Explore & Engage	120200721229280167	en.kckingdom.com	NONE	image		https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook		2023-11-22 12:53	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404277972_1474047976500268_5505304021207958587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c8ws45odZQ4AX9PP3uF&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDYpzxVTsc9G0lyz0_6-D0wFCMXBarMtKaWcuzUur-T3w&oe=659272B8	person_profile			3	Explore & Engage	2023-11-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,591	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69844}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	172654779207651	In 2019, Jonelle Matthews' was found dead after she mysteriously went missing for 35 years. Her friend Deanna Ross revealed that Joanna sent a tragic secret signal the day she was kidnapped and later found murdered.	In 2019, Jonelle Matthews was discovered dead by site workers after disturbingly disappearing for 35 years. Her friend, Deanna Ross, confessed that Joanna sent a heartbreaking cryptic message the day she was kidnapped and murdered. Here's the disturbing story of Jonnell Matthews.	NO_BUTTON	https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-	109755664976719	Ginger's Notebook	https://facebook.com/100078799066083	327	5	1,002,145,114,225,208	2023-11-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	No button	Ginger's Notebook	120201779372070250	en.showsnob.com	NONE	image		https://en.showsnob.com/view/?id=jonelle-matthews-story-sho&src=facebook		2023-11-22 12:46	https://scontent.fagc3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404635050_871400307801914_6122253990712761384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FmV43zEDciYAX_AvaVs&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-1.fna&oh=00_AfCzsEuNovtL2yunR1GTy3friJ5lInTk9MWt3vebCGelLA&oe=659149E6	person_profile			3	Ginger's Notebook	2023-11-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,826	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69751}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	2755908371225642	Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported.	At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported.	NO_BUTTON	https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-k	105318458419634	Fully Delicious - Images	https://facebook.com/100069380589760	714	0	1,110,418,336,612,804	2023-11-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	No button	Fully Delicious - Images	120200721278410167	en.kckingdom.com	NONE	image		https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook		2023-11-22 12:55	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404558025_3293112430978708_5909986734546003458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tI8-4PNSIbQAX-6GmQx&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDaA3eWF0pp4Mw9S0g8TjmogwVqxnTpBJ57Ngwj9XOIcw&oe=6592C2F9	person_profile			3	Fully Delicious - Images	2023-11-22 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,496	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69494}'	Yes	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1514649339270833	40-50% OFF \| Cyber Monday Courses & Certificates	"This program has given me the vocabulary and education of what I knew deep in my soul of how incredibly powerful and healing the body is but before could not articulate it. It affirms the reason I believe with every inch of my being, that the body is the healer and when we give it time, space and permission to be, there is so much infinite wisdom. I have absolutely LOVED the diversity of the teachers, the topics and pace of the course. I would highly recommend this course for any practitioner or wisdom seeker that is looking to heal and understand the role of the body in the healing journey." – Joanna Lean (Toronto), a Certificate Program Student<br /> <br /> "I feel more grounded and present. I feel more connected to my dreams and desires. I feel more able to attain my goals. I feel more hopeful about life and the future of our planet. I look forward to continuing my wisdom seeking with Embodied Philosophy!" – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I am a lifelong student of yoga. For me, the philosophy and spirituality is the most important aspect of the study of yoga. Embodied Philosophy provides authentic lineage teachings paired effortlessly with contemporary thought and considerations." – Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> "I really appreciate being exposed to so many of the different perspectives of philosophy that are related to Yoga and philosophy that originated in India – Samkhya, Vedanta, Tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess traditions. It’s wonderful to learn from teachers who so clearly love their subject." – Turk, Wisdom School Member<br /> <br /> CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE about our Cyber Monday deals or CHOOSE YOUR COURSE NOW -->	LEARN_MORE	https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday	1640843592827570	Embodied Philosophy	https://facebook.com/embodiedphilosophy	81,379	0	1,297,378,697,476,991	2023-11-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	Embodied Philosophy	6495714867956	embodiedphilosophy.com	NONE	video	Start your New Year off with Wisdom.	https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday		2023-11-20 07:07	https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404251549_255243274214151_1221995075631680717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WH1Fh_ESmjcAX98eVkW&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfCa6BY3C8gAePM-NhuQoHvBWQ2iz4KQAK7WcIrvIfiQ2A&oe=6591D644	person_profile	Embodied Philosophy	https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402885485_879294740226766_4330294722598361797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GLtkFL8LZ_8AX9vvdhJ&_nc_ht=scontent.fosu2-2.fna&oh=00_AfAkWiXZDm9RDt300Ujzcrb1SkszX7Acgw6J8oVXRKMs7A&oe=659145BA	3	Embodied Philosophy	2023-11-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
68,753	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":68110}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	819261766624277	Leonis Summer Houses Mykonos – A complex of 4 houses, 2 studios, 1 suite and 1 villa, built according to the traditional Mykonian architecture in a 5000 square meters field.	Time flies and, before you can say “suntan”, this hotelier will once again be taking care of every single detail, so that you get to have the most incredible holidays in #mykonos.<br /> <br /> If you haven’t picked your sea view room yet (don’t forget that ALL rooms within Leonis Summer Houses offer a breathtaking sea view), then you should probably head over at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonis.gr%2F&h=AT2XmCo61nP55h6KbRToALpbapfUWUIeJvFeNtYRKJNvKIK9f_PzrrrZyNJZD_qKRGEeXgBpl5FZgJPQCjrvlLo4pyfH2zMO5vQ6HE7Ab7fWOo2n0bn3O2NWvljv6yhotq7Z3HkEcy_Qcv3EF3dDx83HIgKbLVitwFU2mg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">www.leonis.gr</a> or send your request at welcome@leonis.gr.<br /> <br /> Season premiere 20 April 2023	BOOK_TRAVEL	https://leonis.gr/	311136718916927	Leonis Summer Houses	https://facebook.com/LeonisMykonos	9,128	1	2,866,576,160,148,655	2023-12-07 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Book now	Leonis Summer Houses	120203672218000230	leonis.gr	NONE	image	Joanna and Orfeas always shared a passion for traveling and they loved the sea. They learned how to sail and they loved to cruise around the Greek islands. The island that had a special place in their heart was Mykonos, which they discovered long before people started yelling “Mykonooooos” on qu...	https://leonis.gr/		2023-11-30 07:31	https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406374327_6408297359270469_5252889787024315263_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gJ2iTKmMQoAAX8fkZ4G&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDFLdOha1kZ5UqFyt4dmKTn79q3mTDLoqWkggY1nRgG7g&oe=65931712	person_profile	www.leonis.gr	https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406233204_6460083070763301_3150064974303887988_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7yqUX_xAXnsAX-zfJcA&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCxAQdL8BKpwpigPk4b9TAomO7uCLNU4dp9cakJMb8u5A&oe=6592BABD	3	Leonis Summer Houses	2023-11-30 02:00	View Edit Delete
67,461	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":67458}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	891193462282413	Romantic novel💗	Chapter 1 His Death<br /> "Tristan Duran died."<br /> "It's said that he died of illness. You were betrothed to him before you were born, so the Duran family insists that you should marry him."<br /> "There's no need for a wedding. I'll have someone take you to the Duran's place. You'll be Tristan's wife from today on." Miranda Shulman, her stepmother, took a sip of coffee on the sofa, looked up at the rustically dressed girl, and continued lightly, "You should know that we brought you back for this marriage."<br /> "Yes," Renee Fletcher, with dejected eyes, replied in a low voice.<br /> She knew that she was back for the marriage between the Fletcher family and the Duran family. The Fletcher family couldn't bear to see Joanna Fletcher suffer in the Duran family, so they brought Renee back from the countryside.<br /> At the age of 15, Renee learned that she was a true member of the Fletcher family, while Joanna took her place and lived with the Fletcher family for fifteen years. Joanna was intelligent, outstanding, and beautiful, and the Fletcher family had fond feelings toward her. For her sake, the Fletcher family left Renee in the countryside for four years despite knowing the truth.<br /> The Fletcher family finally brought Renee back today, only to let her marry a dead man on Joanna's behalf.<br /> Miranda checked the time and said, "The Duran family's cars should have come. You can leave now."<br /> Renee pursed her lips and muttered, "My dad and my brothers..."<br /> "They are all very busy and don't have time to see you," Miranda said with a frown. "Don't you know that it's Joanna's graduation ceremony today?"<br /> Before Renee could speak again, Miranda impatiently urged, "Alright. Just go."<br /> Several luxury cars were parked outside the Fletcher's villa. Renee got in one of them and left the house where she stayed for less than thirty minutes.<br /> Miranda watched as the cars drove away and sighed, "What rotten luck."<br /> Marla Woods, a maid of the Fletcher family, said, "Renee's biological mother died long ago. You didn't have to come to see her."<br /> Miranda sneered, "So what if her biological mother died? Everyone knows that I'm the hostess of the Fletcher family, but I don't have any children of my own. Anyway, Renee is a legitimate daughter. If I didn't come, others would gossip behind my back.<br /> "Well, let's not talk about this. After what happened to the Duran family, who knows if Renee can survive there? As her stepmother, I have to come to see her for the last time."<br /> ***<br /> The Duran family, boasting a history of hundreds of years, was the most prestigious in Ampleshire. Now, their mansion was permeated with a solemn atmosphere with flags hung in the hall. Servants were dressed in black, and many guests came to offer their condolences. It was truly absurd that Renee came as Tristan's wife.<br /> "Is that Mr. Duran's wife? She should've just come back from the countryside. Look how vulgar she is," a guest whispered.<br /> "Mr. Duran's grandma loved him dearly. He didn't get married when he was alive, so she decided to marry this girl to him after his death. That's why... This girl is unlucky."<br /> "I don't think so. Since Mr. Duran is dead, she can live longer in the Duran's place. But if Mr. Duran was alive, I bet she couldn't live here for more than three days!"<br /> Hyman Hayes, the butler of the Duran family, seemed to have not heard these discussions. He led Renee into the mourning hall and said expressionlessly, "Mrs. Duran, please kneel and guard the coffin here."<br /> Renee obediently knelt on the cushion. As she looked up, she saw a black coffin and a black-and-white portrait in its front.<br /> Chapter 2 My Fiancée<br /> When Tristan was alive, he was influential in Ampleshire. He was unpredictable, ruthless, and tyrannical, being the terror of all people. After his death, he still looked murderous in his portrait.<br /> But he was good-looking. One could see his sharp features even from his portrait. His cold and emotionless eyes made people dare not look at him, so very few people noticed a small mole below the corner of his left eye.<br /> Frightened by the look in Tristan's eyes, Renee lowered her head. Hyman said, "Mrs. Duran, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Hyman then left quickly. Renee remained kneeling in place. Everyone who came to offer comfort would take a glance at Renee, either indifferently or curiously. It wasn't until late at night that the mourning hall quieted down, and the servants had gone to sleep in their rooms.<br /> Renee was left alone in the mourning hall. Tristan's coffin was less than three meters away.<br /> Renee didn't have any food or water the whole day, and her knees were sore from kneeling. After confirming that there was no one around, she stood up and gently pounded her knees.<br /> It was already June, but Renee still felt a bit cold in a thin dress. The wind brought a faint floral fragrance. Renee touched her stomach.<br /> She was starving.<br /> Renee's eyes were glued to the fruits and pastries on the table. After hesitating for a while, she walked over, bowed with her hands clasped together, and said softly, "I'm hungry. Please lend me an apple. I'll pay you back later."<br /> She reached out. When she was about to touch the apple, her wrist was grasped by a big hand with distinct joints.<br /> Renee was startled, with goosebumps on her back. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm starving. I..."<br /> She thought she was caught by a servant of the Duran family, but after she apologized, she heard a casual but pleasant voice say, "Did you get my permission to steal my apple?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> Those things were for Tristan. Why did this person say that?<br /> Renee stiffened and raised her head little by little, only to see a tall man.<br /> The man wore a black shirt and had wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a faint smell of blood. His face was handsome and sharp, and there was a small yet inexplicably beautifu mole under the corner of his left eye.<br /> Renee widened her eyes and said, "You're..."<br /> Tristan arched an eyebrow and glanced at the petite girl in a rustic dress. Her long hair flopped over her face, making it difficult for Tristan to see her clearly. Such an ordinary girl would easily get lost in the crowd.<br /> "Are you my..." Tristan paused and continued, "fiancée?"<br /> Renee burst into tears and sobbed, "I'm hungry. Boohoo... Why are you so stingy? I just want to eat an apple, but you turn into a ghost and scare me..."<br /> Renee's cry was so loud. "Tsk." Tristan covered Renee's mouth with one hand and put the other around her waist. Then he lifted Renee onto the coffin effortlessly and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying, or I'll break your legs."<br /> Renee nodded with tears in her eyes.<br /> Tristan loosened his grip and asked, "How old are you? Can't you tell whether I'm alive or dead?"<br /> Chapter 3 Hide in the Coffin<br /> Only then did Renee realize that the man in front of her had a normal temperature, and he felt a bit hot.<br /> "You're not dead..." Renee hurriedly turned to look at the coffin where she was sitting. "So..."<br /> Tristan glanced at the coffin and raised his eyebrows. "I'm also curious about what's inside. Do you want to take a look?"<br /> Renee was so scared that she threw herself into Tristan's arms. "No, I don't... Put me down..."<br /> Tristan thought that Renee was like a bunny kicking its legs. He wasn't a good person in the first place, so he asked coldly, "Do you know what other people say about me?"<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> "If you make me angry, I'll have someone put you in the coffin," Tristan threatened in an arctic voice. "You'll be buried alive."<br /> Renee was shocked.<br /> Tristan lifted Renee down the coffin. As soon as Renee found her footing, she wanted to run away, but Tristan took her by the collar and pulled her back. "Stand here and watch."<br /> Renee didn't want to see what was inside the coffin at all. She said in a low voice, "Mr. Duran, this is your coffin. Don't you know what's inside?"<br /> "I just came back from finishing my work," Tristan sneered. "I didn't expect to attend my funeral."<br /> It seemed that those people really wanted Tristan to die. They got some false news and immediately held a funeral for him.<br /> The coffin wasn't sealed, so Tristan could push the lid open easily. Renee closed her eyes right away, but Tristan sneered, "There are just a few clothes. What's there to be afraid of?"<br /> Renee's eyelashes fluttered. She screwed up her courage and opened her eyes, only to see a few clothes in the coffin.<br /> Before Renee could speak, she heard footsteps. Tristan frowned and looked outside the mourning hall. The next thing Renee knew, she was pulled into the coffin.<br /> Renee opened her eyes wide. Tristan rested one hand on the coffin and climbed in. The coffin was more than enough for a person, but it was too crowded for the two of them. Tristan was tall with long legs. When he closed the coffin, Renee was forced to curl up in his arms, and she could hear his heartbeat.<br /> "Mr. Duran..."<br /> Tristan covered Renee's mouth in the darkness, forcing her to swallow her words.<br /> "It's strange..." a voice said in the mourning hall. "Where's the girl from the Fletcher family?"<br /> "No one wants to stay in the mourning hall in the middle of the night. She may have gone somewhere else."<br /> "What bad luck..." someone spat. "Why are we assigned to replace the wick?"<br /> "Stop that," said the other person in a low voice. "When Mr. Duran was alive, everyone was afraid of him. Now that he's dead, he may have turned into a ferocious ghost. If he hears what you said..."<br /> There was a moment of silence, followed by a rustling sound. The two servants should have replaced the wick. "Let's go. This place may bring us bad luck."<br /> As the sound of footsteps faded away, Tristan moved his hand away from Renee's mouth. Renee's face turned red. Tristan asked, "Why do you smell so good?"<br /> Renee was stunned.<br /> "Do you wear perfume?" Tristan frowned.<br /> The two of them were jammed in the narrow coffin. Tristan spoke in Renee's ear, making Renee's ear redden. She grasped her hem and said, "No, no."<br /> But she indeed smelt good.<br /> The air was filled with her sweet scent.<br /> "Mr. Duran..." Renee began in a low voice, "Why do we have to hide in the coffin?"<br /> Chapter 4 She's My Wife<br /> "If they saw me, I'd make headlines tomorrow," said Tristan coldly.<br /> "But..." Renee stated seriously. "You don't need to bring me along."<br /> Tristan was rendered speechless.<br /> "Tsk. I forgot it," he thought to himself.<br /> Renee moved uncomfortably. "Let's go out."<br /> Tristan pushed open the coffin and climbed out of it. Renee was sweaty, so her soft hair was plastered to her fair cheeks. She panted heavily and leaned over the coffin, looking pitifully at Tristan. "Mr. Duran, I can't get out on my own."<br /> Tristan leaned against the coffin and casually remarked, "It's none of my business."<br /> Renee was about to cry in anger. "But you pulled me in..."<br /> Tristan remained indifferent. "So what?"<br /> Renee snapped incredulously, "You're being unreasonable!"<br /> No one dared to talk to Tristan like this over the years. Renee had just returned from the countryside and hadn't seen much of the world, so she didn't know how influential Tristan was in Ampleshire and dared to accuse him.<br /> Tristan narrowed his eyes and bent over to look at Renee. "I can help you out."<br /> Renee's eyes lit up.<br /> Tristan smiled, "What did you just call me?"<br /> Renee bit her lip and replied, "Mr. Duran. Everyone calls you that."<br /> "They're not related to me," Tristan said. "You're my wife, not one of them."<br /> Renee was stunned. "What should I call you then?"<br /> Tristan raised his eyebrows. His handsome face appeared alluring in the moonlight. "Think about it yourself."<br /> Renee blushed.<br /> "Mr. Duran," Shelton Quinn, Tristan's assistant, called out. When he saw Tristan, he breathed a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here? The news of your death has spread. Everyone is anxiously waiting for you."<br /> Tristan said, "I've never attended my funeral before, so I wanted to experience it."<br /> He glanced at Renee, who was still sitting dumbfounded in the coffin, and turned around to leave. "Since they're waiting for me, I have to..."<br /> Before he could finish speaking, Renee choked out, "Honey... Boohoo. Please help me out..."<br /> Tristan paused. Shelton widened his eyes and repeated, "Honey?"<br /> Tristan laughed and looked back at Renee. "So you know what you should call me, right?"<br /> Renee was worried that Tristan would leave her in the coffin. Her nose turned red from crying. She extended her hand and pleaded, "Honey..."<br /> Tristan suppressed his laughter. Renee did whatever she was asked to like an obedient bunny.<br /> Tristan reached out and helped Renee out. When he turned around, he saw Shelton's surprised look. "Mr. Duran, I didn't know you liked this."<br /> Shelton began to imagine what Tristan and Renee did in the coffin.<br /> Tristan's face darkened as he asked icily, "Don't you know her?"<br /> Shelton was enlightened. "Oh, she's from the Fletcher family..."<br /> "Hmm." Tristan placed Renee on the ground. Renee wiped her tears when Tristan pinched her soft cheek. "Don't tell anyone that I'm still alive."<br /> Renee nodded.<br /> Her cheek was quite soft and tender, so Tristan pinched it mischievously again. Seeing Renee scrunch her brows, he finally let go of her and stuffed the apple into her mouth. He said cheerfully, "Shelton, she's my wife from now on, got it?"<br /> <br /> Book ID：4897	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.z	131765466694785	FavorNovel	https://facebook.com/FavorNovel	541	0	1,165,169,194,462,119	2023-12-23 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Install now	FavorNovel	120204774769530385	play.google.com	NONE	image	Read good romance novels and dive in Love stories.	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhangyue.read.favornovel		2023-12-15 03:38	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409850935_379346391268301_3984958208843198676_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p5cg1IoiTT8AX-3uMl0&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCXdFGVGOuV0s8rSQ7I7YG3QgotH3gruEZVD13lZ1gn7g&oe=6592D9D7	person_profile	FavorNovel	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/411102115_870648201387701_1027004953492587972_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XXwgzkPwRwwAX9eCddT&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD7a1qAEwAMQ8mo6McE2i52omYd2o2aRvBknnPfZweBsA&oe=659281EC	3	FavorNovel	2023-12-15 02:00	View Edit Delete
70,092	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69239}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	201197972957545	🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜	🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app)	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgf	101489936134366	OasisStory	https://facebook.com/100087803393468	2,960	3	336,913,075,650,187	2023-11-21 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	OasisStory	120201539250210115	yumread.com	NONE	image	Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}		2023-11-21 00:24	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402098235_645582011101053_763335977911357003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0bo9doNPRxcAX-7wV0u&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBe0ramuLdR0f-orQxaadYo7OUcq-1zCYm0WaOLgj_IDg&oe=65914C42	person_profile	OasisStory	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404523608_1141460937008526_8615582926128067521_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tjDiAgfjj74AX_Uzl3o&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBtz0ExaZ3u27WXl-3cp1QsnME8e96FcCgfkfdKXJ3TuQ&oe=65926EBC	3	OasisStory	2023-11-21 02:00	View Edit Delete
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67,481	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":67484}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1081394426547555	👉Click to Read more about📜<The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife>📜	After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here!<br /> Install the APP to search for the title "<br /> The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife”🤩🤩	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulp	101928486111131	YummyStory	https://facebook.com/100088816688674	194	0	1,240,254,610,114,588	2023-12-15 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	YummyStory	120204011751330506	www.yumread.com	NONE	video		https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/qq41bo2f4vulppwrw5wskr1i?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}		2023-12-15 04:42	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409781642_345985614691348_6392871215556371807_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YEA-H0UbbPEAX9wNtzZ&_nc_oc=AQle8km8WV08FU_4EW9gJEojnT7tm1bxRuIjpjIirQZFiBKTWHKG7Iid-NEf4ki1WPs&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAjhsNZvmC8z4DHsnA1nSQCxV5YL8x3Wg1LOHreIhFf_A&oe=65919869	person_profile	YummyStory	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410213381_2252608621595632_8397726778152540258_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-ACKSdkTLQsAX-hToVg&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBIH906mq4ncP8rDU2v-mZfeXXaJeopVPNKWICBYwSOEg&oe=65930E87	3	YummyStory	2023-12-15 02:00	View Edit Delete
68,808	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	749917753732646	Join Chip and Joanna	The best gifts keep giving. Donate to help the kids of St. Jude today.	DONATE_NOW	https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N575301.19	6435441794	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	https://facebook.com/stjude	2,826,776	4	651,575,217,055,259	2023-12-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Donate now	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	6476729275525	stjude.org	NONE	video		https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N575301.1960500FACEBOOKAD/B26771615.370237279;dc_trk_aid=561206512;dc_trk_cid=205408967;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;ltd=;dc_tdv=1		2023-11-29 12:53	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406245210_1407381813461430_3453301633332921659_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lF98YZ1vnFkAX8Pf-pD&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBO_DgfQiRpLJu2yh8r51IKx62lI__yAe6oxgZdSWzeow&oe=6592448A	person_profile	St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/399588804_1087543152416865_4711166481303681378_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7M7WmSStFdoAX_eRyzA&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAj1Y9YcA8ltadhnrYrBUiXjbTApVPxJw89eoz7-CLtIA&oe=6591EDBC	3	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	2023-12-05 02:00	View Edit Delete
68,870	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":68775}'	Yes	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	731981541696134	After 22 Years, Chip & Joanna Gaines Make A Devastating Announcement	After 22 years together, Chip & Joanna Gaines come forward with heartbreaking news	NO_BUTTON	https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers	103144986091260	CMG Daily-Choices US	https://facebook.com/cmg.dailychoices.us	113	2	652,508,526,257,153	2023-12-04 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	No button	CMG Daily-Choices US	120201714798430520	domesticatedcompanion.com	NONE	image	Announcement that stunned fans.	https://www.domesticatedcompanion.com/fixer-uppers-chip-and-joanna-gaines-extraordinary-life-story/		2023-11-29 03:39	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406123740_730621145161837_390819043400759784_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wsiyr2qlKIoAX-TwC2k&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBled97u67aXJGWzhPb56Bo3eokV5VTk6nUL1oae9qeNA&oe=6591D23F	person_profile			3	CMG Daily-Choices US	2023-11-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
67,191	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":67174}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1027966948491563	❤️‍🔥Love Born From A Contract	😍😍The Billionaire went abroad for treatment because of childlessness. But he saw a shrunken version of himself on the plane. He roared surprisingly, "where's your mom!"❤️‍🔥	LEARN_MORE	https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs0	140625782461340	Kalostv_official	https://facebook.com/61551046398055	1,184	1	1,345,683,639,645,671	2023-12-19 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	Kalostv_official	120202473306720743	website.kalostv.com	NONE	video		https://website.kalostv.com/share/middle/xexwtsvs014s5h4poe0ftw40?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}		2023-12-19 02:50	https://scontent.fmem1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410000447_1059022068765068_1067591605929920498_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lmUIDh02ycQAX_LOhTw&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-2.fna&oh=00_AfB_2WNo6Ohu0Kcv6MEyU-CE-SfakieqkSBNhTu9rNh-rw&oe=6591D8D3	person_profile	Kalostv_official	https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/410012690_1019882445748911_125369922221432771_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DQn1Y4519IcAX-QWJLZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCDvFHBgQ9Yzjx9E9kefSj93qtTvr_TyUy6nPuoGIdSQQ&oe=659169F4	3	Kalostv_official	2023-12-19 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,683	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69751}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	683402680552275	Warning: 17+ disturbing stories of the world's most notorious serial killers. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported.	At 62, a mother confessed her desire to know why her son killed 15 men. Betty Scott wrote numerous unanswered letters to Dennis Nilsen, who had a sinister habit of luring people in and subjecting them to horrifying fates. Here are the world's most notorious serial killers, including Peter Sutcliffe, Joanna Dennehy, and many more. Disclaimer: These criminals did bad things to people. They should never be praised or supported.	NO_BUTTON	https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-k	101770051918501	Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing	https://facebook.com/100070822398497	320	0	689,072,286,699,313	2023-11-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	No button	Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing	120200721075470167	en.kckingdom.com	NONE	image		https://en.kckingdom.com/view/?id=parents-serial-killers-kck&src=facebook		2023-11-22 12:48	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404304695_307157035603840_685326367727654247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TyHd4-SmwfEAX-LhUc1&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAUdiGqhUl_14sMkF_DBNMh2zgJsdRIUyfalzb3eC1SLA&oe=659184AB	person_profile			3	Bob's Hideout - Sightseeing	2023-11-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
66,771	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69211}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1524451308340519		Sunday morning worship	MESSAGE_PAGE		575104275932120	The Greatest Gift	https://facebook.com/wearethegreatestgift	1,262	1	714,601,790,630,398	2023-12-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Send message	The Greatest Gift	6507927835937		NONE	video			{"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Is anyone available to chat?","response":""},{"title":"I'm interested. Can you tell me more?","response":""},{"title":"Can I learn more about your business?","response":""}],"text":"Hi! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"}	2023-12-24 11:54	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/412848642_1530615221071268_997954114033311813_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2nufoX4JW18AX-glX73&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBbT6jdxJfI6griEmcDLCGSiaie6H0MQZCDp_-PlbQ-FQ&oe=659322E3	person_profile			3	The Greatest Gift	2023-12-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
69,292	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":69239}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	726571152715601	🔞 Click to read on📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜	🌶🌶🌶After their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene.<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. It had been four years.<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> Until four years later, Joanna came back with her sons and another man.<br /> Even though they were divorced, Bruce still felt cheated on and even betrayed.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> It was midnight, and the raindrops were pounding the window.<br /> Inside a house, a man said coldly, "sign the divorce papers! As compensation, I will give you 100 million dollars in alimony."<br /> "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" asked Joanna Haynes timidly. She had always been a humble servant in front of him.<br /> "Roxy's back, and she doesn't want to see you! It's time for our marriage to end. So you have to go!" Bruce Everett said, crossing his long legs and leaning back on the couch. He was as handsome as a classical Greek sculpture, but the look on his face was as cool as ever.<br /> Joanna's pale lips quivered as if she had fallen into the icy water. She asked with shock, "You're divorcing me because she's back? Is our marriage nothing but a joke to you?"<br /> "You were not the one I wanted to marry in the first place, and you drove Roxy away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now that she's back, I won't make the same mistake. Hurry up and sign the papers! 100 million dollars for two years of your pathetic life. You should consider it a bargain." Bruce had always been good at hurting her with words.<br /> "I... What will happen if I don't sign them?" Joanna asked bitterly.<br /> "Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."<br /> As heir to the richest family in the Greyport city, Bruce had always been capable of doing whatever he liked. Who would dare to stand up to him anyway?<br /> Two years ago, Joanna's family decided to get connected with the Everetts by marriage.<br /> However, at the engagement banquet of Bruce and Roxanne, Joanna's step-sister, the man was drugged. Later in the lounge, Bruce mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept with each other.<br /> The next day, the scandal of the Haynes group's eldest daughter hooking up with her brother-in-law was all over the newspaper.<br /> Roxanne Haynes' mental state broke, and she was sent to a nursing home abroad for treatment.<br /> Everyone took Joanna as the most shameless homewrecker, pointing fingers at her for sleeping with her brother-in-law.<br /> Bruce hated her even more and decided that Joanna was the one who drugged him and climbed onto his bed.<br /> Yet, the Everett family and the Haynes family shared a friendship for generations. Moreover, this marriage was meant to deepen the connection.<br /> Hence, the elders of both families, Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, insisted on Bruce and Joanna getting married.<br /> The past two years of marriage had been a living hell for Joanna.<br /> Her tolerance and affection did not make it any better. In return, she got more humiliation and torture. Joanna was exhausted, both mentally and physically.<br /> So what if Bruce wanted a divorce? She'd had enough anyway!<br /> "Fine, I'll sign them, but I have a request."<br /> "Spit it out then!" Bruce believed that Joanna was thinking about more money!<br /> After all, that was what she, a scheming woman, could only care about.<br /> "I want you to sleep with me as a real lover does for once. For the past two years, every time you've been with me, you've called out Roxanne's name. Yeah, you've made me feel like I'm the worst woman in the world, and I've had enough! I'm your wife, and I want you to call out my name while sleeping with me for the last time. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" For the first time, Joanna was screaming hysterically and trembling with anger.<br /> Each time in the past two years, Bruce would deliberately call out the wrong name! He had sex with her simply to punish and humiliate her. There was no love in it at all!<br /> "Oh, stop the nonsense. There's someone waiting for me downstairs..."<br /> Joanna snorted with self-mocking laughter.<br /> Then it probably was Roxanne who was waiting for him downstairs!<br /> "She can wait a little longer. She's been waiting for two years, and I think she can be patient enough for another few minutes. Do what I said or not. Suit yourself. I don't mind the media writing stories about me again!"<br /> Bruce hated being threatened the most. His thin lips curled into a sneer. A few seconds later, he replied, "Fine, I'll do it. But don't you regret it, Joanna!"<br /> Bruce jerked to stand up, seized her by the blouse, and pulled her over violently.<br /> And then...<br /> Her stockings were ripped apart...<br /> The man did not even give her a warning before hurting her!<br /> "AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes in pain!<br /> Bruce was as ruthless as ever, almost cruel.<br /> He never cared if it hurt her or not. Or maybe watching her suffer simply pleased him!<br /> Good! Very good!<br /> She would remember this, remembering the man's cruelty to her for the rest of her life.<br /> "Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?"<br /> He finally called her name as he was on top of her.<br /> Though it was quite a humiliation, she could finally get rid of the depression that haunted her for two whole years.<br /> Joanna felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she said in a heartbroken tone, "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"<br /> Bruce had heard what she said but chose to ignore it. He caught her jaw contemptuously, looked down at her face, and sneered!<br /> She was... beautiful!<br /> This woman had such a pretty and innocent face, but her mind was filled with filth and schemes.<br /> That was why her so-called love for him would only make him sick.<br /> "Sign the divorce papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!"<br /> Having said that, Bruce left without looking back, leaving her lying on the floor in a mess.<br /> Two months later...<br /> In a hospital.<br /> "Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you are pregnant with more than one. But I suggest you give up one or two of the fetuses, or there will be too many at risk!"<br /> Giving up?<br /> No, she would not take away the right to live from any of her children!<br /> It was her baby and hers alone! One way or another, she was gonna give birth to them and raise them right...<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 2 The Return Of Joanna<br /> Four years later.<br /> In the intensive-care unit of a hospital.<br /> "I'm sorry, we tried everything we could, but Raymond isn't getting any better. You should go inside and bid farewell to him!"<br /> Shaun Haynes frowned worriedly and said, "Doc, will you please try something else? If my father can't make it, all the properties of the Haynes family will be bequeathed to the government... oh, what to do... none of us have even seen Joanna over the years. Damn it, and my father, too. We don't know what he was thinking. How could he ignore his grandsons who keep him accompanied every day while only caring for that wretched daughter of mine!"<br /> Everyone in the Haynes family was miserable these days.<br /> Raymond, Shaun's father, drafted an odd will on his deathbed.<br /> He left 51% of the Haynes Group to his eldest granddaughter, Joanna. As for the other members of the Haynes family, they would inherit only 10%.<br /> In other words, Joanna would become the largest shareholder of the Haynes Group.<br /> Yet, according to the additional condition to the will, if Joanna did not show up before Raymond's death, all the properties of the Haynes family would go straight to the government.<br /> So, the Haynes family had been looking for Joanna desperately for these days.<br /> However, it was like Joanna had disappeared from the world!<br /> No one ever heard from her and saw her even once since she and Bruce got divorced.<br /> "The way I see it, that girl is simply going against us on purpose! No one knows where the hell she has been for all those years!"<br /> Shaun's second wife, Ingrid Haynes, was cursing furiously, and her face twisted a little.<br /> Back then, she, with the twins in her belly, kicked Joanna and Joanna's mother out of the family. Then Ingrid gave birth to her third son, thinking that her position in the family was absolutely secured.<br /> She had never expected that she would have nothing in the end.<br /> Of all three children of hers, the old man still favored that Joanna girl.<br /> "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's awake!"<br /> "Joann... my Joanna..." Raymond had been in a coma for more than a dozen days. His hours were numbered.<br /> And before his death, his only concern was for his eldest granddaughter, Joanna.<br /> Joanna had been missing for four years, and that worried Raymond so much. He even suspected that Ingrid might have somehow murdered his beloved granddaughter.<br /> "Dad, aren't Rick, Ryan and Roxy all your grandchildren? Your will is not fair! You basically leave nothing to them! They might as well just go out on the street and beg for a living if you insist on donating everything to the government!"<br /> "Joann... Let me see Joann. You won't get a penny before that..."<br /> Ingrid shouted in a low voice, "It's been four years, Raymond! Who knows where she's gone? Plus, if she really cares for you, how can she not show up to see you for the last time?"<br /> A hint of impatience crossed Roxanne's eyes, and she couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, do you know where my sister has been?"<br /> Bruce froze because he did not know the answer to this question.<br /> Four years ago, after their divorce, Bruce thought Joanna was going to keep harassing him or at least make a scene!<br /> Unexpectedly, the next day, Joanna moved out. She took nothing with her but her IDs, not even the bank card that had 100 million dollars in it.<br /> And in these four years, there had been no news of her at all. Of course, as proud as Bruce was, he never contacted her either.<br /> It had been four years!<br /> Still, Bruce didn't believe she would let go so easily! He had prepared so many plans to get rid of her as long as she showed up. Yet it turned out that he didn't need any of them!<br /> She just disappeared from his world completely.<br /> "Joann... Joann!"<br /> "Oh, come on, Grandpa's dying! Go get the doctors..."<br /> The ECG monitor told everyone that Raymond's heartbeat was stopping. In tears, his family members all gathered around the bed!<br /> They were crying, not for Raymond's approaching death, but for the properties that were about to be donated!<br /> Tap, tap, tap...<br /> From the hospital corridor came the sound of high heels!<br /> Creak.<br /> The door of the ward was pushed open.<br /> The one who came in was wearing a custom-made white suit! A limited-edition bag was in her hands, and the oversized sunglasses covered most of her face. Her slender legs were long enough, but the high-heeled shoes brought them out even more.<br /> She walked in with the ice-cold-beauty sort of vibe, seeming to cause the temperature in the ward to drop a few.<br /> "Who is this woman? Did we know her? Who allowed her to be here?"<br /> "It's me. I'm here to see my grandpa!" Joanna took off her sunglasses slowly and walked towards the bed.<br /> "Joanna!" The others all gasped.<br /> She had changed so much.<br /> Her long dark hair that she used to keep straight had become curly brown. It used to reach her waist, but now the end of it was dancing around her shoulder. She had changed completely from the next-door sweet girl to a mature, sexy career lady!<br /> What was even more remarkable was that Joanna appeared to be much fitter than before. Meanwhile, the innocence in that pair of eyes had also been emptied. By simply looking into her eyes, one could tell that she must have experienced a lot in the past years!<br /> "Joanna? Oh, finally, Joanna! The Haynes family will be ruined if you don't show up..."<br /> For the first time ever, all the members of the Haynes family were so glad to see Joanna.<br /> "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm sorry I'm late!"<br /> "Joann," Raymond called out and hardly opened his eyes, "I'm glad that you are safe and alive. Oh, I can finally be relieved..."<br /> With that, Raymond reached out, but the next second, his hand fell back on the bed weakly, his head tilted, and his eyes shut!<br /> Beep!<br /> The ECG was beeping, declaring Raymond's death!<br /> "Grandpa? Grandpa!" Joanna called out, tears rolling down her cheeks.<br /> She knew that her grandpa was the only Haynes that ever cared about her!<br /> "Ah, come on, stop those fake tears! You would have been here long ago if you ever cared about grandpa! Now that it's time to talk about inheritance, you came?" said Shaun's eldest son, Derick. The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.<br /> He had never taken Joanna as his elder sister, and now that she was the biggest beneficiary of Raymond's legacy, Derick hated Joanna even more!<br /> "Enough of that. Call someone and get the funeral arranged first!" said Shaun. Reasonably grieving as he patted Joanna on the shoulder. "Joann, now that you're back, move back home!"<br /> Ingrid's lips curled in disdain, but she was saying merrily, "That's right, come and live with us! Also, your grandfather made a will on his deathbed. He wants you to inherit 51% of the Haynes Group. The illness must have confused his brain. How could he leave such a large enterprise to a girl who knows nothing about it? Joann, you're still young and dumb. Just let your father continue to run the business."<br /> Ingrid said it as if Joanna was meant to follow her instructions. Deep down, Ingrid was convinced that Joanna was just as stupid as her mother!<br /> By the time Joanna moved back to their house, she would be in Ingrid's full control.<br /> Joanna was expressionless. She said coldly, "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to take care of grandpa first."<br /> "Yeah, yeah, you're right on this. Raymond's funeral is the most important thing now. Everything else can be postponed."<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 3 Jaydon Grimm<br /> It was late afternoon after the mortuary house picked up Raymond's body.<br /> Joanna walked out of the hospital with the others.<br /> "Where do you live? My driver will give you a ride!" Bruce said. His voice was kind of hoarse because Joanna had not spoken to him once before this.<br /> Joanna smiled politely and shook the car keys in her hand. "Thanks, but I drove here."<br /> The indifferent look on her face made it look like she was simply being polite to a total stranger.<br /> Yet Roxanne took it that Bruce was hitting on Joanna. Her face fell, and quickly, she held Bruce's arm affectionately, saying, "Joann, why don't you move back in with us? At least, you don't have to be alone, and..."<br /> "It's easier for me to stay in a hotel. Bye!" Joanna waved politely and headed for the underground parking.<br /> Soon, a silver Bentley pulled out of the parking lot, and it roared off while in front of the crowd.<br /> "It seems that my sister has been living a good life these years! She could enjoy such a rich life without any help from the family."<br /> Bruce did not reply.<br /> During the four years when Joanna had been gone, for various reasons, Bruce did not marry Roxanne. Moreover, with these four years, he realized that Roxanne was simply not the one for him.<br /> The only reason that he did not break up with Roxanne was because of his family. The Haynes family was a wealthy one, but it was nothing compared with the Everetts. However, the elders of both families were close friends. That was why the Everett family had always been taking care of the Haynes family.<br /> Except for that, there was another crucial reason. Ten years ago, Bruce nearly drowned while he swam, and it was Roxanne who saved him. Ever since then, he swore that he would love and protect this girl for the rest of his life.<br /> "Joann has always been striving since she was just a kid. She is smart and good with men, too. See her fancy clothes and car? She must have hooked up with some wealthy fellow again. Unlike her, Roxy, you are always stupid and innocent, and people all try to take advantage of you." Ingrid seemed to be praising Joanna, but it was not hard to recognize what she was implying.<br /> "Mom, what are you talking about?"<br /> "Oh, I just want you to learn from Joann. Do you see how good she's been doing? Girls like her are never for us to be worried about wherever she goes. There aren't many girls as smart as her anymore."<br /> Bruce somehow was a little upset. "Ingrid, Roxy, I must go now. I have an important meeting tonight."<br /> "Yeah, sure. Drive safe, alright?" said Ingrid with a flattering smile, afraid of offending her daughter's promising husband-to-be.<br /> Bruce said nothing more, turned around, and got into a car...<br /> Having watched Bruce's car disappear, Roxanne stamped her foot in anger. She complained, "It's all your fault, Mom! You should never have put that bitch Joanna in Bruce's bed six years ago. Bruce never mentions marrying me again. And now that Joanna's back, what are we gonna do?"<br /> Ingrid gritted her teeth grumpily. What her daughter complained about was what Ingrid regretted the most.<br /> She had it all well-designed six years ago.<br /> First, she had Joanna drugged. Then she sent the girl straight to Bruce's room, convinced that Bruce was too drunk to do anything.<br /> After that, Ingrid informed a group of Paparazzi, suggesting they write a drama about how Joanna threw herself in her brother-in-law's arms. Ingrid did so because she was expecting that once Joanna had brought dishonor to the family, the girl would be deprived of the right of inheritance.<br /> Yet she did not expect that it would backfire.<br /> Bruce actually slept with Joanna.<br /> And then things got out of her hands. Under the pressure of Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett, Bruce ended up getting married to Joanna.<br /> Thinking of this, Ingrid said, "I did it for you, silly girl. Damn it, all because of your grandfather! That old shit has always favored that Joanna. Well, now that the old man's dead, let's see who can stand up for her this time"<br /> "But mom..." Roxanne was still worried.<br /> Even though Bruce had been good to her for years, she could see the frigidity in his eyes.<br /> The man seldom smiled ever since he divorced Joanna.<br /> Over the years, he had totally become a workaholic. Sometimes it took three or two months for Roxanne to see him around once.<br /> "Don't worry. That idiot Joanna is just as stupid as that dead mother of hers. We are falling out with her right now. Not until she gives up her share of the inheritance first..."<br /> Ten days later, it was Raymond's funeral.<br /> It was drizzling rain. All members of the Haynes family had arrived at the cemetery except for Joanna. On top of that, the finest people in Greyport also showed up to pay their respects.<br /> Not to mention the reporters that were gathering outside the cemetery.<br /> After all, Raymond Haynes was quite a big shot in Greyport. So, of course, his funeral was well-focused.<br /> "I heard Raymond willed the eldest daughter of the Haynes family to inherit the Haynes Group."<br /> "Oh, my god, that girl is really shrewd. She seduced her brother-in-law six years ago and forced her sister to leave. Then she became the one marrying into the Everett family instead of her sister, and now she's the director of the Haynes Group. That's impressive!"<br /> "Ha! So what? She's just a scheming woman. She was kicked out by the Everett family, wasn't she? Such a woman is simply disgusting."<br /> Ingrid was overjoyed when hearing the whispers of the crowd. Trying hard to maintain the sad look on her face, she said, "May I have your attention, please? First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming to Raymond's funeral, and..."<br /> A reporter cut in, "Mrs. Haynes, is it true that Joanna is going to take over the Haynes Group as the new leader?"<br /> Ingrid paused before replying, "I'm not gonna be disturbed by other things on this extremely distressing day. But for a company as big as the Haynes Group, one man's word alone can't take effect. We need a board meeting to pick the right executive director."<br /> "Mrs. Haynes, why isn't Joanna here on such an important day?"<br /> "Ha, that's the question you should ask her..."<br /> While she was saying, outside the cemetery suddenly came the sounds of engines.<br /> A stretch limo was making its way into the cemetery, followed by a fleet of Mercedes.<br /> "Look at that license plate. It seems to be Mr. Grimm's car!" The reporters went all excited and rushed towards the Rolls-Royce.<br /> Yes, that car belonged to Jaydon Grimm.<br /> There were two well-known wealthy young men in Greyport. One of them was Bruce Everett, and the other was Jaydon Grimm.<br /> He was the second son of the casino magnate in Venturas City, and he also ran an entertainment company called Starlight Media. Several new top stars in the showbiz were all artists under his company's control.<br /> Unlike Bruce, who kept a low profile, Jaydon had always been a man of publicity.<br /> The doors of the Rolls-Royce were opened slowly, and Jaydon stepped out first.<br /> "Wow, it's really Mr. Grimm!" The press swarmed forward like flies smelling blood.<br /> After Jaydon got out of the car, he turned to the other side and helped a woman who was dressed all in black out of the car like a real gentleman.<br /> "Is this...? Wow, it's Joanna Haynes!"<br /> "You gotta be kidding. What is Grimm doing with a woman like her?"<br /> As they were all astonished, one by one, came out two adorable kids wearing tiny black suits.<br /> The boys should be at the age of 3 to 4.<br /> And it was like a bomb, igniting everyone's interest.<br /> --------------------------------------------------------<br /> There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading 📜The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife📜<br /> (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app)	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgf	101489936134366	OasisStory	https://facebook.com/100087803393468	2,960	1	780,541,317,416,496	2023-11-26 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn more	OasisStory	120201632036590115	www.yumread.com	NONE	video		https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/zr4wz22vk2vgfnk3razknkvu?ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}		2023-11-23 21:30	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405788386_881775970139987_1822419931548237970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vn7TYEQUiAcAX9n2j6j&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCSr0bKLIwYclrlxj0eZbISEnBO3dzjfpc8n7frl7gCEQ&oe=6592B346	person_profile	OasisStory	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/404318331_1063413041746293_3100961399915045145_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YifOoVQaASEAX-XpoCP&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBWOw-ZP4uJnGI-87cXJdG-HyGpkmvfFvaDTz_dsu3kbQ&oe=6591AE8A	3	OasisStory	2023-11-25 02:00	View Edit Delete
68,920	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":68916}'	No	2023-12-28 04:42	active	67	1264285984252598	The Return of the War Legate	After seven years of bloodbath, the most decorated soldier returns to the capital.“Whatever was taken from me, I will take back a thousand fold!”<br /> Chapter 1<br /> Swallowston, the biggest city in Navia.<br /> <br /> Something astounding happened.<br /> <br /> A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.<br /> <br /> The person was rumored to be a bigshot, the protector of Swallowston, bearing the title of “War Legate.”<br /> <br /> “Welcome back, War Legate!” a roar came from the pier where ten thousand soldiers were lined up, looking in high spirits.<br /> <br /> A young man disembarked from the ship. He looked majestic with his head held high. He had an air of confidence that could change the mood of wherever he went and seemed unbeatable.<br /> <br /> The man was a legend in the military and a hero of the country. He was given the title of “War Legate” and was only second to one other person. He founded the Blood Corps which was sharp as a sword and was undefeatable. <br /> <br /> This man was a legend. <br /> <br /> “General Summers, have you found out what happened?” Adrian Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.<br /> <br /> Seven years ago, he left the Xander family behind in Swallowston. Adrian’s father, Henry Xander, was a merchant and had established the Paraiso Group, the biggest corporation in Swallowston. Unfortunately, his father passed away after catching an incurable disease. <br /> <br /> To ensure that Adrian takes over Paraiso, Henry arranged a fiancee for him so that he would wed and start his own family. But the day after his wedding to Samantha Cowell, Adrian’s grandfather, Harold Xander, used his position as his guardian to pull some strings so Adrian, who was not yet eighteen, was shipped off to the army base at the border.<br /> <br /> It was the most dangerous location to be at.<br /> <br /> What Harold hoped was that his grandson would not return from the border so he could obtain Paraiso and give it to his two other sons. He never expected Adrian to return. <br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Daniel Summers, the general, replied, “Your father’s company has been bought over by the Xander Group. Currently, your eldest uncle is running it. Your grandfather is the chairman.”<br /> <br /> “Just as I predicted. My father’s company is now theirs.” Adrian smirked. <br /> <br /> Harold’s favorite had always been Adrian’s eldest uncle, but Adrian never thought that his grandfather would go to such lengths for him.<br /> <br /> Daniel said, “It’s your grandfather’s seventieth birthday today and there will be a party at Xander Manor. Your mother and sister will be in attendance. Do you plan on going?”<br /> <br /> “Tell him that the war legate will be personally attending his birthday celebration to wish him a happy birthday.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> *<br /> That evening, at Xander Manor.<br /> <br /> It was Harold Xander’s seventieth birthday. There were three tables ladened with food in the dining area.<br /> <br /> Harold sat at the head of the table and was surrounded by his family.<br /> <br /> “Grandfather, this is a crystal statuette of Zeus I got for you. It’s worth four thousand dollars.”<br /> <br /> “Father, I got these tea leaves from the highlands, and they’re worth four thousand and five hundred dollars.”<br /> <br /> Everyone started presenting their gifts to him.<br /> <br /> Harold nodded. “Thank you all.”<br /> <br /> “Father, can you lend me some money, please? Adaline is in university and I need a bit more to pay her tuition.”<br /> <br /> Someone’s question ended the wholesome scene. Everyone looked toward the mother and daughter at the corner of the room.<br /> <br /> It was Adrian’s mother, Rue Blanchet. The woman in her twenties sitting next to her, was Adrian’s sister, Adaline.<br /> <br /> Rue had not planned on borrowing money from Harold, but her daughter got into a famous university and she needed more money for the tuition fees.<br /> <br /> “Rue Blanchet, did you bring your daughter along just to borrow money?”<br /> <br /> “It’s Father’s birthday today. Not only did you not bring a present, but you’re also asking for money?”<br /> <br /> “The family pays for all your food and lodging, and you’re asking for more money?” Cecilia White, the elder daughter-in-law spoke.<br /> <br /> Everyone frowned and looked annoyed too.<br /> <br /> “Rue, you don’t borrow money from someone on their birthday. You’ll ruin the celebration.”<br /> <br /> “Exactly, Rue. How much of our family’s money have you spent already?”<br /> <br /> Tears welled up in Rue’s eyes as she was assaulted by everyone’s angry taunts. She did not want to borrow money from them, but she was a single mother. She was not capable of paying the fees.<br /> <br /> Rue started crying and said, “Father, I beg you. Adaline tried so hard to get into a good university and Adrian is not around. I can’t let her down!” Rue begged and almost got to her knees.<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. You’re such a killjoy!” Leonard Xander, the eldest of the Xander siblings, said in disgust.<br /> <br /> Everyone present was disgusted at Rue’s request, but they had forgotten that the Xanders would not have become who they were now if not because of Paraiso.<br /> <br /> “Father, I’m begging you. Please help me…” Rue’s face was covered in tears and she got on her knees.<br /> <br /> “Mother!”<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Adaline stepped forward to grab her mother and angrily said, “Why are you kneeling? Can you have some self-respect? If they don’t want to lend us the money, forget it. We don’t need their money.”<br /> <br /> Adaline was crying too.<br /> <br /> Ever since her father’s death, she no longer lived a lavish life. She had nothing left.<br /> <br /> Her brother, Adrian, disappeared seven years ago and could not be contacted. Her grandfather then stole her father’s Paraiso Group.<br /> <br /> Harold had always favored his two older sons. Following Henry’s death, he mistreated Rue and Adaline, so why would these two ask him for money?<br /> <br /> “Get up!” Adaline yelled out through her tears. She did not want to see her mother in such a situation.<br /> <br /> However, Rue refused to get up for the sake of Adaline’s education. She said, “Father, please. Henry is no longer with us, but Adaline is still your granddaughter.”<br /> <br /> <br /> Harold frowned.<br /> <br /> He took over Paraiso to make the Xander family stronger. He was afraid of Adrian’s return or Adaline doing well after she finished her studies. If either of them made it in life, they would surely take revenge on the Xanders.<br /> <br /> Harold knew that his two older sons were not particularly bright, so he had to lay things out for them.<br /> <br /> “We’ll talk about this another day. It’s my birthday today. I don’t want to deal with this.”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Rue grew anxious and planned to continue begging.<br /> <br /> Adaline cried and said, “Mother, get up. Stop begging them. I’d rather not go to university than be treated like this!”<br /> <br /> Neither Leonard nor any of the other family members planned to help.<br /> <br /> Henry, the third son, was already deceased. His widow and daughter were looked down upon.<br /> <br /> But suddenly…<br /> <br /> “Father, good news, good news!”<br /> <br /> Harold’s second son, Wilfred Xander, ran in. “Father, I just got word that the war legate is coming to see you and will be here in ten minutes!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> “What? The war legate is coming?” Everyone’s eyes grew wide upon hearing the news.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, who is this war legate? Was he the one…” Leonard was in awe.<br /> <br /> There was only one person who held that title in all of Navia—the leader of the Blood Corps. There was no other like him.<br /> <br /> The entire city of Swallowston had to accommodate the man’s every move today.<br /> <br /> “Who else? Of course, it’s the Bellum Legate who had a ten thousand soldier-strong blockade today.”<br /> <br /> “Heavens, he’s coming to our home?”<br /> <br /> “Grandfather is so famous that even the legate is coming to see him?”<br /> <br /> The legate was well-known among the citizens, but few had ever seen him.<br /> <br /> “The gods are smiling upon our family.” Harold raised his hands. “Ever since Henry’s death, our family has been blessed with wave after wave of prosperity. Even the legate is coming to celebrate my birthday!”<br /> <br /> Everyone present was excited. What had they done to deserve attention from the legate?<br /> <br /> The Xanders were overjoyed.<br /> <br /> <br /> “Father, the legate is almost here. We need to prepare for his arrival. Should we kick this pair out so that he doesn’t see the shame of the family?” Cecelia said that as she looked toward Rue and Adaline.<br /> <br /> Leonard chimed in, “Cecelia is right. The legate is coming, and we have to welcome him properly. Rue, please take your daughter and leave at once. Don’t bring shame upon us. If the legate gets angry, our family might not survive. This isn’t a joke.”<br /> <br /> Rue stood there, stunned. She just wanted to borrow some money. But instead of getting any, she was humiliated.<br /> <br /> When Adaline heard them, she said, “Mother, let’s go. We’re not welcome here.”<br /> <br /> Rue’s face was covered in tears because she felt devastated and helpless. She had two children. She failed to protect her eldest, Adrian, and his whereabouts were unknown.<br /> <br /> Her daughter, on the other hand, managed to get into university, but she had no money for the tuition.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Henry. I’ve let the children down,” Rue cried. She shuddered, remembering her husband’s dying wish.<br /> <br /> “Why are you still crying here? You’re disgusting. Leave. Now!” When Leonard saw her crying, his anger rose.<br /> <br /> Though the legate was not there yet, how could she be crying at their father’s birthday party?<br /> <br /> He walked forward to shove the mother and daughter.<br /> <br /> <br /> But at that moment, before Leonard could shove her, someone rushed over and threw a mean punch to his face.<br /> <br /> “Argh!”<br /> <br /> The fist connected with Leonard’s face and a few teeth went flying.<br /> <br /> Before the Xanders realized what was happening, a man was standing before Rue and Adaline. The man was tall, brawny, and had a fierce demeanor.<br /> <br /> “Who are you?!” Wilfred, Harold’s second son, yelled.<br /> <br /> “Take a good look and you’ll know.”<br /> <br /> The young man turned around and walked toward the Xanders. Everyone took a good look and was overcome with anxiety because they recognized him.<br /> <br /> “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Everyone was shocked. They never imagined that Adrian would show up and hit Leonard in the face.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored them and turned to face Rue and Adaline. The three looked at each other and Rue was stunned.<br /> <br /> Why did this tall, muscular man look so much like her son who went missing seven years ago?<br /> <br /> No, it was not just a lookalike, it was really him!<br /> <br /> “Adrian!” Rue exclaimed as she started tearing up. She spread her arms wide and ran over to him, locking him into a tight hug. Adrian hugged her back as his heart warmed.<br /> <br /> “I’m home, Mother,” Adrian said, “I’m sorry you had to wait for so long.”<br /> <br /> “You’re alive? You’re actually alive?” Rue caressed Adrian’s face.<br /> <br /> There was a long ongoing war at the border and Adrian had gone missing. She tried to look for him at Wellborough over the years, but no one knew where he went. She thought that he had died.<br /> <br /> “I’m alive,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> “You’re so much taller and stronger now,” Rue said.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded.<br /> <br /> After letting go of his mother, he spread his arms as he walked over to his sister. “Adaline, your brother is back.”<br /> <br /> He wanted to give her a warm hug, but what he got instead was a slap to the face.<br /> <br /> Adaline scolded him, “You ungrateful prick! How dare you return! Do you know how much Mother has suffered through the years?! Where were you when everything happened?!”<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Adaline, stop that. Your brother must have his reasons.”<br /> <br /> Adrian’s heart ached. He knew that his sister would not forgive him.<br /> <br /> <br /> Adrian did not say anything more to Rue and Adaline. He turned around to face the Xanders once more. Then, he smirked.<br /> <br /> Leonard nursed his face as he got up from the floor and yelled, “Adrian, how could you hit me?! I’m your uncle!”<br /> <br /> “Why not?” Adrian raised his hand and gave Leonard a slap.<br /> <br /> That threw Leonard back to the floor again.<br /> <br /> Everyone was stunned, including Rue and Adaline. They never thought that Adrian was such a ruthless man.<br /> <br /> Leonard stood up again and took a step back, not daring the step forward anymore.<br /> <br /> Adrian scoffed. “Grandfather, you keep coddling your two older sons and even gave them what your third son built. They’ve enjoyed it for years, so I think it’s time I take everything back.”<br /> <br /> Harold frowned. Though he was not sure how Adrian had survived, he was furious at Adrian’s accusational tone.<br /> <br /> Harold said coldly, “Adrian, don’t you have any respect for your grandfather? How could you hit your uncle? Tell me, what have you achieved after these seven years?”<br /> <br /> Leonard was still covering his face. “Father, there’s no need to talk to him. The war legate will be here at any moment. We need to kick them out.”<br /> <br /> Harold suddenly remembered this, and it was clear that the legate was his top priority. He immediately said, “Take your mother and sister with you and leave. We have to attend to an important person. We have no time for you.”<br /> <br /> Adrian looked at them. “Seeing as you’re my grandfather, I’ll give you a month to prepare.<br /> <br /> “After that, you shall return to me the Paraiso Group that belonged to my father, or I will tear down the Xanders. Remember. One month.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> After saying that, Adrian left Xander Manor with his mother and sister.<br /> <br /> There was no reason for him to stay any longer.<br /> <br /> <br /> Once they left, Cecelia said, “He thinks he’s so important after having been in the army for only seven years? He thinks he can tear down our family? What a joke.”<br /> <br /> Everyone burst out laughing.<br /> <br /> “Wilfred, can you find out when the legate will be arriving?” Harold put the matter aside and asked his son.<br /> <br /> “Yes, Father.” Wilfred nodded, then quickly called the person who had contacted him earlier.<br /> <br /> The Xanders started getting ready. The women put on makeup so they could present their best selves to the legate.<br /> <br /> After some time, Wildred turned to his father awkwardly. “Father, they said that he was here and just left.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Harold was worried.<br /> <br /> He came and left? Why?<br /> <br /> He turned to look at them and anxiously asked, “Did you see anyone come in?”<br /> <br /> “No one else other than Adrian.” Everyone shrugged.<br /> <br /> Harold took a deep breath. Did he miss his chance for a big break?<br /> <br /> “Father, my guess is that the legate got here, saw Adrian and his family, then left because he was upset,” Leonard said, still holding his face.<br /> <br /> “He must think that we’re a bunch of ruffians after seeing Adrian hit Leonard, so he left,” Cecelia and the others chimed in.<br /> <br /> Harold angrily thumped his chest and howled, “Adrian, you're a curse to this family!”<br /> <br /> <br /> Adrian, Rue, and Adaline arrived home.<br /> <br /> The house was not very big—just a two-bedroom house. Even though it was old, it was spotless.<br /> <br /> “Mother, have you stayed here all this time?” Adrian asked as he looked around.<br /> Rue nodded. “Son, after you were shipped off, your grandfather took away Paraiso from us and tied it to the Xander Group. You know that I’m not good with business and don’t know much about culture, so your uncle, Leonard, took the house. He’s staying there now.”<br /> <br /> Henry, Adrian’s father, had left behind a mansion upon his death.<br /> <br /> Adrian took a deep breath. He was unaware that his mother and sister had a tough life.<br /> <br /> “Where have you been?” Rue asked.<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Rue was a woman, so she might not be able to accept that her son was the War Legate. He decided to bring up his real identity when he got a better chance in the future.<br /> <br /> Adrian said, “I couldn’t come back because Wellborough was under siege, but I’m back now. I won’t let you or Adaline suffer anymore.”<br /> <br /> Rue smiled happily. He was her son. There was finally a man in the house to support them.<br /> <br /> “I hope that you’re good enough,” Adaline said coldly, then stormed off to her room.<br /> <br /> “Adaline—”<br /> <br /> Rue wanted to call her back, but Adrian stopped her. He then said, “She hates me, so there’s no point arguing with her over it. I’ll explain to her over time.”<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. Her son had not been back in seven years. Only she as his mother would not hate him. Adaline held a huge grudge.<br /> <br /> <br /> “By the way, Mother, where’s Samantha?” Adrian suddenly asked.<br /> <br /> Samantha Cowell was his wife. She married him when she was nineteen, but the day after their wedding, Adrian was sent away to war and they lost contact.<br /> <br /> Samantha was from the Cowell family of Swallowston. Her grandpa, John Cowell, was close friends with Henry Xander.<br /> <br /> John and Henry were the ones who had arranged Adrian and Samathan’s marriage.<br /> <br /> “The child had it tough too,” Rue said, “Soon after your wedding, her grandfather passed away. I told her to remarry, but she said that she will stay loyal to her husband. She said that she’s your wife and that she will stay that way.<br /> <br /> “Her grandmother insisted that she remarry, but she rejected it. That made her family kick her out.”<br /> <br /> Adrian sighed. Samantha was a silly woman that had been waiting for him all this time.<br /> <br /> Rue continued, “After that, she started a company with her friend and it was doing quite well. Our lives got better, but something happened to her company recently, so she’s still at the office.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, go pick her up. She’ll be delighted to see that you’re back.”<br /> <br /> He nodded. She was someone he owed a lot to for being a single married woman for the past seven years. After their wedding, they spent only two short days together, so Adrian had not even touched her yet.<br /> <br /> These seven years must have been hard for her.<br /> <br /> <br /> That night, at the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> Bailar was a small fashion company that was co-founded by Samantha and her best friend, Joanna DuPont.<br /> <br /> Adrian got to the building and looked up, feeling excited. After seven years, he was not sure how to face Samantha.<br /> <br /> It was late at night and all the employees had left. The entire building was dark. Only the lights in one of the offices were still on.<br /> <br /> He guessed that it was Samantha’s office and that she was working overtime.<br /> <br /> “I’m here, Sam.” He was excited.<br /> <br /> When he stepped into the office, two men in suits suddenly walked out from the shadows.<br /> <br /> “The office is closed. Which department do you work in? Why are you here at this hour?” The men stopped him.<br /> <br /> Adrian paused, then looked at them.<br /> <br /> They seemed like good fighters and were not the building’s security. Rue had told him that the company was not capable of hiring security guards.<br /> <br /> “I’m here to see someone,” Adrian replied.<br /> <br /> The men looked at each other. One of them said, “At this hour? Here to see Samantha Cowell I presume? She’s the only one here, after all.”<br /> <br /> Adrian was surprised because the bodyguards seemed to be paying special attention to Samantha.<br /> <br /> “What do you mean?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> The bodyguards said, “She’s having a chat with Mr. Devin. The company is closed right now. No one is allowed to enter.”<br /> <br /> Adrian paused. How was this possible? Rue said that Samantha had been waiting for his return. Was it all just a show?<br /> <br /> <br /> Adrian was annoyed because Samantha was not loyal to him.<br /> <br /> She was meeting a man so late at night?<br /> <br /> So much for Rue appreciating her.<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath and walked forward.<br /> <br /> “Are you deaf or do you want to get a beating?” The two men grew angry.<br /> <br /> They were Devin Williams’ bodyguards and had been instructed to guard the building entrance. They rushed over because Adrian insisted on going in.<br /> <br /> But in the blink of an eye, the two bodyguards were howling in pain as they fell to the ground.<br /> <br /> “I’m coming for you, Samantha Cowell.” Adrian stepped over the two men and continued walking.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> The two men said that Samantha and someone named Mr. Devin were spending time alone in her office. But from what Rue said, Samantha was a loyal woman.<br /> <br /> Why would a woman like that do what she was doing? Was there some sort of misunderstanding?<br /> <br /> Adrian went up to the office.<br /> <br /> <br /> CEO’s office, the Bailar Group.<br /> <br /> A beautiful woman sat in the office. She had long hair and a nice figure. She was elegant and had a pair of long, slender legs that were crossed under the desk.<br /> <br /> That was Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> Her company had been kicked out of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce because of sabotage from competitors, and she was accused of wrongdoing. To avoid going to jail, she was forced to give her company away.<br /> <br /> That night was her last night at the office. Years of hard work were going to disappear, so she was feeling upset.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, have you signed the agreement?”<br /> <br /> The door of her office opened and a middle-aged man walked in. He smiled and asked her after walking in.<br /> <br /> The man was Devin Williams, the owner of the Williams Group that was a part of Alyanz.<br /> <br /> He had always wanted Samantha for himself but she had rejected him multiple times. He had worked together with the cousin of Alyanz’s chairman to force Samantha into a corner.<br /> <br /> They made Samantha donate her company away.<br /> <br /> “Here’s the agreement. There’s no longer any debt between us.” Samantha stood up when she saw Devin enter and handed the agreement to him. “After midnight, the company will be yours.”<br /> <br /> “But before that, you need to leave!” she yelled as she pointed at the door.<br /> <br /> Devin did not leave, but instead walked over to the couch and took a seat.<br /> <br /> He lit up a cigarette. “Ms. Samantha, you know what I want isn’t your company. What I want is you.”<br /> <br /> Devin was obsessed with Samantha’s figure, and his kink was that he was into married women. He knew that Samantha was married and her husband used to be well-known in Swallowston.<br /> <br /> “I’ve given you what you want, so stop dreaming. Besides, I’m married.” Samantha stood up and packed her things.<br /> <br /> If he was not going to leave, she would. The man disgusted her.<br /> <br /> However, Devin said, “Your deadbeat husband is probably dead. Samantha, I’m showing you respect. If I don’t, you’d be nobody.”<br /> <br /> He blocked Samantha’s path of exit.<br /> <br /> Samantha wanted to ignore him and yelled, “Get out of my way!”<br /> <br /> Devin took a drag of his cigarette and smiled. “What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do? You’re not going to win this, Samantha Cowell.<br /> <br /> “I have connections throughout Swallowston. Even the legate who arrived today dined with me. There’s no one more powerful than me in this city.”<br /> <br /> Devin did not even wince as he lied. He never met the legate anyway.<br /> <br /> Samantha did not want to entertain him so she tried to push him away. However, before she could, a voice rang out.<br /> <br /> “The legate dined with you? I don’t remember doing that.”<br /> <br /> There was a bang and the door was kicked open. Adrian walked in.<br /> <br /> Devin saw him and immediately frowned. “Who are you? Have you met the man?”<br /> <br /> <br /> Adrian ignored Devin and walked up to Samantha.<br /> <br /> She saw someone enter and was curious about who it was, so she took a closer look at him. She could not recognize him as the last time she saw him was seven years ago, and she had only spent two days with him.<br /> <br /> Adrian recognized her though. He would always remember her face.<br /> <br /> “Samantha, do you remember me?” Adrian asked as he touched her face.<br /> <br /> Samantha was surprised. She took a good long look at him after he said that.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, a flash of recognition went through her mind and she froze. “A-Adrian?”<br /> <br /> Samantha recognized the healthy-looking face and familiar expressions. It was her husband, Adrian Xander!<br /> <br /> She started tearing up.<br /> <br /> “Sam, it’s me, I’m back.” Adrian excitedly said.<br /> <br /> Samantha was shocked. Her tears started falling and she covered her mouth. She could not believe her eyes. This was the man that she had been thinking about day and night.<br /> <br /> Seven years. It had been seven years!<br /> <br /> “Aren’t you ashamed to come back?” Samantha suddenly slapped him and said through her tears.<br /> <br /> Adrian felt a mix of emotions and did not know what to say. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Samantha had done a lot for his family, but he had suspected her of cheating on him.<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, Sam,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Samantha took a deep breath. She thought that her life would pass just like that and that she would forever be a widow while taking care of her mother-in-law and making money to send her sister-in-law to university. She never imagined that her husband would one day return.<br /> <br /> “You think apologizing is good enough?!” she cried, “Adrian Xander, you’re nothing but trash! You owe me! You owe the entire family! I won’t forgive you! You left me for seven years! I will never forgive you!”<br /> <br /> Adrian never expected her to forgive him. He only hoped that he could use the rest of his life to repay her.<br /> <br /> He said, “Sam, go home. I’ll settle this and go home to you. You can then hit me and yell at me all you want. I won’t retaliate.”<br /> <br /> Samantha took a look at Devin, paused, then turned and walked out of the office. <br /> <br /> <br /> After she left, Adrian’s face fell. He turned to face Devin.<br /> <br /> Devin understood what was going on and smiled. “I know. You’re Henry Xander’s son, Adrian. Samantha’s husband.”<br /> <br /> “You want to sleep with my wife?” Adrian asked.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha!” Devin threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you know. I’m part of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. I’m pretty powerful around these parts. We even managed to take Samantha’s company away from her, but what are you going to do about it?<br /> <br /> “I have an in with the war legate too. Your wife is lucky that I’m interested in her.”<br /> <br /> Devin had heard of Adrian. Ever since Henry’s passing, the family fell apart. Adrian was sent away to the army at the border and did not seem to have made any improvements since then.<br /> <br /> When Adrian heard Devin’s proud tone, he laughed. “The war legate huh? Sure. I’ll show you who the real war legate is.”<br /> <br /> He then pulled out his phone. “General Summers, bring some men to the Bailar Group.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> Adrian hung up and sat down to wait.<br /> <br /> After Devin heard what Adrian said, he chuckled. He knew that Daniel was a big shot in Swallowston and that he was the general who worked under the legate. That meant that if he stomped his feet, the city would shake.<br /> <br /> Devin thought that Adrian was just pretending to call Daniel. It was probably a fake number.<br /> <br /> “Hahaha! Henry was a genius. Too bad his son isn’t.” Devin continued to laugh.<br /> <br /> He knew very well what happened to the Xanders since he was a local of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> Devin said, “Sure, I’ll wait with you. I’d like to see if you can really bring Daniel Summers here.”<br /> <br /> He then sat down on the couch, lit another cigarette, and crossed his legs.<br /> <br /> Adrian ignored him and closed his eyes to rest.<br /> <br /> Within ten minutes, just as Devin was arrogantly enjoying his cigarette, the door of the office was kicked open again and Daniel, who was in uniform, walked in. Devin was shocked.<br /> <br /> Behind Daniel was the richest man in Swallowston, Damien Holland, owner of the biggest bank in Swallowston, and some of the most affluent men in the city. There were more than a dozen people.<br /> <br /> “Get on your knees!” Daniel commanded and Devin fell to his knees in fright as his body shook.<br /> <br /> Daniel was the right-hand man to the strongest warrior. Swallowston was under the state of Dragonshire, and Dragonshire’s battle warrior was Lucas Jenner. Lucas was the protector of Swallowston.<br /> <br /> What did Devin do to offend such an important person? His face fell as he looked up with fear in his eyes.<br /> <br /> Daniel walked over to Adrian and said, “What are your orders, Legate?”<br /> <br /> “What? Legate?”<br /> <br /> No way.<br /> <br /> Devin was devastated and started falling apart. He cried and knocked his head on the floor repeatedly. “Le-Lagate, I’m so sorry for offending you! Please spare me!”<br /> <br /> His skull almost cracked open. He had no clue that Adrian was the war legate, and he had actually lied to Adrian about having a meal with him.<br /> <br /> “From now on, this person will cease to exist in Swallowston,” Adrian said to Daniel as he stood up.<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir,” Daniel replied.<br /> <br /> Adrian meant to have Devin killed. Why would he let off the man who tried to sleep with his wife while he was not around?<br /> <br /> Devin lost his mind and knocked his head on the ground so hard he started bleeding. “Please spare me, Legate. I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he exclaimed through his tears, his voice filled with regret.<br /> <br /> Daniel ordered Devin pinned down to the floor and Adrian did not pay him any attention. He said to Daniel, “Procure the Bailar Group. I’ll tell you what to do with it later.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Adrian walked out without saying another word.<br /> <br /> Daniel and the influential people of Swallowston all bowed and said, “Goodbye, Legate!”<br /> <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, after exiting the building, Samantha paused at the doors.<br /> <br /> She was worried about Adrian, but when she remembered how he had left her for seven years, her heart broke. That was why she did not stay and went straight home.<br /> <br /> If he could not even take care of Devin Williams, what was the point of him coming back?<br /> <br /> Bailar would no longer belong to her anyway.<br /> <br /> “You’re home, Sam. Come, wash your hands, and have some food.”<br /> <br /> Rue had food ready for her when she got home.<br /> <br /> Samantha shook her head and said, “I’m not hungry, so I won’t be eating. I’m really tired. I'm going to take a shower.”<br /> <br /> Her mind was filled with the thought of Adrian and could not cheer up. On top of that, Bailar was going to be taken over. She was about to lose her income and company. She would be like a worm trying to get by.<br /> <br /> How could she cheer up?<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she did not know what to say.<br /> <br /> Adaline, who was sitting on the couch, stood up and spoke to Samantha. “Sam, have you seen Adrian? He went to the office to find you.”<br /> <br /> Samantha nodded. “I did, but I don’t want to deal with him.”<br /> <br /> She then went into her bedroom to get her clothes and got into the shower.<br /> <br /> Adaline did not say anything because she felt the same way.<br /> <br /> <br /> Soon after that, Adrian returned.<br /> <br /> When he saw Rue and Adaline in the living room, he asked, “Mom, is Sam back?”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded. “Yes, she’s asleep.<br /> <br /> “Adrian, she may hate you for disappearing for years, but don’t hold it against her.”<br /> <br /> Rue knew that her daughter-in-law had been through a lot and had paid for Adaline’s studies and their spending with her earnings from Bailar.<br /> <br /> What woman would do such a thing? Who would be willing to help her husband’s sister? Any other woman would probably have remarried.<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled and said, “She must feel terrible after losing Bailar, but it’s fine. Things will improve now that I’m back.”<br /> <br /> Rue nodded.<br /> <br /> However, Adaline glared at Adrian and then scoffed. “If you really had power, you would have gone to Celine and gotten the company back. Otherwise, shut up!”<br /> <br /> “Celine? Who’s that?” Adrian did not know this person.<br /> <br /> Rue chided Adaline. “Don’t say that, Ada. Celine is a busy woman. Don’t get your brother in trouble.”<br /> <br /> Adaline scoffed and rolled her eyes.<br /> <br /> Adrian looked toward Rue and asked her who Celine was.<br /> <br /> Rue replied, “Celine Blanche is the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce. Alyanz is the biggest chamber of commerce in Swallowston. She’s also Devin Williams’s cousin. She was the one who worked with Devin to bankrupt Samantha’s company.<br /> <br /> “Celine has planned for an agreement signing event tomorrow. I’m guessing that Sam will attend it because, based on her personality, she won’t accept defeat.”<br /> Rue sighed. “However, Alyanz is very powerful. There’s no way to win against them.”<br /> <br /> After hearing that, Adrian understood what happened.<br /> <br /> Devin wanted to teach Samantha a lesson, so he got help from Celine to tear down Bailar.<br /> <br /> Adrian nodded. “All right, I will destroy Alyanz by tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “What’s the point of saying that? I haven’t seen you achieve anything in the past seven years,” Adaline said with a disgusted look on her face. She then got up and went to her room.<br /> <br /> Rue said, “Ada, Adrian’s your older brother. You can’t say that.”<br /> <br /> “It’s fine. This is all my fault,” Adrian said.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed. She did not know what to say. She spoke to Adrian a little, then cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.<br /> <br /> Adrian made a call. “General Summers, inform the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce that the war legate will be attending their agreement signing event tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> Adrian gave a few more instructions before hanging up the call.<br /> <br /> “Celine Blanche… You’ll pay with your life.”<br /> <br /> *<br /> The next day, Adrian got up early and prepared breakfast.<br /> <br /> When Rue woke up and saw what he had done, she was shocked. “Adrian, why did you…”<br /> <br /> He smiled. One of the reasons he came home was to try and lessen her burden.<br /> <br /> “Breakfast is ready. Could you wake Ada and Sam for breakfast please?” he asked.<br /> <br /> Rue sighed because she no longer recognized her son. However, she was relieved that he was back. She did not plan to ask for more.<br /> <br /> Soon after, Adaline and Samantha stirred and walked out of their rooms.<br /> <br /> Upon seeing that Adrian had made breakfast, Samantha was surprised, but it soon turned into disappointment. She was disappointed because she thought that was the only thing he planned to do upon his return.<br /> <br /> “Sam, have some breakfast,” Adrian said to her.<br /> <br /> Adaline walked over and sat down on the couch. “If all you learned these past seven years was to cook, you’re pretty much useless. Is this all you’re capable of?”<br /> <br /> Adrian smiled sadly but did not say anything in return.<br /> <br /> Samantha sat down and spoke to Rue. “Mother, I’ll be heading to Alyanz later to find Celine. I want to get my company back. Ada will be going off to university soon. We can’t s	DOWNLOAD	https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?languag	100293226489497	Fane Wood	https://facebook.com/100095108408459	2,255	1	837,289,741,481,139	2023-11-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Download	Fane Wood	120201210414290123	enjoyab.com	NONE	image	A private cruise ship appeared on the horizon of the Swallowston Sea. Hundreds of fighter jets escorted the ship from the air while an aircraft carrier sailed behind it. Cars pulled over and onlookers were stopped behind a yellow line. All to open up a path for a legend.	https://enjoyab.com/nr_land_page/4224.html?language=en&timestamp=1699963857358&channelCode=NAENF1000047&bid=21000205112&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}		2023-11-28 05:43	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/406401670_6796601527114419_6525129402137693634_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mTp34lHD6kEAX_yhCC4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA4RBGbBn_yuYO-ZHwejMNbO8YhrbF8xK6_L_kcUptVdg&oe=6592F08C	person_profile	Fane Wood	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/405713599_352674360642592_4581674969548163814_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cCNvrXNnNVEAX8hBDDn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD1sBW9DUudwI3nIMwikc_-bABaFvtOMF_iTgprr32Wfw&oe=65921F18	3	Fane Wood	2023-11-28 02:00	View Edit Delete

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